Cool News
The Greatest Artist of the 20th Century is Dead. Long Live Frank Frazetta!
Hey folks, Harry here with some sad, but not entirely unexpected news. My favorite painter of the 20th Century has gone.
What made Frank Frazetta my favorite artist?
Well... you see, I was raised in a Comic Book shop called N.E. Mercantile Inc. as a child of the Seventies. At that time, Frank's mass subconscious imagery that he pulled out of the minds of those that read Edgar Rice Burroughs and Robert E Howard... well, it was everywhere. I grew up surrounded by his prints - My father is a devout follower of Frazetta's life's work. He taught me how to spot Frazetta's line work even when he was ghosting on other work to which his iconic signature was not attached. But when that glorious signature peppered a work, my god... what a work.
Frazetta painted my favorite female body type - not the anorexic teenage flat belly, but a womanly shape with a heft to the breasts and slight paunch to the belly and shapely thighs. His women were affected by gravity, but in the same way that a woman longing for your caress is held by gravity.
But it wasn't merely the genius of his way with the female form... as exquisite as it was. No, Frazetta unleashed a visual awesome unmatched by any other artist in history. His brush strokes were deep and fierce - not the light smooth paintings of most modern timid artists. Frank painted passionately and you could see that passion in his work.
He had an ability to freeze the exact second upon which everything hinged. The calm before the frenzy, the contemplation of doom. Frank changed fantasy art forever, if only giving all artists that followed a peak that none have reached.
I haven't spoken much about my time on JOHN CARTER OF MARS, while it was in development for those long years at Paramount, but during that time I was tasked with bringing each of the various directors that we worked with to the project - and in all cases - I used the carrot of Frazetta to bring them in closer. The dream of capturing on film the vision of John Carter that Frank Frazetta painted oh so briefly in his time toying with Barsoom... it was the challenge that brought Robert Rodriguez, Guillermo Del Toro, Kerry Conran and Jon Favreau to the project. We wanted to capture that spirit and that tone. So much so, that while Rodriguez was on board directing, we actually had Frank agreed to artistically supervise the work being done by our concept artists. His stroke kept him from being able to do any real output, but Rodriguez flew up to meet with Frank at his museum and I was honored to spend a bit of time on the phone with Frank... someone that I hadn't met since I was about 7 years old.
Frank changed cinema in a way that is subtle and often unspoken - but all you need do is look at film in the wake of his time as THE pop culture artist of the time. He captured the collective Id of those that ever dreamt of fantasy.
Frazetta, like Ray Harryhausen, is a towering figure for most serious genre lovers. When the genre was typically under-financed - it was these two men that kept the dream alive. Ray at 24 frames a second and Frazetta with a single unconnected frame.
I have two Frazetta works hanging in my living room. One was a production gift from Paul Dini after he finished the first draft on GHOST TOWN, the other was from Robert Rodriguez when we were making JOHN CARTER. Ironically enough, Robert only just gave me this PRINCESS OF MARS piece last week, as it was lost in his storage.
The dream of capturing Frazetta is alive in many filmmakers, let us hope it is alive in Andrew Stanton and Marcus Nispel as they each tackle a pair of Frank's most iconic work with John Carter and Conan respectively.
I still have yet to see anything come close to capturing the essence of Frazetta on film. Well, other than FIRE & ICE which he worked on with Ralph Bakshi - and of course the brilliant documentary on Frank called PAINTING WITH FIRE. Here's a series of Videos showing off some of Frank's work... It really is the way to discover his brilliance. And I'd kill for a Frazetta App.
I keep hoping we will have another artist that produces such a gut reaction to their art as I have when i look at Frank's work. Be it a pencil sketch or a finished oil, there is something astonishing about his work. Right now, I'm trying to save up to buy a Frazetta nude pencil that my wife and I both feel captures her perfectly. And yes, that makes me a very happy man.
Frank Frazetta will continue to live through his art and the influence his art has given a myriad of artists in just about every medium. Today a God died, but I for one, will continue to worship at his altar... in my living room.
I keep hoping we will have another artist that produces such a gut reaction to their art as I have when i look at Frank's work. Be it a pencil sketch or a finished oil, there is something astonishing about his work. Right now, I'm trying to save up to buy a Frazetta nude pencil that my wife and I both feel captures her perfectly. And yes, that makes me a very happy man.
Frank Frazetta will continue to live through his art and the influence his art has given a myriad of artists in just about every medium. Today a God died, but I for one, will continue to worship at his altar... in my living room.
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R.I.P Frank.
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R.I.P Frank.
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A brilliant man.
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Art is forever - life is fleeting.
Rest in Peace.
The only other artist whose work triggers this kind of response in me is Brom... -
ARE YOU OUT OF YOUR FUCKING MIND?What an ignorant statement. Hyperbole=Bullshit.
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it is an "ignorant statement" shared by a great many. You should do well to investigate the artist more - instead of being a reactionary jerk
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The man is gone, but the art is forever.
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by me for a major influence in my fascination with fantasy art alongside Boris Vallejo. His work on the movie 'Fire and Ice' is another endearing memory as is that forever haunting picture of the Death-Dealer! R.I.P Frank, your works will never be forgotten!
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Whatever criticisms you may have of Frazetta's status as an artist, the comments section of his obituary on the day of his death seems like a less than tactful opportunity to express them.
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He seemed to reach right into our minds and paint what we saw... His CONAN book covers were, are, and will always be the definitive look for the legendary Cimmerian. You can see his influence in Liam Sharp, Chris Achilleos... so many other artists, many of whom got into art through the passion and fierce beauty of Frank's work. Harry, you are fortunate indeed to have ever met such a master. The world will ever be poorer for his passing.
RIP Frank Frazetta, and thank you for bringing all our dreams to life. Rest easy in the halls of Valhalla!! -
RIP Frank, thanks for the images burned into my brain.
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To a kid growing up and seeing those covers on their favorite books and pulps he was the greatest. Totally great imagery. Much like the Doc Savage pocket book covers of the 60's as well. Stuff to fire a young boys imagination.
RIP -
that you have in your home! I'm sure I speak for all of us when I say that we'd love to see them!
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A great man and brilliant artist. Thanks for the inspiration.
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I'm a jerk because I think Picasso and Pollock were more important 20th century artists? Perhaps in the sub-genre of fantasy art Frazetta was king. Doesn't change the fact that the hyperbole is unjustified on your part.
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He was old and he was ill, but I this news still shocked the hell out of me. Terribly sad. The world lost a visionary. I used to refer to Frazetta as my favourite living artist. That might be a selfish way to look at this, but that's where it hit me first.
Godspeed, and may flights of chesty barbarian women wing you to your rest. -
with my parents. Frazetta's work was definitely recognizable. He pretty much drew the template for the fantasy ideal. Death is stupid.
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If there is a GOD, he is jealous as fuck, and by now getting tips from the master. His art work is outstanding, absolutely amazing and awe-inspiring. Truly the greatest fantasy artist of all time.
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Well, I would say he's the greatest Fantasy artist of the 20th Century. I don't think any other fantasy artist had quite as much of an impact. Whether or not he is the greatest overall artist of the 20th century is up for debate. I would personally pick Salvador Dali for that just because he's so darn trippy... However, art is subjective, so whatever floats your boat.
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they are the three that i admire the most of the last century. JCOM the movie just got it violin to play against the geeks. and not having seen one single frame of the film. I already hate it. I hate it becuase it will never look like Frank made them. This was the movie to be adult cgi. too usher in a new look totally and tonally it's own but heavily inspired or lifted from franks art. Fuck!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
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Bisley is better. I know it ... You know it.
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I was lucky enough to meet he and his wife at his museum in PA back in the 80's. They were great people. This man was from a different time of both sensibilities and art. You will never see a character like him or anything approaching his artwork and abilites ever again.
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Sorry to be nit-picky, but "reactionary" doesn't mean what you think it does.Sad news; googling his art produces some pretty sweet pictures (I am ignorant).
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i nomminate Paul Laffoly.I can find no one in history who opperates on his level.Dont know Paul Laffoly?Go look him up.R.I.P.Frank,my world wouldnt be the same without you.
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wouldn't waste my money on the former. going to look at LEGACY now. RIP
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May 10, 2010 5:13:56 PM CDT
Agreed: Frazetta was the Greatest *Fantasy* Artist of the 20th C
by le vicious fishus
And--yeah--big guy. You do have a tendency to exaggerate. But that's why so many of us love you.RIP, Frank. You and your exceptional artwork will be missed.
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http://tinyurl.com/29q6g4h
the lockhorns meet frank frazetta -
The heroic moment with its frenzied energy and savage desperation that Frazetta captured again and again during his career was nothing less than brilliant. I have stared at his paintings countless times looking over each brushstroke, each design element and studied the method of its technique and yet it has a power beyond a painter's control and conscious understanding. Frazetta's magic touch with a brush seized the essence of myth in a manner that made it seem so effortless and intimate that you could smell the blood and sweat of its epic struggle and yet at the same moment be awestruck by how the artist pulled the curtain of legend aside and allowed you, a mere mortal, to stare at gods and monsters battling for a universe.
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many thanks for your wonderful art
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Why couldn't Frazetta be the greatest artist of the 20th Century? Because he's not covered in a University Art Appreciation class? Because he wasn't widely recognized and celebrated by the masses(or mainly the rich masses)? There seem to be a whole lotta masses here who appreciated him...
I think Harry feels you are a jerk not because of your opinion(which is as valid as anyone else's) but because of how you went about it. Also, it's not Hyperbole if it is not deliberate use of exaggeration. If you feel he's exaggerating, then say so but the word hyperbole isn't correct in this context. -
Many vans in the 70's would have gone unadorned without his inspiration.
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May 10, 2010 5:22:50 PM CDT
"Today is the passing of king. Aye, and more than kings."
by generaljackcosmo
--Robert E. Howard.
RIP Frank. You are the GOAT. -
He was "the artist's artist". Thank you for your vision.Simply the best that ever did it.
