Signed lower right: Monte / Crews

Monte Crews (American, 1888-1946) 1939 World's Fair, Boys' Life magazine cover, July 1939 Oil on canvas 35 x 26 inches (88.9 x 66.0 cm) Signed lower right: Monte / Crews Property from the BSA Settlement Trust, Sold for the Benefit of Survivors of Childhood Sexual Abuse LITERATURE: Boys' Life Magazine, The Boy Scouts of America, February 1964, cover. Monte Crews' 1939 World's Fair, featured as the cover of Boys' Life magazine in July 1939, is a vibrant celebration of the Boy Scouts of America and the spirit of optimism represented by the World's Fair. Crews, a renowned American illustrator, had a talent for creating lively, detailed scenes that captured the imagination of readers and collectors alike. His work was regularly featured in magazines like Boys' Life, and he became widely recognized for his ability to blend narrative with dynamic composition, making each piece both engaging and memorable. The present work exemplifies Crews' artistic excellence, with its masterful use of color, composition, and attention to detail. The scene is alive with activity, as Boy Scouts, in their iconic uniforms, engage in various tasks in the foreground, while the futuristic structures of the fairground rise dramatically in the background. The contrast between the traditional values of scouting and the forward-looking vision of the 1939 World's Fair creates a powerful visual narrative that captures the energy of the era. The bold use of color and light emphasizes the sense of excitement and adventure, while the meticulous rendering of figures and architecture speaks to Crews' technical skill and dedication to realism. The 1939 New York World's Fair was an extraordinary event for both artists and the Boy Scouts. For artists like Crews, it provided a platform to explore themes of progress, innovation, and modernity, blending traditional artistic techniques with contemporary subject matter. The fair's theme, "The World of Tomorrow," reflected a hopeful vision for the future, and this optimism is evident in Crews' depiction of the fair. For the Boy Scouts, the fair was a significant event that highlighted their role in shaping the future of America's youth. Scouts participated in various activities at the fair, symbolizing the values of leadership, preparedness, and service. Crews captures this spirit in his painting, emphasizing the scouts' sense of camaraderie and adventure as they navigate both the fairgrounds and the broader world they were preparing to lead. Opening Bid: $1,000 HID12401132022 © 2024 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved

Unlined canvas. Faint 9 inch scratch extending through the right two figures. Faint stretcher bar lines visible. Minor abrasions along the white margin, not extending into the main composition. Two small 1/4 inch losses in the upper right corner, extending slightly into the sky. Image Dimensions (without white margin): 33 x 24.25 inches Framed Dimensions 36 X 27 Inches