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Henry Clive | Art Déco / Pin-up Illustrator

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Henry Clive (born Clive O'Hara, 1883-1960) was a prominent Australian-born American graphic artist and illustrator, best known as a master of Art Déco and pin-up art.
He gained iconic status for his vibrant, idealized portraits of screen celebrities and "pretty girl" illustrations that defined the visual style of the Jazz Age.
Clive's paintings are prized by collectors, but are rare, as only a few are known to exist.



Early 1920's, began painting Ziegfeld Girls, then big stars -Gloria Swanson, Polga Negri- for promo campaigns (e.g. free lunch boxes for moviegoers).
Was art director for Charlie Chaplin productions and even played a villain in City Lights.


Clive is celebrated for his glamorous illustrations of women, characterized by vibrant colors, elegant compositions, and a blend of Egyptian and exotic influences common in the Art Déco movement.
His illustrations, particularly for the Louis F. Dow Calendar Company, helped establish the "American Pin-Up" style.
His 1925 painting, Sultana, is considered a genre-defining Art Déco masterpiece.


He was a master of both pastels and oils, creating works that are now highly prized by collectors due to their rarity.






















Henry Clive (vero nome Henry O'Hara, 1882-1960) è stato un artista grafico ed illustratore Americano di origine Australiana, noto per le sue illustrazioni in stile Art Déco e per le copertine di riviste, spesso con celebrità dello schermo come modelle.
È stato anche attore in film muti e direttore artistico per le produzioni di Charlie Chaplin.


Trasferitosi a Hollywood, ha recitato in diversi film muti e ha lavorato come direttore artistico.
Ha interpretato il ruolo del Villain nel film muto di Charlie Chaplin "Luci della città" (City Lights).


Prima della sua carriera a Hollywood, ha viaggiato per il mondo come mago, esibendosi con nomi come "Clive the Illusionist".


Clive ha creato illustrazioni per The American Weekly ed altre pubblicazioni come True Confessions, Screen Play e Theatre.
Le sue opere, che spesso raffiguravano "pretty girls" (belle ragazze), sono apparse anche su scatole di cosmetici e calendari.


I dipinti originali di Clive sono rari e molto apprezzati dai collezionisti.