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Please post your address so I can come to your house and knee you in the fucking face.
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Period
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He was a great artist. He invented a genre. It is not hyperbole to claim the greatest of the 20th century. I think he was as talented as any of the Wyeth family for sure. He drew moments, and he was exceptional at it. Not camp either, he was a serious fantasy artist.
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He was indeed a telent of epic propotions that brought uber-realism to the world of fantasy art. He has inspired so many...dazzled millions...Frank is an art icon to me and will be sadly missed. What Frank did in life, with echo in eternity. R.I.P. to an original master of the genre.
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hyperbole is warranted.
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He did amazing work, but I wouldn't say he's greater than Dali, Picasso, Rockwell, Escher, or Magritte. Harry no doubt being the geek he is, has a penchant for fantasy and sci-fi art, so it's no surprise that Franzetta is his favorite. The title is just 100% his opinion. Truthfully, there can never be a "greatest artist" because art is so subjective, only the most popular or renowned artists. RIP Franzetta
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you can see overrated paint line splatter king Pollock. I hate everything Pollock has ever done, he is nothing to me. Next to "Deserving of every known art accolade, and nearly impossible to overhype" is a picture of Frank.
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Is indeed an awesome documentary and of course Fire & Ice is classic. I'll be watching them both tonight in honor of the great Frazetta! R.I.P.
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Don't know if I'd go as far as saying he was the greatest of the 20th century though. His Conan truly is the iconic image of the character. And I also love the painting Wolfmother used on the cover of their debut album.
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I'm at a loss. I truly feel we've all suffered a serious loss. All I can say is "Thank you, Mr. Frazetta."
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Between this and Gene Colan's bad accident (fell and hurt himself, but not in great shape) - shit. All the comic book greats I grew up with, dropping away one by one. Such a fucking drag.
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But i instantly recognised his work, which actually says alot.
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sarcasm obviously but wanted to draw an equally as absurd 'geek-in-a-bubble' parallel
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You will be missed, old friend.
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to call Frazetta the greatest of this century. He's meant more to me than Picasso, or Dali.. And Pollack, although important to art history, doesn't deserve a seat at the table. I don't think any artist of this century has had as many imitators. I'd say that just about every artist who works in comics today would list him as an influence.
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"He is Conan, Cimmerian, he won't cry, so I cry for him."
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Is your exposure to art really limited to the packages of action figures and Comic Con t-shirts? He was good and he contributed something unique in the 70's but after that, even in the fantasy genre he was considered to be kind of cheesy. I think he and Boris Vallejo probably went to the same art school.
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vapid, yes - valid? no
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He contributed something significant to pop culture but not so much to the art world in general. He takes his place in history alongside the guy who drew the Iron Maiden Zombie.
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Take your ignorance elsewhere. This thread is not for you. It's for the Icon that we have lost. If you are so dead in your heart an honor that you cannot see the strength and beauty of his works, then you are beyond passion for life.
Rest In Peace Frank. We shall not see your like again. Thank you for showing us love, honor, strength, passion, and courage with your visions. -
You're an idiot. Just stop posting while you're ahead.
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...there is an extremely reasonable argument to be made that Frazetta was the most influential American illustrator of the 20th century.
To compare him to people like Bisley and Vallejo is absurd.
Rockwell and N.C. Wyeth, those are the people this guy gets compared to. -
First of all Paplo Picasso was the greatest.
Then I would probably go with Dali.
Then Pollock
Andy Warhol is above this guy.
I would say he probably falls somewhere between Jack Kirby and Todd McFarlane. -
You are a either a classless fucking douchebag who is trolling someone's tribute forum, or you are a total fucking idiot who has absolutely no idea what the hell he is talking about.
Either way, you are a load that your mother should have swallowed. -
It's like an art criticism class at the Rose Kennedy Institute in here.
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who defined a generation
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Agreed. Frazetta's influence was immeasurable. Boris was one of many who took a page from his book. Nice to see some love for Wyeth here.
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Kirby is only as influential as Frazetta in the comics world. In terms of contemporary illustration in general, he is nowhere near the same level.
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May 10, 2010 6:37:03 PM CDT
But really, I feel like the most important art of the 20th
by jackslater4
century was done with film, but it's such a collaborative effort it's something else.
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But I can definitely appreciate his influence and am sad to see him pass.
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McFarlane on the same level as Kirby and Frazetta? You can't be fucking serious.
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Ansel Adams was a FUCKING PHOTOGRAPHER!
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At the age of 8 he was taken into the Brooklyn Academy of Fine Arts, where he was mentored by Michael Falanga an Italian classicist painter. Frazetta continued to paint in this classical style his entire career. This is just one of the aspects that makes his artwork stand out amongst his contemporaries. It is fair and fitting to compare him to DaVinci, and other artists. They share a technique in common. Frazetta's work has always drawn forth emotion at the deepest level in me. If DaVinci was painting today, he would be painting movie posters and book covers. I make no error in comparing Frazetta's work to other classic artists. And I judge it superior.
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...the cheese-fest that is Boris Vallejo.
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You were a singular talent
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Way out of the league of hacks like McFarlane. In terms of technical and expressive ability (according to classical Western principles of draftsmanship ), He shares company with the likes of the Wyeths, Rockwell, Leyendecker, Sargent. His best work would sit comfortably next to a Delacroix or Hals, possibly even overpowering the work of those legends. Even the use of inferior materials (by classical standards) did nothing to diminish the impact and evident quality of his images. Many 20th century artists were probably as or more influential or 'important', but for sheer drawing ability they would be lucky to equal him, let alone surpass.
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it would be a side hobby when he wasn't creating batjets and mech-suits, non-lethal weaponry, time machines, clean energy, green cities, and photo real virtual reality
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May 10, 2010 6:47:28 PM CDT
I concur that both Kirby and Frazetta were the best artists of t
by stalkeye
but McFarlane?!?"Bad call Ripley, Bad call.."
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Frazetta among the true great illustrators of the past century, which would also include Maxfield Parrish, Kirby and several others.
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is a combo of Frazetta and Corben.
Back in the mid to late 80's a health claim crossed my path and when I saw the famous "Frank Frazetta" signature I froze. He led a long life and his work will live on amongst genre fans. I kick myself for never taking the trek to his PA museum... -
was darn excellent, too.
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Hanna Barbera
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Lena Horn died too....who is next?
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And he was a true original. So powerful, his work. The Conan covers will forever burn in my brain, his Creepy, Eerie, Vampie covers of the '60s and so much more. Even those Molly Hatchet albums with average Southern Rock inside.
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googled to find more info and found his kids are f-ing fighting over the paintings of their dad. Didn't know his lovely wife had passed last year...:
His children have fought over an estate estimated to be worth tens of millions of dollars, filing lawsuits in Pennsylvania and Florida.
His son, Alfonso Frank Frazetta, 52, was charged in December with using a backhoe to break into the artist's museum in Pennsylvania's Pocono Mountains and trying to remove 90 paintings insured for $20 million. The charges were dropped late last month after two days of mediation produced a truce.
"It is resolved, but there's always new issues that can come out," daughter Heidi Frazetta Grabin said.
Frazetta had a history of strokes, but appeared well and was still painting, she and Pistella said.
Grabin and her sister, Holly Frazetta Taylor, dined out with their father Sunday to celebrate Mother's Day, then walked with him on Englewood Beach.
"We had a lovely time, and he just talked about how beautiful the sunset was, and how his next studio was going to have windows around it overlooking the Gulf," Grabin said.
Alfonso Frank Frazetta did not return a message Monday.
A lawsuit he had filed in Florida alleged that his sisters and brother Billy were plotting to wrest control of the family business and fortune from him after their mother died in July 2009. -
I have lots of love for Frazetta's work. It pretty much inspired me to start to draw the human figure in middle school. All those ERB paperbacks and those hardcover Doubleday Barsoom books, the Conan books I just bought for the cover and then the Ballentine collections of his work I'd cull from the 2nd hand bookstore. Frazetta had his fingers on the pulse of something magical. His women were the sexiest, his men were the manliest, and always misted with some kind of atmosphere, like looking through heat (even in the frosty, blue paintings). He was incredible and influenced a whole generation of illustrators.Is he the greatest artist of the 20th century. Personally, I don't think so. The greatest illustrator of the 20th century? Hmm, still a toss up between him and Wyeth. Greatest fantasy artist of all time? I would totally get behind that statement. (And shame on those who equate him to Boris Vallejo, though.) I'd agree with those that say there have probably been more important artists to culture and Art in the pervious century. I think there were artists who had more interesting things to say through their work. But Frazetta's talent and singular vision made his work something extraordinary and exceptional.
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His "Death Dealer" book cover is why I started reading that series. He will be missed.
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He KILLED almost every artist who tried to get close. Hopefully, God's putting his prodigious skills to work, designing the next generation of hot women. :)
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He KILLED almost every artist who tried to get close. Hopefully, God's putting his prodigious skills to work, designing the next generation of hot women. :)
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...all formed lasting images of the fantasy world. Frank and Tim are gone. Hail to them all.
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Although my love of film/animation has probably surpassed my love of painting at this point (hard to compete with imagery AND motion AND sound), looking at his work is as entertaining as any adventure film ever made, and I can't say that about many other graphic artists.
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...that headline.
I wish Harry had avoided controversy with ridiculous art statements and just praised the man as the kickassingest fantasy illustrator of all time. -
one week ago.
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After reading the 1995 Comics Journal Frazetta interview I really got a sense that he put his own instinctual physicality in his paintings, and it really did help separate him from the herd. Perhaps his scope was a bit narrow, but for what he did, he was the master. So much fantasy art nowadays is merely a milquetoast derivative of Frazetta.
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What does it matter if Frazetta is the greatest or not? He was truly one of kind and obviously inspired countless of us with his talent. This debate only serves to show that us talkbackers can ruin anything.
