Mahlon Blaine Time To Play Orig Pastel Painting For Dunninger '56 CA & NY

This listing was posted on Americanlisted.

Mahlon Blaine "Time To Play" Orig Pastel Painting "For Dunninger '56" CA & NY

Location:

Telford, PA

Description:

This painting by Mahlon Blaine is one of the more curious pieces in his repertoire and is being offered for sale publicly for the first time. Believed to be a partial "self-portrait," the painting features a soon to be fully nude woman about to get into bed, with a man positioned discretely in the foreground, in this case Blaine himself. Clothes are strewn throughout the room, empty glasses and a wine bottle sit on a bedside chair, two sets of shoes are off, and the viewer is invited to guess what is about to happen when the lights go out. The painting is inscribed to the artists leading patron, the magician, and mentalist Joseph Dunninger. It reads "For Dunninger Mahlon Blaine '56" . The painting reads an allegory to Blaines many escapades. Was the female figure a model, a prostitute, a find at a nearby watering hole? A cross sits on the wall above the bed offering a contrast to the shenanigans that are either likely about to take place or are a figment of the artists fantasy that he is portraying to his friend and patron. The decor of the simple room and hair styles of the female figure indicate this may be a memento of one of Blaine's trips to Mexico, maybe even a distant memory of a younger, more virile man. This Mahlon Blaine painting titled "Time To Play" is a rare find for collectors and art enthusiasts alike. Featuring an erotic self-portrait of the artist in bed with a woman that wasnt meant for public display but almost more of a letter to his friend and mentor Dunninger, saying look what I'm up to, don't you wish you were here. A rare dabling of his hyper-realistic style from his typical surrealist erotica the subject is now faced inward, on Blaine himself. This painting was created in 1956 using gouache pastels on paper and was affixed by the artist to a canvas backing. The piece measures 18 inches in height and 14 inches in length and is unframed. What sets this painting apart is the personalization that Blaine added to it, as it was created specifically for Dunninger. Blaine's signature and the year of production are also included in the lower right-hand corner. This is an original and one-of-a-kind piece. The painting is risqué, possiby fantasy and is a look into the artists' own inspiration for his erotica. If you're looking to add a unique and exceptional piece to your collection, this Mahlon Blaine painting may be the perfect fit.

Category:

Antiques

Posted:

March 24 on Americanlisted