CHESLEY BONESTELL (American, 1888-1986). Saturn Viewed from Titan, c. 1952. Oil on board. 18.25 x 23 in.. Signed lower l...

Description

CHESLEY BONESTELL (American, 1888-1986)
Saturn Viewed from Titan, c. 1952
Oil on board
18.25 x 23 in.
Signed lower left
This is perhaps the most famous and recognized image Bonestell ever painted. This scene spotlights the same view as the famous plate XXXVI, page 132, of The Conquest of Space.

As one of his favorite subjects, Bonestell painted this fantastic view at least seven times, according to Frederick C. Durant III, conservator of the Bonestell estate. Bonestell created this piece for his daughter, Jane Webster, now deceased, who later gave the painting to Boyd Jarrell, nephew of William C. Estler, the Chesley Bonestell curator.

This painting was previewed at an exhibit of 31 Bonestell space paintings shown at the Griffith Observatory in Los Angeles in October 1957. Nine of the paintings exhibited there, including the Saturn painting, are featured in an article, which appeared in the October 1957 issue of the Griffith Observer. The painting was also exhibited at the California Academy of Sciences in 1988, and it was exhibited in the inaugural group show at the SF Museum.

This piece has been published in approximately ten publications prior to being showcased on page 59 of The Frank Collection, Paper Tiger, 1999. This scene was also used for a limited edition print.

From the Frank Collection.



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