Academic study of a nude man in a standing pose by famous American illustrator Saul Tepper, executed early in his career.

Saul Tepper was a native New Yorker who had a highly successful career as an illustrator. In 1926 he studied at Grand Central Art School under illustration artist Harvey Dunn, who taught several illustrators of Tepper's generation who went on to achieve prominence in their field. This painting probably was done around that time. Tepper's characteristic style was realistic, with bold contrasts of light and dark and close attention to detail. He produced illustrations for most of the major magazines of the time such as Liberty Magazine, as well as advertising art for major accounts such as General Electric, Coca-Cola, General Motors, Mobil and Texaco. Tepper was elected to the Society of Illustrators Hall of Fame in 1980. Meanwhile, he also had a second career as a popular songwriter.

References:

"Harvey Dunn: Illustrator, Teacher, Painter: Selections from the Kelly Collection of American Illustration." Biggs Museum of American Art. 2001. http://www.tfaoi.com/aa/2aa/2aa633.htm (23 August 2002).

"John Held Jr. and the Jazz Age." Norman Rockwell Museum at Stockbridge. 2002. http://www.nrm.org/exhibits/held/twenties.html (23 August 2002).