Today's subject is a very special one,which is proving quite difficult for me to even begin without wanting to sound like a Wikipedia article. In the same light,I'd decided I didn't want to delve into the life and death of Frank Frazetta too heavily,there are more than enough websites with that information available on-line. Then again,I didn't want this particular article to be all pictures. All style and no substance so to speak. Instead I wanted to focus on his life's work and the stunning imagery he created over the course of his career,but in doing so,no matter how much I fought against it;the pictures won the battle over words. Because let's face it,that's what he did best.
The death dealer
Frazetta had a way of forming chaos into something more tangible. Each painting told a story of it's own,usually in the form of conflict between men or beasts or victory over a captive female. Strong,independent women we're also common themes in his work as the typical subject.
This is why you gotta look both ways before crossing the jungle.
A large majority of Frazetta's artwork was based on established characters,such as Conan the barbarian,Tarzan,Vampirella,Buck Rodgers and John Carter of Mars. In addition,he also produced various works for novels,magazine ads,album covers,comics and even dozens of promotional film posters like the one you see below.
His most talked about paintings however,we're those featuring Conan. The sinewy muscled barbarian from an age undreamed of,in a time of blackest sorcery and savage intent.
Carnivorous apes ain't what they used be
Frazetta's version of Conan was a much grittier,more beast-like character than in previous publications. Instead of the caped,short-haired,swash-buckler image depicted on the covers of Weird Tales,we now had a more accurate portrayal of how a savage barbarian warrior should look and "feel".
The covers of Weird Tales displayed Conan as more Greco-Roman in style and less barbaric than the stories about him had suggested,not in the same sense that most people recognize him in today's literature.
Something was definitely missing
In one interview,Frank admitted he'd never read the stories he based his paintings on,but somehow always managed to capture the subject flawlessly...and he did so every single time in my opinion.
Setting Conan aside,I think my favorites of his paintings we're the covers done for Creepy Magazine,a comic horror publication of the late 70's/early 80's. These haunting images,even to this day are a reminder of how enduring the strange and unknown are always present in our own minds.
Sadly,Frank Frazetta passed away in May of 2010 due to complications of a stroke,following the closing of his privately owned museum. The good news is that his original paintings will still be able to be seen at some point in the future. There's even word that a Frank Frazetta museum may be opening soon in the Austin Texas area,which will be curated by actor/director and fellow enthusiast,Robert Rodriguez.
(The above is a great documentary,I highly recommend watching this one if you can find it.)
Frank Frazetta (February 9, 1928 – May 10, 2010)
Well I guess that about wraps it up for this one,be sure to check out my next article,where I'll be discussing the 1982 film Conan the Barbarian and it's less than perfect sequel Conan the Destroyer,until next time.
The death dealer
Frazetta had a way of forming chaos into something more tangible. Each painting told a story of it's own,usually in the form of conflict between men or beasts or victory over a captive female. Strong,independent women we're also common themes in his work as the typical subject.
This is why you gotta look both ways before crossing the jungle.
A large majority of Frazetta's artwork was based on established characters,such as Conan the barbarian,Tarzan,Vampirella,Buck Rodgers and John Carter of Mars. In addition,he also produced various works for novels,magazine ads,album covers,comics and even dozens of promotional film posters like the one you see below.
His most talked about paintings however,we're those featuring Conan. The sinewy muscled barbarian from an age undreamed of,in a time of blackest sorcery and savage intent.
Carnivorous apes ain't what they used be
Frazetta's version of Conan was a much grittier,more beast-like character than in previous publications. Instead of the caped,short-haired,swash-buckler image depicted on the covers of Weird Tales,we now had a more accurate portrayal of how a savage barbarian warrior should look and "feel".
The covers of Weird Tales displayed Conan as more Greco-Roman in style and less barbaric than the stories about him had suggested,not in the same sense that most people recognize him in today's literature.
Something was definitely missing
In one interview,Frank admitted he'd never read the stories he based his paintings on,but somehow always managed to capture the subject flawlessly...and he did so every single time in my opinion.
Setting Conan aside,I think my favorites of his paintings we're the covers done for Creepy Magazine,a comic horror publication of the late 70's/early 80's. These haunting images,even to this day are a reminder of how enduring the strange and unknown are always present in our own minds.
Sadly,Frank Frazetta passed away in May of 2010 due to complications of a stroke,following the closing of his privately owned museum. The good news is that his original paintings will still be able to be seen at some point in the future. There's even word that a Frank Frazetta museum may be opening soon in the Austin Texas area,which will be curated by actor/director and fellow enthusiast,Robert Rodriguez.
(The above is a great documentary,I highly recommend watching this one if you can find it.)
Frank Frazetta (February 9, 1928 – May 10, 2010)
Well I guess that about wraps it up for this one,be sure to check out my next article,where I'll be discussing the 1982 film Conan the Barbarian and it's less than perfect sequel Conan the Destroyer,until next time.
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