ATLANTA, Ga. - Art publisher and distributor Museum Masters International, gentleman's publication Penthouse Magazine and Atlanta-based artist Sid Maurer have entered into a collaborative agreement to showcase exhibitions featuring Mr. Maurer's artistic renditions of Penthouse Magazine Pets over the last 50 years.

In this collaboration, Penthouse selected Maurer as an official artist to memorialize some of the most popular Penthouse Pets, including Penthouse Pet of the Year Julie Strain (1993); Penthouse Pet of the Month Kayden Kross (Sept. 2008); and Penthouse Pet of the Year runner-up Krista Ayne (2007).

Penthouse Magazine founder Bob Guccione has enjoyed a long history with Maurer, who was also commissioned to paint Mr. Guccione's portrait. The work was subsequently sold to NFL Hall of Fame quarterback Joe Namath. Maurer will use his signature style of bold, dynamic colors, blended with typographical elements, to create large mixed media pieces featuring the Pets.

The twelve original paintings of the Penthouse Pets will be part of a worldwide touring exhibition, opening April 12th in Cannes, France, at The Majestic Hotel red carpet lobby and then at the JP Gallery, to celebrate Penthouse Magazine's 50th anniversary. In addition to the exhibition, images painted by Maurer will be made available for licensing in various territories throughout the world. Galleries worldwide will be receiving portfolios containing the twelve limited-edition prints, signed and numbered by Mr. Maurer, along with his signed certificates of authenticity.

“Penthouse Magazine has always been at the crossroads of art and sex,” says Kelly Holland, Managing Director of Penthouse Magazine. “Bob Guccione was an artist at heart and the early photographs he took for Penthouse showcased this true passion. It’s a perfect opportunity for our brand to continue to embrace the artistry in our images by collaborating with Sid Maurer on this iconic collection of paintings.”

Founded in England by Bob Guccione in 1965 and brought to the United States in 1969, Penthouse Magazine celebrates its 50th anniversary this year. The first issue of Penthouse in this country sold out in a matter of days. Given the immediate U.S. success, England’s controversial magazine of beautiful women, intelligent journalism and intimate revelations had “arrived”. The covers of Penthouse Magazine have included celebrities and beautiful, art-inspired photography. Even today, the magazine continues to chronicle the libido of a changing nation and the pop culture that shapes it.

Museum Masters International was established in 1980, as MariGold Enterprises, by company founder and president Marilyn Goldberg. The firm raised millions of dollars in order to acquire, publish, and distribute Pablo Picasso images (200), inherited by Picasso’s grand-daughter Marina Picasso. The paintings are collectively known as The Marina Picasso Collection.

Marilyn Goldberg, President of MMI, has received the Lifetime Achievement Award for Excellence for 30 years by her peers at Art Expo, primarily for her work and creativity in developing The Picasso Collection, The Andy Warhol Collection, The Keith Haring Collection and The Erte Collection. She is currently organizing and doing merchandising work for the Tamara de Lempicka world exhibitions, in Rome, Milan and (currently) Torino, Italy.

Ms. Goldberg was also a friend of Bob Guccione and always believed him to be an exceptional artist and photographer. “Museum Masters has always believed that Sid Maurer was the perfect artist to bring to Pepsi their first artistic works from 2012-2014,” she said, regarding Mauer's work done for the soft drink giant. “He was also a natural for the Marilyn Monroe Museum and gallery tours. Now, he's partnering with Penthouse, to celebrate the magazine and Mr. Guccione's legacy.”

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