Skip to main content
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 15

Vintage Orig Metallic Painting by O. E. L. Graves Extremely Rare Collectible

About the Item

We are so proud to offer this original work of art by legendary Palm Springs artist O. E. L. Graves. We discovered his work when we first purchased a second home here in 1997. His work was very difficult to come across, but stories about Mr. Graves were legendary, and the first art we saw of his were his extraordinary and very collectible cover art for vintage mid century Palm Springs villager magazines which we found at some thrift stores! We have since collected 8 original paintings. This is the Rolls-Royce of the collection. His artwork is now collected by a new generation of the Palm Springs younger rich and famous entertainment industry that have brought new life to the town with Coachella Music Festival and the endearing architecture Palm Springs is famous for! We purchased an amazing coffee table book by French photographer Robert Doisneau called “Palm Springs 1960” Mr Graves himself and his artwork is featured in wonderful 1960s vintage photographs. This spurred on more collectors looking for his paintings. This large painting was definitely owned by a Palm Springs/Beverly Hills client. His work was even sought out by Rockefeller that wanted to buy a painting of Mr. Graves that he refused to sell! The paintings were very expensive. Just the original painting’s framing alone shows how chic and special it was. The subject is a bird in its cage with a clock in the corner, In shades of silver, green, black and gold. There is a name on the painting, along side Mr. Graves signature we believe to be the title of the painting, “Orsi” It is such an extraordinary painting! Please check out the pictures to see the amazing color and details of this work. O. E. L. Graves (1897 - 1971) Graves was an American artist and painter/sculptor based in Palm Springs, California during Hollywood's golden years. His client list included many of the rich and famous of his era, from movie stars (Clark Gable, Bob Hope, Bing Crosby, Janet Gaynor) to business magnates (Raymond Loewys, George R. Hearst Sr.) to shady criminal kingpins. His own personal life was just as full of high intrigue and secrecy as the famous clients he cultivated. As a result, his need to maintain a relatively low profile in his private life has relegated him to near obscurity in death as an artist. Graves experimented constantly with new media and techniques for expressing his art. His works include delicate watercolors, fine detailed portraits, impressionistic oils, sculptures in metal, and some techniques of his own invention. Graves claims to have invented "sculpted oil painting", where multiple layers of thick oil paint are placed on masonite and then cut away to create the image. His sculpted oil paintings were displayed in some of the trendiest galleries and art museums, including the New York Metropolitan Museum of Art, which purchased some of his sculpted paintings after they had been shown there. Winthrop Rockefeller tried to purchase Grave's favorite sculpted painting from him (Ptolemy's Daughters for a very tidy sum, only to be refused by the artist, who wouldn't part with it. Born in London, Ontario, Canada, Graves had a strong interest in Native Americans throughout his career, which is reflected in many of his paintings. While still a youth, he became a full member of the Tsuutʼina Nation after many years of association with its people. He was also a cowpuncher, rodeo rider, and trick roper, able to throw a 100-foot circle of rope and lasso eight horses at once. He rode in the famed Calgary Stampede, displaying his cowboy skills. He had developed an interest in drawing as a boy and drew pastel sketches on sandpaper even during his cowboy days. During World War I, he was a fighter pilot with the Royal Flying Corps. After the war, he came to the United States to work as a commercial artist. During World War II, he worked as a designer of airplanes and guided missiles with North American Aviation. After World War II, Graves moved to Palm Springs, California to illustrate covers for The Palm Springs Villager magazine, a local publication in the famous celebrity town. Palm Springs then became his base of operations for a successful career as a fine artist.
  • Creator:
    O.E.L. Graves (Artist)
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 43 in (109.22 cm)Width: 31 in (78.74 cm)Depth: 2 in (5.08 cm)
  • Style:
    Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
  • Materials and Techniques:
  • Place of Origin:
  • Period:
  • Date of Manufacture:
    1960s
  • Condition:
    Wear consistent with age and use.
  • Seller Location:
    Palm Springs, CA
  • Reference Number:
    Seller: 422241stDibs: LU1767239405852

More From This Seller

View All
Contemporary Black & White Orig Painting Abstract by Designer George Machado
By George Machado
Located in Palm Springs, CA
This is a large contemporary black and white geometric abstract by George Teixeira Machado. Inspired by the Beverly Hills movie mogul homes in the 50s and sixties, it has a vintage l...
Category

