I am just guessing that Fred was inspired by this painting.
I also feel that Fred liked Maxfields art. If you are not
familiar with his work you should search some of it out.
I think he shows up in some of Fred's techniques.
I have never seen this painting talked about with the
King Maker piece. There are some similarities. Thoughts?
SP
4 comments:
Imagine if Fred had painted Doc Savage crying on his sleeve....gasp...we never would have heard the end of that. lol.
It would be interesting to get Robert's insight. Since the family had the desire to hang onto Fred's childhood art, they might also have ideas as to his influences. I know in his letter to me he had been looking at a deal of contemporary painting prior to his death. He may have just had fondness for that particular painting. That's what I think anyway. As an illustrator myself, I've done the same sort of thing.
Fred possessed a great admiration for the 1920's and 1930's Art Deco style of architecture and interior design. It's important to make note of this here as we compare his King Maker piece to the work by Maxfield Parrish. The grand throne of cold marble with its distinct "Deco" look is the instant key to similarity upon first viewing both works.
Personally, I think Fred chose his throne design as a kind of "weird take" on the famous Lincoln Memorial statue of the seated Abe by Daniel Chester French....the design of the background in Fred's painting cleverly echoing the huge columns that one associates with the approach to the Lincoln Memorial. And, of course, since so many people over time have come to automatically associate a sense of greatness and awe with a colossal statue of a seated hero, any design incorporating that theme is almost guaranteed to achieve a powerful effect.
Great thoughts from both of you, thanks. I never thought about the Lincoln connection. Excellent.
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