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For anyone that read Conan or John Carter of Mars the first thing that comes to mind if Frazetta. His work just had the look that made everyone else pale by comparison. RIP to the man who formed my idea of what all my childhood literary heroes should look like.
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The only ones ruining this thread are the dickless trolls in here talking shit about the GOAT.
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Quite right and I sincerely apologize for my part to lead it there.
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Frank Frazetta should definitely be honored here at AICN - very influential
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Quit your moaning about, "HE'S NOT THE GREATEST..." Shut up. Seriously just shut it. A man is dead. An amazing artist. Show some respect for the dead.
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was majorly inspired by frazetta ... Love Bizley stuff ... frazetta is the true king tho .. RIP Long Rest the King
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Frazetta was a god amongst men in the realms of fantasy art.
The man could draw!! That's why he was superior to the others - a basic ability to draw the human figure without relying on tricks and made-up creatures. His anatomy was superb, and his painting skills unmatched. We are truly lucky for the gifts he gave us. -
...CezanneGustav Klimt Monet Matisse Gauguin Paul Klee Egon Schiele Edward Hopper Lucian Freud Pierre Bonnard Edvard Munch Amadeo Modigliani Marc Chagall Balthus Juan Miro Anselm Kiefer
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I've seen special large exhibits of Picasso, Dali and many other "giants" of 20th century "high art."
All of them are unbelievably overrated. Some outstanding and interesting things here and there, but mostly boring and repetitive.
Frazetta was more of a real artist than most of the so-called giants of 20th century art. Thank you, Frank for giving the world such wonderful things to see.
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Thought it worthy to note here, that after his last serious stroke he had lost most of the motor control of his right hand. After that he taught himself to continue painting with his left hand. Mastery of his art, pure and simple.
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Yeah so Picasso, Dali, Matisse, Pollack all pale in comparison to a guy who drew Barabarians?
Huh. -
I'll take Alberto Vargas over him any day of the week!
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Art is subjective. Getting into verbal warring over who is the better of what style/time/era is pointless.(Like Talkbacks). But the fact of the matter is that that he was a prominent artist of many generations, who put his signature of a several mediums. As chronicled by PAINTING WITH FIRE, Frazetta worked in comic strip then went to movie posters THEN to fantasy art, all of which were done in completely different styles. This was tough man who worked hard at his craft and fought adversity head on. After a stroke, he learned to paint with his OTHER hand! We should all be so skilled and so strong of character. My father introduced me to his art and grew to love it as well. The thing that set his work apart for me was the depth of his background. His backgrounds always felt as if they went back for yards and held something even in the darkest shadows. I had always held out hope to one day have an original piece done by him. But I at least have his previous works to admire. Requiescat in pace, Mr. Frazetta. You will be missed.
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And the greatest director who ever lived made movies about samurai having swordfights. Your point?
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You have to go back to Rembrandt to get an artist of his talent. A great artist indead. His flesh tones were spot on because he studied the old masters techniques. He used an underpainting and then added colors gradually. I'll miss his work greatly.
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... Dick Cheney is still breathing. There is no God. Rest in Peace Frank.
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"I had no idea who he was, but i instantly recognised his work, which actually says alot."barnabyjones summed it up perfectly for me. I remember gawking over his artwork at my local newstand when I was younger. Amazing talent.
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Let's go to the louve and rip down all the mediocre paintings by hacks like Picasso. And DiVinci, he sucks. The Mona Lisa would be better if she had bigger tits and was wearing a fur bikini. Also if there was a volcano going off and someone riding a dinosaur in the background.
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was better than many of the works of most of the so-called artists of the 20th century. i'm looking at you, WARHOL
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You're arguing with the wreong guy: I never said Frazetta was the greatest artist of the 20th century.
I said: "After Norman Rockwell, there is an extremely reasonable argument to be made that Frazetta was the most influential American illustrator of the 20th century."
Davinci, by the way, not a 20th century artist.
But you do have me convinced...that you're a dick. -
Well played.
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May 10, 2010 7:45:07 PM CDT
...off the top of my head, I'd put N.C. Wyeth as the most...
by flickapoo
...influential illustrator of the 20th century.
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I put Frazetta and Wyeth and Rockwell in the same class. Everyone else, below.
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It's like he single-handedly invented the genre of cheesy sci-fi/fantasy/buxom chick in chainmail bikini being menaced be some kind of half-human half-snake creature--all by himself! Wow!
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If any of you little bitches had ever fucked a chick 1/10 as hot as the ones Frazetta illustrated, you wouldn't be such negative little faggots. Flame away motherfuckers...you and I both know the truth.
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Some TB's say hurtful things, only because they're anonymous without any care for the feelings of others.If you don't have anything decent or constructive to say in a civilised manner then it's best kept to yourself!RIP Frank, he inspired a generation and possibly more!
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would have ripped a little homo like Fiester's head off and then shit down his neck. Truth.
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That's the whole point of TBs for these bitches: after they spend all day getting shit on by the top of the food chain, and laughed at or just outright ignored by any halfway attractive females, they come on here and talk shit to make themselves feel superior. It would be funny if it weren't so fucking pathetic.
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surprised the article with the obit didn't mention this. now it just sucks that they're moving the paintings away from Frank F's museum in PA. Always planned a trip there after hearing some guys at the local comic shop plan a road trip there a year or two ago.
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1970s van art. Whooptie-freakin'-do.
"Greatest Artist of the 20th Century?" Are you out of your fucking mind? That's the most ridiculous statement ever printed on this site. It's ignorant of 20th century art in general. Better than Picasso? Vincent van Gogh, Paul Cézanne, Paul Gauguin, Georges Seurat? Edvard Munch, Marc Chagall, Amedeo Modigliani? Wassily Kandinsky, Hilma Klint, Paul Klee, Edward Hopper, Andrew Wyeth, Balthus, Lucian Freud? Ah, and many many more.
You need to put down the Conan books and take an art history course, Headgeek. -
You're dreaming if you believe anything you just wrote. Enjoy, you sad little choad.
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You're right but it's the whole 'anonymous' thing that gives them the courage to say such things in such ways.Would they converse in such a manner in a bar or social event of any kind? I have no idea, but I'm sure they would understand very quickly that this is not the way to endear yourself to others or to get ahead in life!
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Okay, as usual there are polarizing opinions here. Frank Frazetta was a giant in the arena he was a part of. To say that anyone is the greatest will invariably start the storm of partisan posturing, if for no other reason than to start crap. Whether or not you agree that Frazetta was the greatest (and frankly I think he is up there) is based on your view of what art is.And let's remember, comic book artists were considered hacks at one point, in spite of the work of King Kirby. And if you look at early comic art, you'd might agree. But Kirby made it possible for artists like Steranko, Layton, Wrightson and others to break thru. And for those who were really on the edge, fantasy was that outlet. Heavy Metal is where I discoverd Frazetta, and he influenced my own talent for art, which grew into a graphics design and web dev carreer.As Randy mentioned above, Art is Subjective. Go look up the initial reaction to all of those fine pieces of art mentioned above; a lot of people thought they were garbage too. But that did not stop them from inspiring and giving people something to appreciate.And I know this won't matter to those who just have to be asses and make snide comments at the passing of anyone, as some visitors of this site too often demonstrate, but for the rest of us, we'll continue to be civil, and offer condolences for Mr. Frazetta, and wish his family well.End of Sermon.
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Frazetta was a great man, and one of the most infuential American artists of the 20th century whether you like it or not. I don't need to know you to know that you will never achieve 1/100 of the things that this man did. You are a pathetic waste of life, and your negativity speaks volumes about you. Happy, well-adjusted people don't some into tribute threads for people like Frazetta and talk shit about their talent and legacy for no reason other than to troll and be dicks. Fact.
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...I mean, he's up against Picasso, Matisse, Pollock and many others. However, I'd say he was the greatest fantasy illustrator ever. Also, unlike a plethora of other illustrators, Frazetta was a true artist, every savage brushstroke both seethed with creativity and was placed exactly where it needed to be. His images weren't realistic but instead denoted an artistic reality that, in each painting or drawing, was more realistic than reality and suited the subject matter perfectly.
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...Van Gogh died in 1890. Nineteenth Century, that.
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This is an obit. I assume these kids think it is all good fun to go into a funeral home and poke fun at the deceased. You may disagree with the ways we choose to pay homage and honor Mr. Frazetta, but this is not the place for it. Your lack of manners reflect on your upbringing, and your own lack of personal honor. Leave and let us honor the man, and his talent.
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Well said, sir.
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May 10, 2010 8:09:25 PM CDT
I assume these kids think it is all good fun to go into a funera
by generaljackcosmo
They would never do that because they are fucking pussies and would get theri asses beat for that. The only reason they haven't gotten their asses beat for this shit is because the technology does not yet exist to allow me to reach through the monitor and choke them. Hopefully, someday soon.
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From the moment that art ceases to be food that feeds the best minds, the artist can use his talents to perform all the tricks of the intellectual charlatan. Most people can today no longer expect to receive consolation and exaltation from art. The 'refined,' the rich, the professional 'do-nothings', the distillers of quintessence desire only the peculiar, the sensational, the eccentric, the scandalous in today's art.
I myself, since the advent of Cubism, have fed these fellows what they wanted and satisfied these critics with all the ridiculous ideas that have passed through my mind. The less they understood them, the more they admired me. Through amusing myself with all these absurd farces, I became celebrated, and very rapidly. For a painter, celebrity means sales and consequent affluence. Today, as you know, I am celebrated, I am rich.
But when I am alone, I do not have the effrontery to consider myself an artist at all, not in the grand old meaning of the word: Giotto, Titian, Rembrandt, Goya were great painters. I am only a public clown - a mountebank. I have understood my time and have exploited the imbecility, the vanity, the greed of my contemporaries. It is a bitter confession, this confession of mine, more painful than it may seem. But at least and at last it does have the merit of being honest.
Pablo Picasso, 1952 -
...the Canada of fantasy artists. There's no comparison to Frazetta there. His stiff, posed, ridiculously photorealistic renderings of subject matter that had no business being photorealistic, much less stiff and posed, alway creeped me out.
