There is a third book in the series, Kaywana Blood, which the cover was not done by Pfeiffer. I believe the date of the book was 1979 and was probably published after he had left the Bantam fold, a mistake that he lamented later on (well, at least he regretted leaving NYC).
The stark contrast between light and dark in this piece reminds me of a very interesting moment in my long conversation with Fred back in 1973. It concerned the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art in Kansas City, located not too far from where I attended college in the very early 70's.
I was so interested in art back then that I visited the Nelson almost every single day, and a particular work by the centuries old master Carravagio, JOHN THE BAPTIST, owned by the gallery (although only one version of probably several painted by the artist) was one of the paintings that I always had to stop by and admire. In truth, I was mesmerized by the effect of chiaroscuro for which Carravagio was so well known...that style of painting whereby the ultimate contrast between light and dark is employed by the artist.
In my talk with Fred I was telling him of my almost daily jaunts to the gallery and of my fascination for a painting that I felt was so representative of how I would love to paint. But, before I could even mention the title of the picture he beat me to it and said "John The Baptist by Carravagio"...and smiled at me just as though he had once experienced the very same feeling of ambition as I had upon viewing that work.
Yes, Fred too was very VERY fond of the painting technique of chiaroscuro executed so skillfully by Carravagio, and I can't imagine him painting this piece without at least once thinking back to the day when he too stood before that John The Baptist painting and admired that style that he too would someday master.
3 comments:
The painting style is unmistakeable Pfeiffer.
There is a third book in the series, Kaywana Blood, which the cover was not done by Pfeiffer. I believe the date of the book was 1979 and was probably published after he had left the Bantam fold, a mistake that he lamented later on (well, at least he regretted leaving NYC).
The stark contrast between light and dark in this piece reminds me of a very interesting moment in my long conversation with Fred back in 1973. It concerned the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art in Kansas City, located not too far from where I attended college in the very early 70's.
I was so interested in art back then that I visited the Nelson almost every single day, and a particular work by the centuries old master Carravagio, JOHN THE BAPTIST, owned by the gallery (although only one version of probably several painted by the artist) was one of the paintings that I always had to stop by and admire. In truth, I was mesmerized by the effect of chiaroscuro for which Carravagio was so well known...that style of painting whereby the ultimate contrast between light and dark is employed by the artist.
In my talk with Fred I was telling him of my almost daily jaunts to the gallery and of my fascination for a painting that I felt was so representative of how I would love to paint. But, before I could even mention the title of the picture he beat me to it and said "John The Baptist by Carravagio"...and smiled at me just as though he had once experienced the very same feeling of ambition as I had upon viewing that work.
Yes, Fred too was very VERY fond of the painting technique of chiaroscuro executed so skillfully by Carravagio, and I can't imagine him painting this piece without at least once thinking back to the day when he too stood before that John The Baptist painting and admired that style that he too would someday master.
Rob-
As always your comments and insights and Fred Pfeiffer history are a delight to read.
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