One of my favorite parts of being a vintage seller, is researching the history of items that we source. When I picked up this large velvet cityscape signed "Carlo", I knew that there had to be a story behind it. It is hand painted on velvet and depicts a night time view of a cityscape reflected on water. The older gentleman that I purchased it from laughed because he didn't really think much of it, but we thought it really suited the collection that we are offering in this week's "Luxe Drop".
Velvet Carlo of Hollywood Painting we will be selling
The signature!
Who Was Carlo?
This deep dive starts with the signature "Carlo". I researched the signature "Carlo" and the Google trail led me to Carlo of Hollywood. I thought that was an interesting name for the artist and so I tried to look up a bio on him.
First, I encountered eBay listings for the artwork and a few auction sites. Apparently, Carlo of Hollywood created paintings that could actually be lit up, hooked up to electricity!
This painting is actually lit up! See ebay listing
Intrigued, I searched further. Some of the sources that I found said that Carlo may have been a designer for the set of "I Love Lucy" and that he was commissioned to paint original artwork to be gifted to new owners of tract homes in New York. I found more info from a dedicated Carlo of Hollywood Facebook group, as Carlo pieces, especially 50s watercolors with their unique frames, are very collectible. Some of the artwork may lean more towards the kitsch style - but Carlo of Hollywood didn't fit just into one box of subject matter.
Factory Art?
Today, you may still find an original sticker on his artwork for Artcraft, which was sold at department stores. Employed by Artcraft, which also made the frames for his artwork, Carlo is said to have led a group of other artists to create original artwork. Carlo would do the initial sketch and the artists would reproduce the artwork. This is what many refer to as "factory art", although in my opinion, since real artists are still creating the artwork by hand - that puts it a step above mass-produced prints by machines. The variety of artists involved accounts for the differences in the way "Carlo" was signed.
From what I saw online, there isn't much info on Carlo, himself. Some theories are that it was just a pseudonym, like "C. Jere" and really represents a group of artists, rather than just one Carlo. Please, if you know more info, correct me if this is the wrong understanding!
Not by Carlo of Hollywood, but another original piece of artwork we sold that may be considered "factory art" by some critics
At any rate, I was amazed by the variety of subject matter that is represented by Carlo of Hollywood. Matadors, Polynesian women, still life paintings, wildlife, nautical scenes and more. I can see why people choose to collect Carlo of Hollywood artwork!
Let us know in the comments what you think of Carlo of Hollywood artwork. Thanks for reading!
Thanks so much for your research! I google searched tje signature and found your article. I have a large (6’ x2’) seascape that was my grandparent’s. I have a partial AP&F Artcraft label from the back, so the framing must be original. too. the frame has a lot of damage to it, so now I must decide if we put it back in the original frame, or reframe it to better fit our style, blending the vintage painting into our home. The whole piece is incredibly dusty from its life in a literal farm house, hung high up in a stairwell so never dusted. the back of the canvas has mold, so we are treating that and I’m gently cleaning the painting with a damp soft clock.
We have a no sell agreement for things we take from G & G’s house, but having this info to identify the artist (LA area and time period makes total sense) is rad. My grandparents traveled to over 120 countries and bought local art everywhere, always from the artist himself. Grandma passed away in 2024 at age 103, and I had never asked about this piece. To know this is a local piece added to our beaches and waves collection is pretty special. Thanks for your research, it is exactly enough for me to be highly confident with my (very amateur) artist identification!
I think I have a Carlos of Hollywood. It is a large oil drip painting of what I believe maybe a musketeer. It looks to be painted on masionite. It is signed by Gomez.
Thank you for all of the comments on this article!
We do offer valuation services for a fee – please see the link below.
https://alittlemorelikehome.shop/products/expert-appraisal-services?pos=1&_sid=ba1be3788&ss=r
You might also try searching for the Carlo of Hollywood Facebook group.
I also have a large impasto canvas. Right angle lines with a large circular object. Very bold.
I have a large Carlos of Hollywood oil painting with impasto technique. I’m trying to find what type of canvas or material he used. It almost looks like it’s painted on linen or silk. Do you have any information on this ?
Thanks!