18. (Frazetta) At Earth’s Core. (1965) “3 Pterodactyls and Sabertooth”. Accomplished in pencil, pen and ink on 10.5 x 13 in. artists’ leaf. For sheer creativity, this piece cannot be beat. It is a savage world onto itself. The composition/design is flawless. The raw Frazetta energy is everywhere. A jewel. Exhibits a small stain on the bottom that is barely noticeable. Pure perfection is seen in the amazing drawing of three pterodactyls attacking a sabertooth tiger. Frazetta once told me that, from a purely artistic standpoint, this drawing is probably the best. Once again, the drawing is exquisite; each form is beautifully rendered; each line is perfectly placed. The composition is tight and seamless; the eye is immediately captured and drawn into the piece. The scene is one of swirling violence as these creatures attack and envelop the sabertooth. The pterodactyls are given an almost rocklike texture and appearance that reinforces their intimidating presence. The sabertooth has a curious and magnificent expression that seems to cry out, “how dare you attack me!” His face is an interesting blend of instinctive fear and savage rage. Frazetta’s animal work is simply sensational. There is always such a palpable living presence in his animal drawings that screams with brutal life. Frazetta’s carefully weighted lines are vivacious and filled with an irrepressible mercurial vitality. The ferocious circular motion of pterodactyls and sabertooth define a world onto itself, aesthetically self-contained with forms entwined in nature’s dance of death. The eye is in constant movement among the varying light and dark areas, carefully placed to reinvigorate our attention at each moment of viewing. It is so intensely real in its effect that Frazetta only adds the most minor suggestion of earth and rock at the tiger’s feet in order to provide a real foundation for the fight. Without that virtuoso touch, the creatures would float in a void. The overall effect would be greatly diminished. This is the type of deep insight that sets Frazetta apart from other artists. A slightly different variation of this theme, equally brilliant, can be seen on the cover drawing for At The Earth’s Core where thirteen sabertooths attack a mastodon, a masterful blend of savage forms.
$30,000 - $50,000

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by Profiles in History
December 11, 2015 11:00 AM PST
26662 Agoura Rd
Calabasas, CA, US 91302

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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $249,999 $10,000
$250,000 + $25,000