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DAMN. That was NAILS. I am truly impressed.
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RIP to a Great artist you and your work will be missed!
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... Yeah maybe so, but stand in front of a Picasso work and the genius still cuts through all the crap. But let's quit with all the whoever vs. Frazetta comparisons. It's like comparing apples and orangutans. Let's instead celebrate the life and career of Mr. Frazetta and extend our condolences to his family.
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My respect for Picasso has only grown deeper with that statement.
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By Canada I take it you mean Financially sound and solvent? :)
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...first off there's a difference between the "greatest artist" of his time and the "greatest illustrator". Those two things are not synonymous. Second you can't escape the fact that the imagery is pretty juvenile. No matter how much you or I like it it will not ever be taken seriously in the "serious" art community. Babes and muscle dudes do not equal Art with a capital A. He was a great illustrator and craftsman, but I would not group him among the artists you find in Art History, nor would anyone with an art degree or passing knowledge of art. I LOVE sci-fi and fantasy art, but I wouldn't presume to mix it with the art world, nor would I be naive enough to think that my favorite sci-fi or fantasy illustrator surpasses the great artists of our or any other time. They're apples and oranges.
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Hey Harry..JRB doesnt have to defend his position because he's absoultly right..it's close to the biggest bullshit statement you've ever made on this site. You are out of your fucking mind. Here are a few names for you....Matisse, Pollack, Warhol, Kahlo, Johns, Bacon, Duchamp, Basquiet, Adams, Magritte...Hey Harry..like you asked JRB..Why you don't you do some fucking resarch buddy..I'll have this arguemnt with your fat fucking face 8 days a week and twice on sunday. All you do is nothing but dishonor Fazetta when you make idiotic fucking statements like that..It shows you don't know jack about either art or artists as well as having nothing more than a 9th grade art education...So maybe take a fucking hike when trying to discuss 2oth century art and stick to your fucking action figures.
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Agree. As i said, Frazetta was a giant in the arena he worked in, and any fair comparison must be within those parameters.
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Well, okay, solvent is pushing it...
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Most of Frazetta's work was commissioned...he was hired to do movie posters, book covers, etc. In terms of his draftsmanship, his compositions, and his technique, I have no doubt that he stands toe to toe with guys like Rockwell and Wyeth. The subject matter of his worl is irrelevant: his greatness as an artist defies genre.
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was fantastic, his post cubism stuff, well he pretty much summned it up up himself. Frazetta was definitely the greatist artist in my lifetime. A modern Rembrandt. A master of light and motion. Will be missed.
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Please type "Generation Y" and "entitlement" into Google. You will find what motivates some of the obnoxiousness.
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others evaluate graphic art according by other values. But among draftsman of the 20th century, Fritz is one of the kings. Ink, pencil, watercolor, animals, the human figure, from imagination or the model, he excelled at it all. Artists like Pollock aren't even on the list.
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Rembrandt is the gold standard for any figure or portrait artist, which is what fantasy art is. Picasso was no Rembrandt. Boris, another great artist is more like a Vermeer, Frank was more like a Rembrandt, in terms of style. Both are classical artist in that they do not use the ala prima technique, but use an underpainting. Picasso and modern art is all alla prima and the results are not nearly as good in my opinion...
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RIP Frank.
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shit in a brown paper bag. Can I call it Art? I mean there's a capital A in the front of it so it must be art right? I mean wikipedia says it is. I swear it represents my inner turmoil. Yay,I'm an artist! No skill, talent or training nessesary!
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But I was never into comic books, fantasy adventure films, etc. I'll guarantee you that there are more people who have no idea who he was, than those who do. "The Greatest Artist" headline is quite ridiculous, though.
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I'm sorry but you can show me a certain artists work and go on for days about their influence and affect but if I don't like it I don't like it. What is wrong with Harry feeling that Frazetta was the greatest artist of the 20th century? That was HIS feeling and reaction. Does everyone have to agree - hell no. Isn't the entire point of art to move the viewer? Just because an artist is covered in an art appreciation course or in art books doesn't make them greater than anyone else. Who's to say the greatest artist in the world isn't living an obscure life somewhere hiding away their art? Does that make them less of an artist than someone who has stuff hanging in the Louvre? I remember seeing art made by an old poor woman. She never made a decent buck in her life from her art when she was alive. The art was called Folk Art and it is very childlike I guess - BUT when you see it it is so bright and cheerful and when you found out where she came from and what a crappy life she had and that she lived in a shack, the stuff speaks to me. There was happiness in that woman and it came through her paintings. They are simple technically but are very cheerful. Now of course her art is collected and worth alot of money, but that's not why I like it. What makes her art less than someone else's? How the heck did this turn into such a nasty argument? You like something else? Fine. How about not being an asshole about it?
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May 10, 2010 8:41:00 PM CDT
Most of you guys are talking shit about art
by hey_kobe_tell_me_how_my_ass_tastes
You have no clue, and are basing your opinions about artists on a limited exposure of their work and no historical perspective of their talent or trainng. Idiots.
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...Lena Horne
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No one is denying his technical skills, but technical skills do not equal Art with a capital A. You can draw the "best" dudes with swords of anyone that ever lived, that doesn't rank you with the great artists. Hell, half of the art world (re: people that have degrees in Art, Art History, Art Theory, etc) don't even think Rockwell should be ranked in the "serious" artists of the last century. My mom and dad think he's the greatest artist that's ever lived, but then they don't know jack shit about art. Just like Rockwell, FF is a populist favorite. He's technically brilliant, but what's he saying? Muscle guys with swords are awesome? Chicks with big boobs and swords are hot? Sorry, that may make for great book covers but he isn't "saying" anything that would make me rank him with the great artists of our times. If technical brilliance alone truly transcended genres that shitty Final Fantasy movie would have been considered one of the great movies of our time because it had some serious technique going on.
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if an article was titled, "Harry Declares [insert movie] the Best Move Ever Made!!!" would you HONESTLY think Harry would deem it more important than Citizen Kane? no, he's just excited, and so he uses grandiose, hyperbolic statements. that's just what he does.now he's mourning one of his favorite artists and people, someone who inspired him, and so he uses the same energy to try to properly pay tribute.why on EARTH would you take it as some literal statement of fact? no one can ever quantify the "best" artist of any time, can they? so what's the point in arguing? it's, by definition, an opinion statement.leave others to p[ay tribute to this great artists, and you go play in the sandbox.
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Once again for those slow kids in the crowd. This is an obit to honor Frank Frazetta. My last word on it. I am sickened by reading troll tripe.
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They just don't make 'em like Frank Frazetta any more. So monumentally influential to the genre. Godspeed Sir, Godspeed.
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...an inspiration to millions of aspiring artists, and a class act. So naturally, those without any remarkable talent or basic decency have to try to marginalize his life's work, and Harry's pure love for it, by egotistically proclaiming themselves to be the ultimate arbiters of what constitutes artistic achievement. One truth is universal: on the whole, and as it relates to anything of merit, such people are fucking worthless. Great men die and, as always, all you guys do is bitch at Harry.
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your work was phenomenal!
As a fellow Illustrator I’ve always held your work in very high regard, thanks for all the wonderful imagery over the years! -
I finished a degree with all the art/art history courses required and then some. I still have zero appreciation for Pollock and 100% admiration for Frazetta. It's subjective as stated earlier.
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I totally get where you are coming from...my point is that no one knows if Frazetta was capable of producing the kind of "Art" you are talking about, because he made his living producing commissions. I guess what I am trying to say is...if Rembrandt was best known for illustrating pulp magazines, it would be easy to diminish his talent and/or legacy because of what the subject matter was, etc. We'll truly never know if Frazetta could have produced work that was as personal and struck an emotional chord on the same level as some of the other artists mentioned in this TB; by the same token, though, we will never know if some of those artists would have been able to produce the kind of "low" art that Frazetta was the master of.
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You should say IMHO. Other wise you don't allow for other people's opinion. And inspire Reactionery Jerk's, i know this, because i do it too. P.S. Todd Lockwood Rules!!!
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an obit,with their peas-ant attitude, because the OT expressed his personal opinion about one of his fav idols which just died.
well done guys well done. -
whose own Life was as epic as his work. I once called the Frazetta museum in Pennsylvania to get the store hours of his shop and his wife answered. She's a lovely woman and I spent a great 15 minutes talking to her. She couldn't have been more charming. He will be forever missed and never surpassed.
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IMHO.
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....to his family and friends during this difficult time. Sadness. Siiigh...
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Is that the Artists that are considered "Real Artists" of the 20th Century would have starved to death had they existed in any other period of history because the subculture of sycophantic assholes that allow for these talentless hacks to ply their trade didn't exist yet. Frank Frazetta would have been a contemporary of Rembrandt. Jackson Pollock on the other hand would have been slopping pigs.
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I've spilled paint that looked better than most of his career.
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The truth.
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As I said above I LOVE sci-fi/fantasy illustration, I just don't lump it with the rest of the art world. It's something I enjoy on a completely different level and for different reasons. And to the people complaining about the conversation, are you really trying to control what people are talking about...on the INTERNET? I don't think talking about how his work relates to the rest of the art world is offensive in any way.
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No what Harry is actually doing is completely trivializing the work Frazetta did by posting a headline like (your words) "excited, and so he uses grandiose, hyperbolic statements" like a fucking 5 year old. and that is so fucking insulting when talking about art or artists or to them (I'm guessing you're dont know many or are in the industry, or much about art and illustration). Harry just needs to get in one big circle jerk with his defenders on this one and have a go over their favorite Frazetta print. It would be the exact same thing.
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...Frank Frazetta was a talented and energetic draftsman with a kind of rough and raw genius for the human form.
I love his stuff...he painted juvenile pictures to inspire the twelve year old in all of us, and his women are arguably the most luscious ever illustrated.
All this Great Artist talk is silly. Frazetta kicked glorious ass in his field and gave me a lifelong love for the real female form.
