Robert Bernard Robinson (American, 1886 - 1952)

Signed: Robt. Robinson (Lower, Right)

" True Indian Stories ", 1939

(For the cover of Motor Magazine, February 1939) (A copy of the magazine to be included with the painting)

Oil on Canvas

28" x 21"

Housed in its original 1 1/2" Pine Frame

Overall Size: 30 3/4" x 23 5/8"

Light Craquelure, the painting is in otherwise very good, clean condition.

Robert Robinson was a groundbreaking American illustrator and originator of the Saturday Evening Post's "Slice of Life" style of cover art (later popularized by Norman Rockwell). He illustrated 38 covers for the Saturday Evening Post between January 8, 1910, and May 9, 1925. He was also a major artist for the covers of Motor Magazine, illustrating at least 48 covers between July 1924 and February 1952, which included the entire 12 months of 1940. He also produced cover illustrations for Popular Magazine and postcard illustrations.

Targeted at the service station and garage trade, Mr. Robinson's covers featured all types of motoring maladies experienced by everyone from dowdy matrons to pouty pin-ups, bawdy mechanics to rowdy motorcyclists, and children emulating their parents' problems. Escaping the mechanical malaise was also a recurring theme in the artist's work.

With the onset of World War II, many of the covers showed a decidedly patriotic air as America mobilized its efforts. From the home front to the battle front, Robinson found relevance to his market in the activities of families and soldiers alike.