Robert A. Maguire (1921-2005) American, Original Playboy Illustration Oil on Canvas. Depicts a young woman against a turbulent background dancing with torn and flowing garments barely covering her exposed body, her piercing eyes locked on the viewer. Signed lower right. 

Overall Size: 27 x 34 in. 

Sight Size: 23 1/2 x 30 in. 

Robert A. Maguire (1921-2005) was a prominent illustrator and fine artist celebrated as a Member Emeritus of The Society of Illustrators, spending most of his life working and living in New Jersey. Although he first studied to be a draftsman architect like his father at Duke University, his service with the 88th Infantry in Italy during World War II led to a fascination with classical art, and upon his return to the United States he honed his creative talents at the Art Students League in New York under the instruction of Frank Reilly. His career officially launched in 1950 with cover art designs for Trojan Publications’ pocket pulp magazines, including Hollywood Detective Magazine. He quickly became a definitive voice in the pulp industry, ultimately producing original artwork for over 1,200 paperback covers across almost every mainstream New York publishing house. Maguire achieved widespread acclaim during his classic period in the 1950s and 1960s for his mastery of the “femme fatale,” creating iconic female figures that were passionate yet down-to-earth, leading to many lithographic prints of his sultry works as well as frequent collaborations with Playboy Magazine. His crime noir covers are considered collectors items today, and he continued working right up until his death, even designing posters, covers for video games, and cover and insert art for music CDs.

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