[DETECTIVE FICTION]. –– [GIBSON, Walter (1897–1985), association]. –– BOUCHAUD, Sally (1931–2022), artist. Original oil painting of “The Shadow” based on original cover art.
Circa 1982. Visible area: 29 ¾ x 23 ¾”. Oil on canvas, wooden mat with painted designs and decals of spiders, webs, and flies. Framed (frame size: 35 ½ x 29 ½”). The Shadow is seen peeking through a window, lifting the shade, showing off his signal ring. Signed in the lower left corner, “GR c. S.B.”. On the verso, there is an inscription in black marker: “To Walter and Litzka Gibson from Bill Rauscher - Oct. 1982”.
William Rauscher was a close friend of Gibson’s who had commissioned this painting for Gibson because the author had told Rauscher that this was his most cherished image of The Shadow which soon hung in a prominent place in Gibson’s house until he passed in 1985. Gibson is best–known for his creation of the mysterious crime fighter, The Shadow, having written nearly 300 Shadow stories. Sally Bouchaud was a gifted oil painter and art teacher, and her artwork has been displayed in galleries throughout the United States.
Provenance: From the Estate of Walter Gibson.