Thompson, Mozelle W. (African American/Pittsburgh/New York, 1926-1969), Children at Play, crayon on paper, mid 20th century, signed in crayon at lower right. Unframed 17.75 x 12 inches. Mozelle Thompson was born in Pittsburgh's Hill District in 1926. Like Andy Warhol, Thompson was a student of Joseph Fitzpatrick in the Tam O’Shanter Pallete Saturday classes at the Carnegie Institute. He attended Parsons School of Design in 1945, and returned to Pittsburgh in the summers where he created window displays at Gimbels department store. In 1948, he received a scholarship to study abroad in Rome and Paris. His adventures overseas are documented in a three-page feature in the February 1949 issue of Ebony when he was 22 years old. He speaks briefly on race relations of the 1940s, his aspirations as a young artist, and his interest in fashion design. The article references his commercial work, which had been published by 1949 in Vogue and Glamour magazine. Thompson was one of the first African American album cover illustrators. He was a pioneer in his industry, working alongside the first-generation artists who contributed to the history of album cover art within the first 15 years of its existence. Within his short career, Thompson produced more than 120 album covers. His career and life ended tragically when he fell six stories from his apartment window on December 6, 1969. In addition to illustrating, he taught courses on fashion and window display design at the Fashion Institute of Technology. Age toning, some accretions. Merchandise will be packed and transported by the purchaser at their own risk and expense. A list of recommended shippers is on our website: https://www.conceptgallery.com/auctions/shipping/ .