Emmett Watson (American, 1893-1955), Dinner Guests

Oil on canvas, circa 1945-1955, signed at leaf below tree trunk, unframed.

Stretcher size 27 x 34 in.

Private Collection, Edenton, North Carolina

Emmett St. Clair Watson, Jr. was born in Richmond, Virginia, and began his artistic career at thirteen working for a local engraving company. By 1910 he was a staff artist, later serving as a cartographer in France during WWI. After the war, Watson established his own art studio in New York City, initially creating advertising and story illustrations.

By the late 1920s, Watson was painting covers for leading magazines, but after the 1929 stock market crash, he turned to pulp magazine work, where his bold compositions and vibrant color schemes became highly influential. As the economy recovered, he returned to top publications like The Saturday Evening Post, Life, Toronto Star and Progressive Farmer. During WWII, he designed patriotic posters and later focused on sporting and hunting illustrations for calendars, ads, and magazines. Watson died at age 62 in New Canaan, Connecticut.

Faint stretcher marks; minor stable craquelure; paint rubbing and abrading to perimeter of canvas.

Schedule Preview