Edward Eggleston (American, 1882-1941)

Paintings

Edward Eggleston Illustration Value

Who was painter Edward Eggleston?

Edward Eggleston was an American artist whose Art Deco and fantasy-style portraits of women were extremely popular in the first half of the twentieth century. These paintings were often featured commercially, in advertisements, calendars, and as illustrations in books. Eggleston’s clients included the Fisk Tire Company, the Pennsylvania Railroad, and the Great Lakes Exposition. Eggleston rose to prominence during the 1930s when his calendar work coincided with the American trend toward escapist fantasies because of The Great Depression. This was considered the Golden Age of Illustration and Eggleston’s work holds up nicely next to other luminaries and cohorts from this time including C Allan Gilbert, Haskell Coffin, and Coles Phillips.

The Art Deco manifested in Eggleston’s work as a way to push the illustrator to higher standards of aesthetics and execution -- something that was rare for many commercial illustrators of that time. It’s this effort that gives his work a timeless quality which has led to his work being collected by hobbyists and collectors around the world, even now, over three-quarters of a century after his passing.

What kind of art did Edward Eggleston make?

Edward Eggleston was a commercial illustrator whose work was influenced by the Art Deco aesthetic of his time. His paintings were often portraits of young women, using vibrant colors with dramatic shading and lighting techniques. These portraits were often featured in advertisements or calendars and led to a large audience for Eggleston’s art, even if he was never embraced by the “high” art community during his lifetime. That isn’t to say that Eggleston didn’t command the respect of his peers and colleagues during his lifetime, but there has definitely been a reassessment of Eggleston’s body of work in the last few decades, with a fuller appreciation for his powers and talents as an artist.

How did painter Edward Eggleston get started?

Edward Eggleston was born in the small town of Ashtabula, Ohio in 1882. He showed strong promise as a painter early on and attended the Columbus Art School prior to his move to New York City in 1915. Almost immediately the young artist found work as an illustrator for magazine covers, travel posters, and other advertisements. His ability to work with oil paints on canvas was a huge benefit, his paintings always showed a predilection for bright colors and otherworldly light. The 1930s represented a big push forward in his career, as his Art Deco-style calendars, featuring escapist fantasies of women in dresses and swimwear, became popular with the general public.

How much are Edward Eggleston paintings worth?

Edward Eggleston paintings can sell for a thousand dollars on the low end and even on the high end rarely exceed $20,000. This makes an Edward Eggleston painting exceedingly affordable for many collectors. The most ever paid for an Edward Eggleston painting is $22,705 for the piece Lady and Peacock (date unknown) on February 18th, 2010. This painting was sold by Heritage Auctions, who has also sold all of Eggleston’s other highest-selling pieces. Eggleston represents a great opportunity for the savvy collector, his work is timeless, beautiful, and always a conversation starter.

Where to buy Edward Eggleston paintings for sale?

See works for sale below. Why buy from Heritage? Art buyers feel confident because our experts know the market and put careful valuations on the artwork for sale. We make the bidding process easier to help you expand your art collection.

How to value Edward Eggleston’s paintings?

The best way to value art is to compare past auction prices for similar works. View past sale prices below. When you’re ready to sell, contact Heritage Auctions to request an auction estimate of the likely selling price at auction. If you need a formal written appraisal for estate planning or insurance, please contact our Appraisal Services Department.