Frank Earle Schoonover The Four Witch Men Signed Illustrative Oil Painting 1924

An early and rare oil painting on cotton canvas titled “The Four Witch Men” by Brandywine School American Illustrator, Frank Earle Schoonover. Signed and dated 1924, bottom right. Dated July 1924 and titled on verso: “Heading for – The Witch Men of Bizy – Showing the Four Witch Men.” No. 1311 – Frank Schoonover catalogue raisonné, Norman Rockwell Museum. This captivating illustration was published in the American Boy magazine in February 1925. It accompanied the story by Karl W. Detzer titled “Witch Men of Bizy.” The caption read: “Some said there were five, some seven, in the band of Witch Men, strange, half-civilized marauders.” Per a teaser from the magazine, “It (the story) takes you into the thick of a fight between dauntless young French veterans and weird, murderous bandits. The bandits’ stronghold … the witch men about to surrender … a gaunt shadow slipping silently out of the night … and a thrilling surprise. Watch out for the mysterious, enthralling story.” A unique opportunity to own an original painting by one of the most influential American illustrators. Dimensions: 16.75”h x 35.75”w x 2”d (framed). In very good vintage condition consistent with age.

Provenance: From a private collection in Southfield, MI. Acquired from a prominent estate in Detroit who had connections to the University of Detroit. Previously, the location of this painting was unknown until it was unearthed in Detroit in the early 2000s. The painting is included in the Frank Earle Schoonover catalogue raisonné. Also, it was published in the American Boy magazine, The Sprague Publishing Co. of Detroit, Michigan, in February 1925. The Detroit connection adds remarkable and unique provenance to this painting. 

Frank Earle Schoonover (1877-1972) was an American illustrator and a member of the Brandywine School. He was a contributing illustrator to magazines and did more than 5,000 paintings during the “Golden Age of Illustration.” Today, his paintings can be found in countless private and public institutions. The Delaware Art Museum and the Hagley Library maintain an archive of his work and several of his paintings are held at the Delaware Art Museum. At auction, Schoonover paintings have sold for six figures.