John McDermott WWI Oil Illustration of Aircraft Pilots

Item Details

John McDermott (Colorado, 1919 – 1977)
Untitled, mid-late 20th century
Oil painting on illustration board
Artist’s name is inscribed to the verso

John McDermott was an illustrator and amateur filmmaker, especially known for his depictions of action and adventure scenes. Without formal art education, he was employed by Walt Disney Animation Studios, working as an effects animator for multiple films such as Brave Little Tailor, Pinocchio, The Reluctant Dragon and Fantasia, to name a few. In 1942 McDermott enlisted in the US Marine Corps and worked as a combat artist, involved in battles in the South Pacific theater of war, specifically documenting the Guam, Okinawa and the Gaudalcanal Campaigns. After the war ended, he established himself as a prominent illustrator for books and pulp magazines, including Argosy, Adventure, American Weekly, Blue Book, and Outdoor Life, among others. His illustrations for books were geared toward the thriler, detective, and science fiction genres, including the 1955 novel The Body Snatchers.

Condition

- minor wear and negligible scratches throughout metal frame; minor scratches throughout the composition.

Dimensions

- measures the frame; sight size 39.5" W x 29.5" H.

Item #

18DCC659-1916