Thank you sir. -
Bisley himself would smack you in the mouth for saying some stupid shit like that. Damn, what an ignorant statement.
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I got no roast beef with you. Opinions are fine. If you know about Pollocks talent, then you know he was a helluva an artist before he found abstract painting. Some idiots only know Pollock from the works they have seen on TV or mags, and not from his early work. The same with Picasso. If someone likes Frazetta better, fine, but know the history of what you are opening your yap about.
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Harry's statement was hyperbole, but if ever an artist had an appreciation for hyperbole it would have been Frazzeta. His artwork was visual hyperbole --that was the point. It captured the world of fantasy perfectly. For that we should all allow Harry's hyperbole to mourn the man's passing. Let it slide.
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...powerful and important as any other artist you could name from the last 100 years. To say that it was MORE powerful and important than a great many of them would not be an exaggeration. To say that his name is more well known than most of them would simply be stating a fact.
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Lousy news. Everybody dies... But still -- what a shame. Frazetta was a god. By rights, some men ought to be immortal.
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I was in a book store back in the day and there was a glossy large softcover on the art of Frazetta. It was filled with these great full page images of his work. I did not have the money, but I wanted that book real real bad. So, after weighing the pros and cons, I decieded that I would have it anyway and up under the shirt it went.I was on a school trip out of town for a wrestling tournament, and when I got home the treasure was discovered in my luggage by my mom. She was going to toss it, as she thought I stole it. I plead my lie, made up a story about how I had extra money, and I got to keep it. Many, many hours spent marveling at Franks work. No one has yet to capture his vibe on film. Heres hoping JOHN CARTER comes close. Thanks for your incredible imagination and talent, Frank Frazzeta. You are missed.
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I love Frazetta, but saying his name is more well known than most famous 20th cen artists is just stupid. You are living in a geek world.
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...how about you make a list of artists you think are important in the last hundred years. Then go out and ask 100 people if they know them. If they do, ask them to describe what kind of art they created. My point will be proven, and quickly. Most art is made for very small cross-sections of wealthy, educated people. And you're quite mistaken about what world I'm living in. I live in the Bay Area and have quite a bit to do with the "art world". But I really have nothing to prove to anybody as I know what I said is correct, exactly as I said it. And notice I didn't say he was "better". I said his influence was just powerful and important as any other artist you could name from the last 100 years. And it was. Deal with it.
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...I love the guy, he was the ultimate spokesman for everyone's inner fourteen year old.
You don't do him any favors by trying to turn him into something he wasn't.
The best sword and sorcery style illustrator of all time is plenty cool. -
He influenced so many artists of today, he will be missed. How heroic fantasy art would have suffered without the contributions of his genius.
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...as you seem to think. He's beloved in the geek world, as he should be, but your random 100 people have no idea who he is.
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Great men create enduring work and leave the squabbling about their legacy to lesser men. In this case, ALL of us here are lesser men.
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pretentious, elitist art school grads think KEITH HARING = genius. clueless snobs
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He must have seen the photos from the new Conan movie.
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And I'm not even sure why you're thinking the way you are. I have a library of art books from the last 100 years in a room down the hall. There are very few artists in that collection who more people would be able to name if you showed them a piece of their art with no signature. And even less of them who you could show 50 other artists unsigned work and STILL have people say it was a Frazetta. His influence was massive and important. End of whatever I have to say on this subject. RIP Frank.
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Totally agree.
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If it had not been for Frank we wouldn't have Boris, much less half of the comic book artists we have today, or the countless heavy metal album/magazine cover artists, novel cover artists,and aspiring fantasy artists that will thrive long after his passing. He may not go down in history as THE greatest of all time, but his influence can NOT be denied.
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or I'll feel cheated. Good as the old-fashioned novel is, it's Frazetta's artwork that made it come alive again.
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Frazetta painting coming to life on the big screen.
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...and will always will be. No doubt about it. Many have come after him and emulated him but, none will ever come close! His eye for composition was more that of a fine artist -along with his ability to create a scene at the height of the action is unmatched! Any aspiring artist who thinks he or she has an interest in fantasy art or comic book art should consider studying the works of Mr. Frazetta a requirement! Frank Frazetta IS and always will be the fantasy art master!!! Rest in peace.
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Fellowship of the Ring.
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May 10, 2010 9:52:26 PM CDT
Frank was one of the last of an ancient breed.
by the reluctant austinite
He was one of the greatest (perhaps THE greatest) fantasy artists of all time. I read all of the Howard Conan novels between the ages of 15 and 18 years old, and every one had those amazing Frazetta covers. In college I had two Frazetta prints on my dorm room wall. This weekend Harry and I will hopefully get to spend some time with one of Frank's fellow fantasy artists, and nephew by marriage, Ken Kelly. The last couple of years of Frank's life were tough ones, esspecially after he lost his beloved wife, and I'm certain he is now happily reunited with her, but I'm still saddened by this loss in the fantasy/AICN universe. All my geek love to Frank Frazetta!
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May 10, 2010 9:52:26 PM CDT
Frank was one of the last of an ancient breed.
by the reluctant austinite
He was one of the greatest (perhaps THE greatest) fantasy artists of all time. I read all of the Howard Conan novels between the ages of 15 and 18 years old, and every one had those amazing Frazetta covers. In college I had two Frazetta prints on my dorm room wall. This weekend Harry and I will hopefully get to spend some time with one of Frank's fellow fantasy artists, and nephew by marriage, Ken Kelly. The last couple of years of Frank's life were tough ones, esspecially after he lost his beloved wife, and I'm certain he is now happily reunited with her, but I'm still saddened by this loss in the fantasy/AICN universe. All my geek love to Frank Frazetta!
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May 10, 2010 9:52:38 PM CDT
Pollock was a drunk, wife beating waste of space...
by david_denmans_beard
and was outclassed in every aspect by Frazetta.
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I mourn.
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a fucking art critic all of a sudden. Jesus Christ you people have no shame. As a student of art and illustration for many years I can honestly say, in my opinion Frazetta was one of The Great Artist's of the 20th Century. Which may have been a better way to say that than proclaiming him "greatest". Beauty as we all know is in the eye of the beholder. I have no taste for Pollock (I mean really, a drunk that spilled some paint?). I love Warhol but I honestly think he was playing the greatest joke ever on the Social Elite. Frazetta was a man, and a man who painted from his greatest source of inspiration, the mind. The imagination. There is no pretense there and that's what I appreciate most of all about his work. He never tried to sell shit to make his name in the history books, instead he made history by simply doing what he did best. That is admirable. Will his work end up in the Lourve? Probably not. Do I care? Not really. More talented than Pollock? Of course, but does it really matter?
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But can we cut the hyperbole already? Let us not also forget that this was a man who constantly repainted over some of his best and most influential art years, and even decades, after the fact, usually making them into lesser works as a result. Some may say that he was a perfectionist, but part of art is knowing when to walk away, when adding to a piece any further will only diminish it. Frank Frazetta didn't seem to have that ability, or that level of self control, so he continually tinkered and altered some of his best, most iconic pieces, and often, hell, even usually, not for the better. He was tremendously talented, and left behind a body of work that will live far beyond his time on earth, but he was far from flawless, as an artist and as a man, and he was also not someone who would appreciate being showered with bullshit praise and platitudes of being "the greatest artist of the 20th century", when he wasn't even the greatest artist of the 60's and 70's, when he was arguably at the height of his art.He was tremendously talented, his work iconic and influential, and he will be remembered as a great artist, and one whom we are all diminished by the loss of. Isn't that enough? For someone like Frazetta platitudes and hyperbole aren't needed to oversell the man, his art will stand a testament to his talent, and I'd imagine that's just the way he'd like it to be.
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Can't even begin to say how much I love Frazetta's art. Every year, I bought the Frazetta calendar and saved them all. My dream is to have one of his originals hanging on my wall.
Despite being female (most female didn't read the shit I read), I grew up reading Conan, Solomon Kane, The Rider (anything that Howard wrote), Tarzan, John Carter of Mars and I've always loved the cover art. God, the cover for The Rider is amazing. That's the one I want. That black cloaked rider on the black horse. Amazing. Frazetta is amazing. I'm sorry to hear of his passing, but the art he leaves behind keeps him alive in the minds of all who admired it. -
both drew and painted from reality, yes, but they were more than just illustrators. The raw emotion (you name which one!) that Frazetta conveys compares very well to the loneliness that was Younger Wyeth's gift.
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First off : This will be a one sided obituary. I loved Franks work and I loved him as a man.Theres no doubt ,If you find ten people that knew Frank you'll get at least five that might say a kind word about him.He was a bit of a prick. Thats the generation he grew up in. But at the same time Frank was straight up and down: a man. He never sidled up to anyone in his life. Dead at 82 ,Frank had lifelong friends that hes known for more years that he didn't know them. How many of us will be able to say the same at our ends? He wasn't a perfect human being, but as a man you'd be hard pressed to find another to admire for not only their body of work but for who they are as a human. Even his many strokes didn't stop Frank from producing.When he lost all function in his right hand, his drawing hand, he re-taught himself with his left. (SO, FUCK Jackson Pollock right in his ass with that) Frank was self taught. And his influence is IMMEASURABLE (he's influenced great contemporary artists that have passed on long before Frank)
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I knew who Frazetta was before I gave a fuck about french impressionism, cubism, dadasim, etc. I attribute my love for ALL art to this man AND for inspiring me to put pencil to paper.
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I could go on and on about why but all you have to do is look at anything he did. His was God-given talent.
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Yes. He was. One of the few artists that still existed in the medium after evil, corrupt, destructive ideas destroyed the visual arts, swallowing them whole in a cesspool of fraudulent "expressionism." So called modern art expresses nothing. Frazetta's work saved lives. To see his work is to be imbued with aspirations of greatness. That is art. That is great. He was the greatest.
