Large 4′ midcentury abstract surrealist Howard Connolly painting blue figures

A rare large abstract impressionist/surrealist work by Howard Connolly. measures almost 49″ x 37″ framed. Procession along Via Appia. Howard Connolly (American, 1903 – 1990). Howard Connolly was a prolific artist and illustrator for leading publications includingColliers,The Toronto Star, andYankee Magazinein the 1940s-1960s, and is best known for his wonderful pinup-girl paintings. In 1946, he was commissioned to paint the portrait of the reigning Miss America. Perhaps is most famous work is of the British guardsman illustrated on Beefeater Gin’s label which was once published as a full size, billboard ad in Times Square, NY. He also illustrated the well-known children’s seriesThe Bobbsey Twins(author Laura Hope, publisher Grosset & Dunlop). Other clients of Connolly’s included: Armstrong Tire (Connolly created the giant hand clutching the open road in his illustrationGripping Tirein the late 1950s, used by Armstrong Tire through the 1960s.), Noxzema, Lea & Perrins, and Johnson & Johnson. Howard Connolly was also an accomplished artist of sporting, landscapes, seascape, and floral still life paintings in oil and watercolor. Connolly was an elected member of the American Watercolor Society, AWS. Following his successful career in New York City where he lived and painted, he moved in 1969 to Westerly, RI and continued to paint and began teaching painting there. He met his second wife, Dorothy Sculco, there and they wed in 1976. Connolly was commissioned to paint a large mural for Westerly Town Hall of Watch Hill’s historicFlying Horse Carousel, built 1876, which remains in use and is a National Historic Landmark in Westerly, RI. The artist also exhibited at the Mystic International Marine Art Show, Mystic Seaport Gallery, Mystic, CT in the late 1980s. The Connollys moved to Providence, RI in 1989 after Howard became ill, though he continued to paint until his passing in 1990. Connolly studied art at the Swain School of Design, New Bedford, MA, and the Art Students League, New York, NY. One of Connollys greatest artistic influences was artist Rolf Armstrong.