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Robert Bernard Robinson, “The Hapless Fisherman”, O/C Painting, Ca. 1910s-1920s
$27,500
£20,828.70
€23,921.04
CA$38,536.49
A$41,896.94
CHF 22,213.80
MX$502,238.06
NOK 282,326.06
SEK 258,649.05
DKK 178,779.48
About the Item
American Realism
Robert Bernard Robinson
“The Hapless Fisherman”
Oil on Canvas
Circa 1910s-1920s
DIMENSIONS
20 × 16 in (50.8 × 40.6 cm)
ABOUT PAINTING
A humorous rural/domestic scene — a man in overalls, holding a fishing rod in one hand and a small bucket with, in all likelihood, a meager catch in the other, caught mid-gesture, hides from his wife around the corner of his own house, remaining invisible to his wife, while the woman leans out the window calling for him. This painting is most likely was an interior (story) illustration or an unpublished/commissioned narrative canvas, rather than a Post cover. Robinson did a lot of slice-of-life interiors with similar humorous domestic setups in the 1910s–30s, but many were never reproduced. This is a very interesting and definitely original Robert Robinson oil painting — stylistically consistent with his work for The Saturday Evening Post and other early 20th-century illustration markets. Robert Robinson painted numerous cover and story illustrations for The Saturday Evening Post, Collier’s, and other popular magazines between 1909 and 1930. This composition looks like it may have been an interior illustration (rather than a cover) — because of its vertical format and narrative intimacy. Possibly published in the 1910s or 1920s in a magazine short story. The subject matter is not only unusual but also causes an involuntary smile in the spectator. Paintings like this one were popular in magazines, calendars, and story illustrations during the 1920s–40s. They often captured slice-of-life moments with humor, irony, or moral undertones (e.g., shirking work, marital banter). This painting by Robert Bernard Robinson aligns perfectly with his body of work — he often painted rural or small-town characters with expressive faces.
STYLE
TECHNIQUE
Style: The painting has the hallmarks of early to mid-20th century American realism/illustration, with strong narrative content. The brushwork is naturalistic, focused on gesture and expression, not overly detailed. The figures are exaggerated slightly for storytelling impact, a technique common in magazine illustration and American scene painting. Robert Robinson was an illustrator and painter known for humorous genre scenes, frequently painting everyday American life with a humorous or narrative twist, which fits very well with this subject.
Technique: Loose but highly narrative brushwork, emphasizing character expression and body language — typical of Robinson’s style—he specialized in “slice-of-life” scenes and rural caricatures).
SIGNATURE
At the bottom left, there is a visible signature “Robt Robinson” for Robert Robinson (American, 1886 – 1952).
MARKET
COLLECTABLITY
Original paintings by Robert Bernard Robinson have appeared at auctions with realized prices ranging from a few thousand to several thousand dollars, depending on size, subject, and condition. Works with strong narrative humor, like this one, tend to be most sought after. This authentic painting is both, a collectible piece of Americana and a charming decorative painting. The painting offered for sale completely aligns with a charming, narrative “slice-of-life” style—similar in tone to those seen in Robinson’s magazine illustrations—it has promising value potential.
ABOUT ARTIST
Robert Bernard Robinson (American, 1886–1952) was the famous American magazine illustration pioneer who became renowned for his "Slice of Life" style in art, a genre later popularized worldwide by Norman Rockwell. Robinson had created 38 covers for The Saturday Evening Post, including a notable series called Moments in Baseball. From the mid-1920s to the late 1940s, his expressive work also graced covers of Motor Magazine, often featuring lighthearted, roadside Americana scenes.
His art frequently depicted old men, children, rural folk, and sentimental, everyday moments—from whimsical, humor-tinged scenes to emotionally resonant, narrative-driven vignettes illustrated Gallerry Art of the Print. Critics recognize him as a “groundbreaking illustrator,” fond of visual storytelling and symbolic humor. He studied under Howard Pyle at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts around 1909–1910, a significant influence on his illustrative skill.
Robert Robinson background: born in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, he spent much of his life working along the East Coast as a magazine illustrator. During the 1940s, Robinson continued to deliver captivating illustrations. His artwork appeared regularly on Motor Magazine covers, including notable issues like March 1940 and November 1940, featuring scenes that likely reflected mid-century American life and humor.
CONDITION
A small canvas patch is visible on verso--probably, from an old museum-quality restoration. Otherwise, no previous restorstions are visible and the paint layer is in excellent condition.
- Dimensions:Height: 30 in (76.2 cm)Width: 24 in (60.96 cm)Depth: 6 in (15.24 cm)
- Style:Art Deco (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:1910-1919
- Date of Manufacture:Ca. 1910s-1920s
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. We make our best effort to provide a fair and descriptive condition report. Please examine photos attentively as they are an integral part of the description. Send us a message to request more details or discuss price.
- Seller Location:New York, NY
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU2819346659002
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