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May 10, 2010 10:15:23 PM CDT
Quick, somebody do a well being check on George Romero
by theycallmemrtibbs
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The greatest Fantasy Artist of the 2oth Century!
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"In this case, ALL of us here are lesser men."
Speak for yourself. It was only after seeing me going for a barechested stroll with my mighty steed "Warhammer" and my trusty battleaxe that he got the idea for his first painting.
The rest is history, and I'm still waiting for my residuals. -
Your iconic paintings always fired my imagination. Whenever I think of Conan, or fantasty art in general, I think of your work. Thank you.
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... Frazetta's cover for Conan the Conqueror. It floored me as kid and still does, it's energy bounding from the canvas. He was an undeniable inspiration for any genre lover who has ever picked up a pencil to draw something.
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You bring up an excellent point my friend. Above all, Frank Frazetta was a man. A real Man. In a world littered with drug addicts, drunks, derilects and deadbeats, and various other kinds of half- human waste posing as talent, Frazetta the Man, not just the artist, stands above them all. Frazzeta the Father, and Frazzeta the Husband. Yes, he may have been a prick, but in my mind, that is a direct reflection of the time and place he came from. When a man knew how to be a man and knew how to take care of his family. Straight up and fuckin' real to a T. That alone will stand as a testament to the type of guy he was.
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More than a few of you guys saw that awesome documentary entitled "Painting with Fire" that focused on Frank's personal life and his relationships with the people that were around him. I believe he was dealing with an illness along the time that he made the doc. What I thought was cool was as well as Frank being an influential artist, dude was a hell of an athlete in is early years... amazing stuff
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Frank Frazetta: Fantasy Art
John Berkey: Science Fiction Art
Though I wonder why Harry didn't do a nice write up on John Berkey when he passed away a few years ago? Harry must not like Star Wars, Star Trek, King Kong, Orca, The Towering Inferno, or Science Fiction Book Cover Art as much as I thought he did...
Now Both the grand masters of science fiction and fantasy are gone... Hard to imagine being such an influential artistic visionary as these two great artists were... But, thankfully these great artists work will be around for years & years to come -to inspire the next batch of great visionary artists. To infinity and beyond! -
thats a fact,not an opinion.
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When I was a young child, I had a T-shirt with an iron-on reproduction of a painting. An armored figure on horseback fighting a tentacled creature with a human head. I don't know if that was Frazetta art or not, but Frazetta may at least have inspired the look?
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May 10, 2010 10:31:55 PM CDT
So what pulp fiction covers am I supposed to jerk-off to now?
by the_maltese_vulcan
I will miss this great talent.
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May 10, 2010 10:36:41 PM CDT
Frazettahad more cultural impact than Picasso, Pollack, etc.
by stereotypical evil archer
Consider all the products adorned with Frazetta's work, the years he was active, and his influence in music, movies, comics, novels, art, and most importantly, other artists from all those forms. Those other artists are the result of "hype" (especially after death); Frazetta was a professional, few painters can claim that while they're alive.
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His legacy will live until the end of dreams.
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.. you realize that a man can go on and on, through his work and his art. Long live Frank Frazetta!
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Frank's work on the cover thinking the story would be as cool as the artwork on the front. To my disdain the shitty writing had nothing to do with Frank's work at all, not even the same genre.
From then on whenever I bought his work on one of those bullshit novels, I would rip the covers off the book and paste them on my wall.
good times -
http://stagevu.com/video/nuxrnyolnkii i had my room covered with his posters...no doubt one of the most influential artists of the 21st century
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May 10, 2010 11:00:21 PM CDT
What's Molly Hatchet going to do for album covers now?
by alfred_packer
I've had those orginal white border art of FF books for yeaaaarrrsss...that and the big old Roger Dean books were a staple of my youth. Probably a puzzle or two in the closet somewhere as well. What would a 70's kid do without Frazetta, Vallejo, Dean, and Freas? These guys are the Beatles of fantasy art.
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As a child growing up in the 70's and 80's I was exposed to Frazetta's amazing artwork when ever I would visit the mall book stores like Waldens and B. Dalton. I b-line straight to the movie section or the art sections and look at the latest Star Wars or Indiana Jones books and I would ALWAYS make it a point to flip through a Frazetta or Boris Vallejo book. They were the kind of books that opened the mind up to exotic worlds of fantasy. I can't understate the importance of merely flipping through books like that. Rest in peace, one of the great, if not the greatest 70's artists indeed. -_-
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As a child growing up in the 70's and 80's I was exposed to Frazetta's amazing artwork when ever I would visit the mall book stores like Waldens and B. Dalton. I b-line straight to the movie section or the art sections and look at the latest Star Wars or Indiana Jones books and I would ALWAYS make it a point to flip through a Frazetta or Boris Vallejo book. They were the kind of books that opened the mind up to exotic worlds of fantasy. I can't understate the importance of merely flipping through books like that. Rest in peace, one of the great, if not the greatest 70's artists indeed. -_-
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At the end of the day we're talking about opinions. I've seen A lot of great names have been put forward in this "talkback". I know my art history. I draw for a living. And in my personal journey as an artist, there's no one more influential than Frazetta. Rockwell and Wyeth, give me pause, but at the end of the day Frazetta is the guy that made me want to pick up a pencil. So he may get ignored in art history classes, but to me, he's at the top of the heap.
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Mom and Dad would drop me off in Waldenbooks at the beginning of a trip to the mall, and pick me up there when they were done. Sounds like bevonite1 and I hung out in the same section (plus the Mad paperbacks)
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May 10, 2010 11:18:00 PM CDT
I had no idea that "Frank" had so many personal friends
by mistermanreturns
...in here. And, NOBODY should EVER type IMHO - one of the most idiotic things to post. If you're expressing yourself on a blog, it is OBVIOUSLY your opinion. And, folks, I've studied film most of my life - since junior high, followed by film schools, etc. - and I never encountered this artist's name. Yes, they were good schools. Art History was my minor (film my major), and I went on to post graduate film work, and have worked in the industry 20 years. I am, myself, a huge fan of Saul Bass, and his work with credits and film posters. But, I am not familiar with this artist. His work is very genre specific - and it is a genre that I have spent little time exploring. By its nature, this site would be more inclined to emphasize this artist's work. And, I've never read a comic book in my life.
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Go to your film school and ask for a refund..
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Really, get your money back from those folks. Paul Rand and Saul Bass were masters of commercial design. Frazetta was the master of fantasy art — hugely influential among designers as well as illustrators.
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Last breed indeed. His work were truly outstanding. Let's hope somebody will showcase his works in a THICK HARDCOVER Glossy new Book entitled ABSOLUTE FRANK FRAZETTA.
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Somebody need to produce this ASAP.
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Was an artist in his own right and never claimed to be this that or the other. There is room for all kinds of artists and art in the world.You will always come across art that you absolutely love and art that you absolutely despise, BUT that's the real beauty of it. Don't hate on Frazetta because he wasn't considered as good as Picasso or Constable or Rembrandt. Can you imagine as an artist how he felt??He's no longer here and I for one can say it's a great shame as his work did inspire a lot of people. As an artist myself, I wish I could have that kind of talent and effect!
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Why not declare him THE GREATEST ARTIST THAT EVER EVER EVER EVER LIVED IN THE WHOLE UNIVERSE!! WHOOPEE! fucking fanboys.
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Worked in the industry for twenty years and never heard of Frazetta? We'll let me tell you of some of the great film directors that Frazetta did work for: EASTWOOD, STALLONE, TARANTINO and BAKSHI to name a few. His work has also inspired GUILLERMO DEL TORO and PETER JACKSON. What kind of work were you doing in the industry? Fetching grande mocha frappuccinos from Starbucks?
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Supposedly the Buck Rogers covers he did in the 50's were one of the many inspirations for Lucas's landmark film.
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Beautifully drawn, I spent hours marveling over it, think it may have been my first encounter with the Master. He did a mean ape, did Frank, and the sloping Neanderthal brow on many a caveman always gave me a thrill. Not to mention the buxom women... sigh. Thanks Frank, rest easy.
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Not so sure about Berni's recent stuff, but he had a decade or two when he was definitely up there, when his mojo was working on full throttle. He was most certainly inspired by Frazetta, but then who in fantasy wasn't? Berni's Warren work ranks for me as some of the best he did... the Poe adaptions.. He did some portfolios that were amazing too. And of course Frankenstein. But better than Frazetta? I dunno.. and I say that as a HUGE BW fan
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Frank Frazetta was my artist hero as a young man in high school in the 70s. I had studied his art work and tried to emulate every line of his brilliant comic and black & white work. His paintings intoxicated me - the colors so rich and powerful and perfect. I had a book of his artwork and saw an address in East Stroudsburg, PA. I called directory information and asked for a listing for Frank Frazetta - to my amazement, the operator gave me a listed number. I called and a male voice answered the phone. My heart skipped a beat and I asked if I was speaking with Frank Frazetta - he said no, he was Bill Frazetta. I told him I was doing a high school art class assignment on my favorite artist, and I wished to interview Mr. Frazetta. He said "Hold on" and set down the phone. I heard him call "Mom!" and after a moment the phone was picked up by Ellie Frazetta, Frank's wife. She told me Frank was working and would not come to the phone, but she would be happy to speak with me. I flipped through the pictures in my book of Frazetta paintings and she generously described to me things in the paintings I had never noticed (i.e. no reigns on the polar bears pulling the sled of a viking in one painting). She was gracious and spoke with me for almost a half-hour. I finally thanked her, put the phone on it's cradle and nearly passed out. So I never spoke to God, but Mrs. God was plenty good for me. Thank you Ellie Frazetta - I'm so sorry for your loss. And beware Odin - the mighty Hero of a generation dines at your table tonight.
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can't believe people argue about this. "No the best color is red, not blue"...retards.
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Harry's ridiculous hyperbole aside, I'm sure we can all agree that Frank was a fantastic artist, a gentleman, and a great influence in the science fiction and fantasy realm. Hoist one up for the man.
