‘CHI CHICAGO’ OIL-ON-CANVAS CITYSCAPE BY NORMAND ROY (1967)

‘CHI CHICAGO’ OIL-ON-CANVAS CITYSCAPE BY NORMAND ROY (1967)An imaginative, nighttime Chicago cityscape with towering buildings. Strong, dark, linear elements denote the skyline, while the foreground presents a creative interpretation of the prominent lakefront landmark, Navy Pier. Intricate cross hatchings recall the citys Art Deco architecture, and Atomic Age sparkle stars on the building peaks add a touch of whimsy, evoking an urban Xanadu. This fantasiain the sense of an unrestrained inventionis signed

An imaginative, nighttime Chicago cityscape with towering buildings. Strong, dark, linear elements denote the skyline, while the foreground presents a creative interpretation of the prominent lakefront landmark, Navy Pier. Intricate cross-hatchings recall the city’s Art Deco architecture, and Atomic Age “sparkle-stars” on the building peaks add a touch of whimsy, evoking an urban Xanadu. This fantasia—in the sense of an unrestrained invention—is signed (quite eccentrically) “Roi des Losiers [sic].” Having been separated from its original frame at some point, the painting is presented simply in its cloth-covered, gold-tone liner.

NORMAND J. ROY either served as the agent for, or was himself in actuality, the Mid-Century American artist, known for his abstracted cityscapes, who painted under the nom de brosse Schevaune Roi des Losiers [sic]. A business card stapled to the stretcher bar of the latter’s 1967 work, CHI CHICAGO, doubles down on the apparent misspelling of the alias.

Schevaune is perhaps a playful French take on the Irish name Siobhan, while Roi des Losiers is likely a misspelling of Roi des Loisirs, which translates to King of Leisure. The card lists a phone number and a San Diego, Calif., address for Roy.

DETAILS

Artist – UNKNOWN

Period/Year – 1967

Origin – U.S.A.

Styles/Movements – MID-CENTURY MODERN; ABSTRACT EXPRESSIONISM

Media – OIL

Support – CANVAS

Colors – SLATE, CHARCOAL, IVORY, APRICOT

Condition – Excellent vintage condition. May show minor signs of previous ownership and use.

Dimensions – 21 ¾" H × 41 ½" W × 1" D