Frederic Kimball Mizen (American, 1888-1964). Boy Scouts Come to a Halt, Coca-Cola advertisement, circa 1930. Oil on can...

Description

Frederic Kimball Mizen (American, 1888-1964)
Boy Scouts Come to a Halt, Coca-Cola advertisement, circa 1930
Oil on canvas
32-1/2 x 37-1/2 inches (82.5 x 95.2 cm)
Signed lower right: Fred / Mizen

Property from the BSA Settlement Trust, Sold for the Benefit of Survivors of Childhood Sexual Abuse

Fred Mizen's Boy Scouts Come to a Halt, painted circa 1930 as part of a Coca-Cola advertisement, is a captivating blend of nostalgia, Americana, and commercial art. Known for his exceptional skill in creating vibrant, detailed scenes, Mizen was one of the most sought-after commercial artists of his time. In this painting, he perfectly captures the wholesome spirit of the Boy Scouts, set against the lush, idyllic backdrop of the American outdoors, while subtly incorporating the iconic Coca-Cola brand, linking the company to values of youth, adventure, and refreshment.

The scene shows a group of scouts engaged in various activities by a stream, their scout uniforms bright against the deep greens of the surrounding trees. Some sit and observe, while others engage with the natural setting, their postures relaxed and their expressions suggesting camaraderie and curiosity. Two scouts, holding Coca-Cola bottles, approach from the right side, having just paused their journey at what looks like a local store. The prominent Coca-Cola sign hanging from the building ties the scene to the brand without overpowering the narrative, blending seamlessly into the larger context of the painting.

Mizen's use of light and shadow is masterful, with sunlight streaming through the trees, dappling the ground and the figures with warmth. His technique captures both the tranquility of the setting and the energy of the moment, with the contrasting cool tones of the forest and the bright reds of the scouts' scarves and the Coca-Cola bottles offering a striking visual balance. The composition draws the viewer's eye from the figures clustered by the stream to the two scouts walking along the sunlit path, creating a sense of movement and journey.

This painting is also part of the iconic partnership between Coca-Cola and luminaries of the Golden Age of American illustration, a collaboration that included celebrated artists like Norman Rockwell and Haddon Sundblom. These artists, through their work for Coca-Cola, created some of the most enduring imagery in American visual culture. By aligning Coca-Cola with the wholesome image of the Boy Scouts, Mizen reinforces the company's message of refreshment and adventure. Boy Scouts Come to a Halt is a beautiful fusion of fine art and advertising, capturing both the essence of Boy Scouting and the spirit of 1930s American life.

Opening Bid: $500


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