[ethereal_reality]

Originally Posted by HossC

I found this picture of Beckman Furs at 521/523 W 7th Street which I think is new to NLA. It's dated 1933.


USC Digital Library

The building's still recognizable, even if some of the details have been lost/covered - see Google Maps.

I was curious about the two paintings of the tiger and lion. They seem a bit odd. I mean, surely they're not advertising tiger and lion fur coats, right?
I also wondered if it was a good idea to have the paintings outside on the exterior of the building. (they wouldn't last long in a harsher climate / one Chicago winter would be the end of them)

So I decided to take a closer look at them.. .. .. ..


If you look closely there is neon encircling the paintings.


detail





same with the tiger painting.




The neon would give the paintings a somewhat surreal, glowing effect at night.


And then I had an epiphany.


Considering the irregular shape of the panels I believe the paintings are from an old. . .drum roll please . . .Merry-Go-Round. ...


Whaddya think?

Did Mr. Beckman scavenge the paintings from a circus?



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