Gene Pelham (American, 1909-2004), Rainy Beach Day

Oil on canvas, circa 1940s, an entry for a cover of a summer issue of the Saturday Evening Post signed at lower right, presented in a giltwood frame.

Stretcher size 40 x 31 in.; Frame dimensions 42 3/4 x 33 3/4 in.

Gene Pelham was an American illustrator and landscape painter, best known for his close collaboration with Norman Rockwell. Born in Brooklyn, New York, Pelham received formal artistic training in New York City before moving to Arlington, Vermont. There, by chance, he crossed paths with Rockwell, who had recently relocated to the area and hired Pelham as his studio assistant, prop wrangler, and model. Pelham appeared in several of Rockwell's iconic Saturday Evening Post covers, including “First Flower” (1947) and “Plumbers” (1951).

While assisting Rockwell, Pelham also pursued his own career in illustration, creating covers for The Saturday Evening Post and Collier’s, such as “New Chair” (1942). It was during this period that he likely painted this lot as an entry for a summer issue cover of the magazine. Though Pelham found it difficult to compete with Rockwell's commercial success, his behind-the-scenes contributions were essential to Rockwell’s process. As a result of their contributions, Arlington became home to several other prominent illustrators, including Mead Schaeffer, John Atherton, and George Hughes, forming an informal art colony that helped shaped the golden age of American magazine illustration.

Age cracking, some flaking to the top edge, surface grime, stretcher lines.