| Need some art ID help!
I've got a stumper of an art mystery here, and I thought someone here might be able to help. I recently bought a small science fiction painting and I can't for the life of me figure out who painted it. No signature, no date, no markings of ANY kind. Here are a few tidbits I can bring to the table, but I'm not sure if they're really that helpful in figuring out this thing's origins...
1. It came from Forrest Ackerman's collection via a dealer. This is unverified, but the dealer seems REALLY honest, so I've no reason to doubt him. I'm unlikely to run into 4E any time soon, so I can't unfortunately just ask him...
2. I'd guess it's from the Fifties or Sixties. I base this on (a) the artistic style -- dig those crazy aliens, as well as the very mid-century "futuristic" structure in the background -- and (b) on the paint, which appears to be gouache. I've been told this paint was used often during the middle of the century, and much less so in the last couple decades.
3. It's small, about the size of a postcard. I'm guessing, therefore, that it wasn't used as the cover art for a magazine or a book. I could be wrong, of course, but in every instance I've come across, original cover art was oversized (including stuff I own, as well as Bob Lesser's complete collection of original pulp paintings). There are exceptions to the rule, though...
That's about it. Thoughts, even educated guesses -- hell, even blind guesses -- would be greatly appreciated! (Feel free to swipe these pics and pass them on to anyone not on this board who you think might have some ideas...) |