Downes, Willard, 1908-2000

Artist Willard Downes was commissioned by the major motion picture studios in the 1930s to do publicity sketches of the big name stars of the era.

A Virginia-born painter and commercial illustrator, he was a staff artist for three New York newspapers: THE HERALD TRIBUNE, THE JOURNAL AMERICAN, and THE BROOKLYN EAGLE and his illustrations appeared in many magazines such as THE SATURDAY EVENING POST, LIFE, GOOD HOUSEKEEPING and COLLIERS. He was also an art director at various advertising agencies and exhibited his paintings at museums and galleries.

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