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Unfortunately, Ellie too has passed on, just last year. But what a great anecdote :-)
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"It's like an art criticism class at the Rose Kennedy Institute in here."
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the dude was amazing, but nobody beats Picasso!! There's just no comparison, and anyone who would even attempt to make one clearly knows nothing about art. I wouldn't even put Frazetta in the top 20. 50, yes, probably somewhere around number 39 or so, which is an amazing feat in itself and puts him among the elite. So rest in peace Frank, you were great and will be missed :(
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Is that such a grandiose claim would be made. Why couldn't it just be a straightforward announcement of his death? Why does he have to be "the greatest ever?" It's the same with geek actors, every one of them are "geniuses" on this site, every decent geek film is "innovative" or "brilliant." In this case, the claim, while subjective, is ABSURD. Frazetta was a immensly talented fantasy artist, but in a century where we had Picasso, Rockwell, Pollack, Mattisse, Wyeth, Warhol etc, calling him the greatest artist of the century is absurd. He drew axes and titties.
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Frazetta's art fired the imaginations of millions and will continue to do so forever.
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I remember as a child in North Bergen NJ. I was in Path Mark and I saw the Death Dealer Molly Hatchet album cover. I was immediately drawn to it. I studied every bit of detail on that painting. I thought it was going to come to life. That's how it was whenever I saw a painting done by Frank Frazetta. You never forgot it once you saw it. It brought my dreams to life. He is one of the greatest painters in the history of mankind. RIP the King.
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Okay, let's discuss that. Let's say everything you just typed is 100% true. And it might very well be.But this is Harry's site. We all know what he is like. So, he gushed about someone that he cared about.What's the point of anyone coming into an OBITUARY column and saying negative things? You still have your knowledge that you are right. Why do you (not necessarily you) feel the need to make negative comments IN AN OBITUARY COLUMN?
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The first time I saw his work I was like "Who drew this?" It was in your face art if you ask me.
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...I had a pretty good Lena Horne/Zombie Beatles comment I was going to make as the first or second comment in the Lena Horne obit. Decided not to.Barely.
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A great many people think Frazetta is a FAR great artist than fucking JACKSON POLLOCK.
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I'm not trying to piss on the man's legacy at all. His work isn't my bag, but I can see that for his genre, he does tremendous work. My problem is, that this obit was already soured by the hyperbole. Instead of a touching tribute by someone to one of his heroes, he immediately taints the obituary and calls it into question by making such an over the top statement. I'm sure Mr. Frazetta himself would take issue with the statement.
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I just want to help unleash an awesome artist on to this crew.Go check out this mans work.the only person who comes to mind is DaVinci,also a polymath.I'm curious what this crowd will think of his work,just Google: Paul Laffoly.
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I know, but it's fucking HARRY. What are you going to expect from him next? Grammar? Coherence? Ethics? Running a 10K?
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of the 20th century... but I would argue that he very well may be the best painter of the human form in the 20th century, particularly the female form. In that respect he ranks up there with some of the great classical painters.
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Look messed up lines of paint. its art! fuck that!
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...took a visit to JacksonPollock.com. Wow. Ten seconds and I already felt like stabbing the man in the balls with his own paint brush. (The hard end of the brush, not the bristly bits)
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Nice. I get what you're saying, and I'll bow out of the talkback.
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For a man to die in his 80's after a long life well-lived is not a cause for sorrow but celebration.
... doubly so for Harry if those two Frazetta works he mentions on his wall are originals and not mere prints. Their value just went up dramatically... (ask Frazetta's squabbling children). -
Never knew this guys name...I think he might have done all the covers to the Tarzan books I used to stare at when I was a kid. And I thought Edgar Rice Burroughs painted those pitchers when I was little. Heh. Funny to see that this style I really liked but couldn't really explain to many people was probably all done by Frank. What a genius.
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I never got to meet Frank, however, a few years ago, I visited his gallery. Ellie, Franks wife was there. She talked with my girlfriend and myself. What a kind woman. She told us stories, and it was priceless. The Frank Franzetta gallery is something you MUST see, if the family decides to keep it open. I took some pics, and feel its time to share with all of you. Sure, you've seen a LOT of these pics, but why not? What he did with paintings, wow, I dunno Harry, I think god broke the mold when he created Frank. Godspeed, Frank Franzetta. Heres the link to my pics of my trip to the Frank Franzetta gallery (on the Franzetta property):
http://s33.photobucket.com/albums/d82/Red443j/Frazetta%20Gallery/ -
Most people hold him in high regard because they're told to, not because they actually like the work. Illustration, to me, has always been the most challenging of art form and Frazetta has inspired me as an artist for sure. While some of his pieces fall flat for me, there are many others that I will always be in awe of.
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May 11, 2010 7:43:56 AM CDT
"Greatest artist of the 20th century"
by giant_dick_bag_filled_with_taco_meat
Jesus, Harry you are such a tool.
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Hey look at my soup cans. Ha, I'm so talented. Bullshit. Frazetta is the god of fantasy art.
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25 years now specifically because of the Influence of Frank Frazzetta.
He is without doubt the greatest and most influential painter of the 20th century.
Yes there were many great artists in that era who are all deserving of the accolades they receive. But Frazzetta'z paintings breathed. Thery had power trapped into the moment that was presented. They had wonerfully muted tones that did nothing to pull the focus away from where it needed to be.
He is also easily one of the 3 biggest artistic influences on the vast majority of working artists today. -
before some body creates the talkback name Frazetta'sNudePencil?
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oh they already did that on here calling this guy the greatest artist ever. never mind frida or pollock or the rest they view frank frazetta as the best artist. says more about them than frazetta. think about it.
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I guess that comes with the territory.
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Let's not spoil their legacy by comparing their work like a bunch of tools. Picasso, Pollock, Rockwell and Frazetta have all made their contributions. Like it or not. It just is. Don't act like you fucking won a race by stating how much one is better than the other.
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the shitstains who chose to come to this obituary tb to rag on Harry's tribute to Frazetta have the entire congregation of Westboro Baptist Church show up at the funeral of every member of their family. You fucks do not need to be here, I'm sure you have more puppies to murder in front of preschool children.
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Oh, he was very good at what he did, sure. But did he ever win 10 Hugo awards for Best Artist as did the amazing Frank Kelly Freas?
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I always credited Frank for inspiring every single conversion van paint job in the 70s.
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...seems to get thrown around a lot these days, but this man was TRULY a legend in his field and his influence cannot be overstated.
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...you will live forever in every painting you did Frank. Deja Thoris weeps...
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I didn't know much about his work, but have now discovered it to be quite the fap material. Nice.
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Both are the greatest of the 20th Century.
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That man was probably the most influential artist in the world of art that I care about. This is the most upset I have felt about the passing of an artist. I knew he was old, and I'm glad that he lived a rich long life, but I was regretting knowing that he wasn't going to be around much longer.
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HUGE influence as an artist and artfan.Farewell my Master.
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is not that he disagrees with Harry about Frazetta's artistic merits. (I'm on jrb's side on that one.) It's that he chooses an obituary column as his forum to express his point. The problem is not that it's false, it's that it's rude.
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is that he thinks threats of violence are an appropriate response to mere rudeness.
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being able to draw, than one who splatters paint on a canvas with emotions. Yes, Pollack was probably more famous and better thought of in the art world. But I prefer the works of men like Frazetta, Wyeth, (N.C., Andrew and James)and Rockwell over those of Basquiat (spelled that wrong probably)or Pollack.Only in the twentieth century could people who were unable to draw become famous artists.
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WELL worth the trip to Pennsylvania, if you can spare the time. (I'm a Philly local, and proximity works to my advantage here) -
http://frankfrazettamuseum.com/
Here's to you, Mr. Frazetta - we have lost a master... -
I truly believe that sometimes an individual needs to get their ass kicked. Rude, disrespectful little shits like the trolls in this TB have no respect for anything, and sometimes the only way to make someone like that understand what it means to respect something is to make them fear disrespecting it. So, yes, if someone was saying these sorts of things at a funeral/memorial service, I would absolutely beat the shit out of them and then deal with the legal consequences with a smile on my face.
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May 11, 2010 11:47:35 AM CDT
frazetta is more correctly described as an illustrator..
by iwasredempted
art snobs will argue that pollack, van gogh, picasso, manet etc. are artists. wyeth, frazetta and rockwell are illustrators. illustrators usually have some kind of narrative in their work. that is of course my junior pop warner art school drop out opinion. so take it with a grain of salt.
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I don't think threats of violence are the answer: I think ACTS of violence are the answer.
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Illustrators usually have more skill. But I wonder...when did representational art become mere "illustration." Using the "narrative" argument, Michelangelo could be considered an illustrator today. Just saying...
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you would agree he is as good as people say. most people are just familiar with his cubist, abstract work. but that man can flat out make art. he is technically skilled and artistically brilliant. the prototypical artist.
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wyeth is one of my favorites but a lot of snobs will not give him much respect in regards to what is considered art. that apparently caused wyeth an undue amount of personal anguish. michelangelo's sistine chapel work could probably be considered illustration because he was doing work for hire pieces for the church and it did have some form of narrative in it.
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This one was done when he was 13 years old: http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/hh66/Madame1to66/Picasso1.jpg
This one when he was 15: http://smarthistory.org/assets/images/images/Picasso-torso.jpg
Age 16: http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b244/Horhew/pablo-picasso-portrait-of-the-artis.jpg -
than what I'm able to find online, but you get the point. He mastered traditional art at such an early age it's ridiculous. He had been painting on canvas since age 6, the dude was so much better, so much earlier in his life than anyone else had ever been that he had nowhere to go but outside the box and create something completely original(blue years, cubism, etc.)
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Great fantasy artist.
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fantasy artist of all time, though.
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This rule seems to get waived once one goes farther back in time. If you illustrated a 14th century book, you're an artist. If you did it in the 20th century, you're an illustrator.
