The Telephone Call 

Robert G. Harris likely made this illustration with oils on canvas or illustration board. Harris was a master of this mid-century commercial painting style, achieving photorealism with soft brushwork and vibrant colors. The painting has a fluid quality, blurring the line between fine art and craft. Look closely at the textures – the matte of the red backdrop, the sheen on the pink gown, the light catching the telephone. Harris’ skill with these paints is clear, yet it's his application of this skill to advertising that truly captures your attention. His expertise, honed through countless hours of practice, was harnessed by the advertising industry to sell products and ideals. "The Telephone Call" evokes a feeling of consumerism that was prominent in the mid-20th century. Harris's command of materials and techniques elevated commercial art to a high level of sophistication.