41. (Frazetta) Lord of the Jungle (Master of Adventure cover). (1974) Accomplished in mixed media on 7 x 9 in. artists’ leaf. This is Frank’s favorite study. On the sheet he writes “my favorite rough”. It’s more than a rough; it’s a miniature fully fleshed-out oil and watercolor. It’s never been published or seen. I always thought it would make a compelling cover for a book. It drips with atmosphere. This was the great Tarzan oil that Frank wanted to paint, but he never did. All we have left is this wondrous idea, beautifully executed. The Frazetta sketch sheet reproduced is a masterpiece. It is alive! It is three dimensional, a living world to enter. Frank labels it as his favorite rough. It is the study he did for the Master of Adventure paperback cover. He was very pleased with the study. He even mentions it during Russ Cochran’s interview in volume 3 of the Edgar Rice Burroughs Library of Illustration volume. The original explodes with energy as Tarzan howls at the moon. The colors are subtle and carefully blended. It is a multi-media candy store of pencil, watercolor, gouache, and oils. Frank took great pains to get the figure of Tarzan bellowing at the moon just right. The composition is seamless perfection. When looking at it in the original, one can really feel the jungle and viscerally respond to Tarzan’s wild presence. The music Frank chose to mention at the top of the page was something he was listening to at the time of its creation. The music is very moody and mysterious, a perfect blend with the setting. The final painting is different. Frank added a bunch of animals. He clogged-up the visual space. It was not a success and he knew it. He quickly repainted the whole scene, keeping only the foreground limbs and adding a standing girl. It was very unusual for Frank to go from a perfect idea and have it lead to something so differently expressed in the final stage. I never asked Frank about that. I assumed it was a sore point with him.
$10,000 - $15,000

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

Profiles in History

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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