2010s American Modern Paintings

Materials

Paint

Large Gold and Silver Metallic Modern Abstract in Vintage Frame by Machado
By George Machado
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Another great original acrylic/gold leaf/silver leaf painting on board by designer/artist George Machado. We love this painting more because of the great unaltered white wood vintage...
Category

2010s American Modern Paintings

Materials

Wood

“Florentine” Design Attributed Vintage Rare Sofa With Orig Black Cushions
By Brown Jordan, Richard Frinier
Located in Palm Springs, CA
This vintage (puchased by original owners early 1990) was sold to us as a Brown Jordan "Florentine" patio set but can not be authenticated or sold as Brown Jordan as it is not labele...
Category

Vintage 1980s North American Neoclassical Patio and Garden Furniture

Materials

Metal

Portrait of a Handsome Man Oil Painting by Mid Century Artist
Located in Palm Springs, CA
This beautiful mid century painting of a handsome man was painted in the 1950s. The subject was the owner of a beautiful San Diego Estate. Artist was F Stanley Herring. Beautiful antique fold leaf frame with ruby color fillet trim. Subject is seated in a royal blue chair...
Category

Vintage 1950s North American Mid-Century Modern Paintings

Materials

Canvas

Vintage 1970’s Original Silver Framed Abstract Painting in Black & Blues
Located in Palm Springs, CA
From an amazing time capsule residence in Rancho Mirage, Calif. I was told by the heirs of the estate that the painting was commissioned for his parents in the foyer of their beautif...
Category

Vintage 1970s American Modern Paintings

Materials

Canvas

Rare Bruce of LA Set Model Bobby Kennedy Male Orig Vintage Physique Photographs
By Bruce of Los Angeles, Bruce Bellas
Located in Palm Springs, CA
It is very rare to find a desirable iconic two piece set of original Bruce of Los Angeles vintage photographs. Especially with the iconic Roman column,...
Category

Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Photography

Materials

Paper

You May Also Like

Collectible Rare Original Oil on Canvas Painting by Henri Pontoy, Paris France
By Henri Pontoy
Located in Miami, FL
A Rare Parisian Gem: "Le Vert Galant" by Henri-Jean Pontoy This captivating oil painting by Henri-Jean Pontoy (1888-1968) offers a unique perspective on the famed Paris, France land...
Category

Early 20th Century French Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Paint

Pink Flamingo Watercolor Painting on Paper Signed by Shirrell Graves, Framed
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Original 1940s Pink Flamingo Watercolor Painting on Paper Signed by Shirrell Graves. The painting features its original white wood frame with a Mirrored border, this is the frame Gra...
Category

Vintage 1940s American Mid-Century Modern Paintings

Materials

Glass, Mirror, Wood, Paint, Paper

Pink Hibiscus Watercolor Painting on Paper Signed by Shirrell Graves, Framed
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Original 1940s Pink Hibiscus Watercolor Painting on Paper Signed by Shirrell Graves. The painting features its original white wood frame with a white mat. Shirrell Graves is an Impr...
Category

Vintage 1940s American Mid-Century Modern Paintings

Materials

Paper

French Paintings Collectible Art Book
Located in North Hollywood, CA
French Painting Hardcover collectible art book by Charles Stuckey– January 1, 1997 by Charles Stuckey (Author) Hardcover · 320 page Stuckey examines...
Category

20th Century French French Provincial Books

Materials

Paper

1896 Realism Landscape Oil Painting of Polperro by Hely Smith Orig Gilded Frame
Located in Topeka, KS
Fabulous antique realism landscape oil on canvas painting titled Polperro signed Hely Smith (a.k.a. Hely Augustus Morton Smith) with original Baroque style ...
Category

Antique 1890s English Baroque Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Giltwood

Abstract painting by Remo Bianco, Italian Spatialist, Collectible Italian Art
By Remo Bianco
Located in Milano, IT
Italian Artist - 50's Painting - Modern Italian Artwork Painting Stunning oil on canvas painting by Italian modern artist Remo Bianco, Spatialist painter. The canvas is signed and d...
Category

Vintage 1950s Italian Modern Paintings

Materials

Canvas

Recently Viewed

View All