Saloon Nude paintings were found in many of the Old West Saloons throughout southwest America during the 1880's. The famous painting on the left hung in the Long Branch in Dodge City, Kansas and was painted by A.D. M. Cooper ( Astley David Middleton Cooper).
He was and still remains San Jose's most famous artist. Internationally
known, he once sold a single painting for $62,000.00. Cooper was born
in St. Louis, Missouri in 1856 and died in San Jose,
California in 1924. He was a California Indian and figure
painter in addition to being an illustrator for Leslie's. He became an
authority on the history of the American West. In the 1890's,
he was the most widely known of the local painters of the
large barroom oils of plump nudes realistically depicted.
Legend has it that Cooper often paid off bar tabs with paintings. Such paintings came in all sizes with a horizontal format the most favored. The woman were typically unclothed with their breasts visible. The subjects of these painting would today be considered overweight and were most often painted in a lounging position.
Itinerant artists, like Cooper, roamed the countryside and offered their services for drinks, food and lodging. Saloon owners didn't hesitate to accommodate these painters because their painting were a sure draw and that meant more profit in the end.
Itinerant artists, like Cooper, roamed the countryside and offered their services for drinks, food and lodging. Saloon owners didn't hesitate to accommodate these painters because their painting were a sure draw and that meant more profit in the end.
This Saloon Nude was painted by French artist
Guillaume Seignac (1870-1924), titled 'The Wave' or 'La Vague'. It's an
original oil on panel.