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Norman Rockwell, Alex Ross, James Cameron, Peter Jackson, Steven Spielberg, Neal Adams, Dick Giordano (for his inking and storytelling abilities), Brian Bolland, Adam Hughes, Jack Kirby, Steve Rude, Mike Mignola, and many more.
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so, the fate of the museum is up in the air now that both Frank and Ellie are gone? Is there any news if it'll reopen AT ALL before they sell off all the paintings or send them all out on the road???
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I've been to a Picasso museum in Barcelona. I beg to differ
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I differ
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Picasso painted and drew realistically when he first started. He could do Frank Frazetta's work in his sleep...his drunk, cheating on his wife, sleep.
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SERIOUSLY?? HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! what a fucking chooch. you can find jackson pollock paintings in the unflushed toilet bowls of any mexican restaurant bathroom on the planet. i'll bet you're an andy warhol fan, too, you daffy putz.
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Art is the triumph.Assholes.
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Your inkwork and painting were brilliant.
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I first discovered Frank Frazetta in the very early eighties, those ablums of his work. They still have a proud place on my shelf, and will always have a place in my collection. Rest peacfully.
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He set the bar that has yet to be approached, let alone surpassed. Of the past hundred years, it was Frazetta, Norman Rockwell and Alex Ross who were the best of the best with Frazetta being at thte top.
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I've always found his work to be superior to Franzetta's.
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I would say that Walt Disney was more powerful and influenced more artists than Frazetta. Without him there would be no Pixar, FACT.
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because that's not a FACT at all.
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Happy trees are the shit yo.
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They're the most ut.
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ovpLXHMSqI
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Someone already mentioned Bisley, but my favorite artist who takes a huge amount of inspiration from Frazetta is Frank Cho, the guy who does Liberty Meadows. He might be more of a pen and ink guy and a style chameleon, but IMO he's the reigning king of cheesecake.
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Anyone who has the nerve to say that Frazetta was superior to someone like Norman Rockwell really has no business saying anything about art in general. Your opinion is worthless. You may like the subject matter better,because oily muscle men do appeal to homosexuals,but Rockwell was a true master of his craft and Big Frank was a gimmick painter who did the same kind of work over and over again. Did he ever even bother to fully render a background? He is the progenitor of the comic book splash page.
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I do appreciate his work for what it is, but for someone to call him the greatest of the 20th century is a disservice to him and to art in general.
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May 11, 2010 7:22:38 PM CDT
WIthout Steve Jobs or Lucas perhaps there would be no Pixar,
by redjester
But Disney?? You've got to be kidding me!! Unless you merely mean that because Walt Disney revolutionized the cartoon and animation industry that logic would dictate that every animation company that came after him must have been inspired by his films, than you good sir are wrong.
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I should smack YOU in the mouth for being unable to smell a joke. Prick ...
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May 11, 2010 7:49:06 PM CDT
Declaring Frazetta as the Greatest Artist of the 20th century
by respeckedwon
proves Harry Knowles's arrogance, and shows how sheltered his existence has been. Anyone here who argues otherwise blindly insults all the thousands of Art PhDs of the century. I am done with AICN, Goodbye Harry Knowles, King Of The Dilettantes.
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I'll always think of my Dad and his collection of PBs with Frank's covers. John Carter, Conan, Tarzan. Ah, the list was long and now both Frank and my Dad have passed on. The end of an age...
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What fucking year were you born in , 1942? No ? Then Shut the Fuck up.
I "miss" Norman Rockwell like Custar missed more Indians. -
Winston Churchill, Albert Einstein, Nelson Mandela, Malcolm X, JFK, Carl Sagan, Every movie director who ever lived, Stephen Hawking. All these people are artists, Harry. Know your place.
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Thanks for that terrific eulogy, Harry. My appreciation for Frazetta pre-dates his cover art and can honestly say that his portrayal of Li'l Abner's Daisy Mae ushered me into heterosexuality and was the only thing that could have swayed my already burgeoning interst in drawing from my singular focus on his predecessor, the remarkable illustrator/draftsman, J. Allen St. John whose work graced the early Burroughs work.
His influence was great and his legacy unparalelled in modern sci-fi and fantasy. It's an indictment of the movie making industry that it failed to really bring Frank's incredible artistic vision to the big screen in the way it deserved. Perhaps it will now, and better late than never. Cheers.
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Bummer. I can instantly recall the cover of the first Conan I bought that he did and I'm pretty sure he did a King Kong novelization cover I had. Awesome work. BSB=win for Bob Ross. Dude painted WITH A KNIFE. Recognize.
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My appreciation for art goes all the way to back charred sticks on cave walls. And it's Custer btw, retarded little monkey. I know it's hard for a Frazetta fan to remember anything that happened before 1983. Your thc saturated brains tend to have a problem that way.
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I have to add my voice to the admiration of Frazetta's work...he made fantasy awesome....Who oh why can't anyone do a movie with his vision and detail and fury....Fire and Ice was nice, but why can't Hollywood see the gold mine in his work?
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You've just proven how little you know about art. Now you'll call me an elitist or a snob. That's to be expected. It's the default response from philistines and from people who have no taste.
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Don't get your panties in a twist. This is a talkback forum on a fucking fanboy site, not a funeral or memorial service. Grow a pair of balls already and stop whining. No one is spitting on Mr. Frazetta's grave or protesting at his funeral. We're simply showing how full of shit Harry's headline is. His gross exaggeration was far more of an insult to Mr. Frazetta's legacy than anything I ever said.
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"Anyone here who argues otherwise blindly insults all the thousands of Art PhDs of the century."
Damn straight, and very intentionally. Art PhDs? You think they are great artists? That's like thinking people with psychology degrees are particularly sane.
I will say that Norman Rockwell was pretty damn great, along with Frazetta. Both are vastly superior to fucking Jackson Pollock. -
The greatest.? Harry, I bet you've got a helluva temper cos you blow hot and cold extremes, no inbetweens. As Jonathan Mardukas says... 'silence and rage'.
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A true master and visionary passes. But his art shall live eternally.
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Hey Harry,why isn't there a memorial article or even mention of the recent death of Peter O'Donnell, the creator and writer of Modesty Blaise and Willie Garvin?
Doesn't he deserve some mention or recognition?
Isn't there anyone at AICN who is a fan of his work as well? -
The point is, you didn't have to say anything at all. You could have kept it to yourself, but you didn't, because you're a dickhead. You couldn't, because you and your ilk cannot resist seizing every opportunity to tear something down. So the problem isn't that I have no balls; the problem is that you have no class. You should thank God every day for the internet, amigo, because it has given craven pieces of shit like you and the rest of the worms in this TB a voice you never would have had in the real world.
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thank you.
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You KNOW Harry was talking about VISUAL artists. Then you tell him to "know his place?" Please.I disagree with Harry's headline about Frazetta being the greatest artist of the 20th Century, but you have to admit that the man had an incredible impact on fantasy art. What Kirby did for comics, Frazetta did for fantasy illustration.
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If my high school science teacher died and I said he was the greatest scientist of the 20th century, greater than Einstein, Oppenheimer and Hawking, people would be correct to say that my statement is idiotic. It wouldn't make them dickheads. What was i tearing down other than Harry's gross exaggeration? What did I ever say about Mr. Frazetta that was negative or disparaging? If anyone should thank a fictional god for the internet, it's you, Armchair GeneralJack. It allows you to pretend to be tough, call people names and threaten to knee me in the face from the safety of your home. That's called cowardice.
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You are classless for saying anything about it at all in this TB. If your teacher died and I thought you were being hyperbolic in your statements, I would keep them to myself, because it would be obvious that your teacher meant something to you. As for me being a coward, jrb, I know that I never say anything online that I wouldn't say to someone's face. That's just how I operate. Maybe you're the same, maybe all the other dickheads in this TB are the same, but somehow, I doubt it. I make my living as a comic book and prose fiction writer, jrb, and I attend a lot of comic book conventions all over the country and can be found in many an artist alley. If you ever happen to attend one I am at, you will know who I am. I encourage you to approach me, identify yourself, and see if I won't tell you what a classless piece of shit you are to your face. Same goes for any of the other fuckers on here who think I am hiding behind my keyboard. I'll be at Chicago Comic Con in August next.
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Man, there are some uptight people on this site. Why even have a talkback section if you can't voice a contrary opinion without being threatened? Just because it's an obit? Once again, I didn't trash Mr. Frazetta, I trashed Harry's horrible writing. If you can't handle that without getting angry, then you've got serious problems.
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You trashed Harry's statement about Frazetta being the best. You would not have done that if you thought Harry was correct, right? Which means the reason you think it is ridiculous is because you obviously think Frazetta is far from the best, right? Thus, you were trashing Frazetta by proxy. And the fact remains, you have every right to think it is bullshit, and every right to say that you think it's bullshit...just like I have every right to say I think you are a classless piece of shit for saying that *here* in this TB. End of story. That's the thing with free speech, both in this great country of ours and on the internet in general: just because we *can* say something, doesn't mean we *should*.
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on the weekends just died, and he was the best inventor of all time. Because this is my way of celebrating his life as well as coming to terms with his death, no one is able to say sh*t! Suck on that haters!!
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...over a movie here. We are talking about a human being who died, and whose work obviously means a lot to an incredibly vast number of people all over the world. A TB like this, on a "fucking fanboy site" like this, should be a place for people who want to talk about how great they thought that work was, not how overrated. If you can't understand that, then there is no point in even engaging you at all.
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No, they *can* say whatever they want to you. But they *shouldn't*, because that would be a dick move. They should keep that shit to themselves.
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"One of the greatest illustrators the world has ever seen has died tonight..." how much more sympathetic and warm the reception on this site would've been. Hyperbole never does anything but create dissidence, especially among talkbackers. Sure the headline above might be underselling him a little, he quite possibly could have been the best. But by underselling him instead of overselling, the talkbackers, who let's admit it, love to disagree can do so by expressing how you're not quite giving Frazetta his due. All the responses would be pro Frazetta, you Harry could even write a comment in this thread of how you personally consider him the best, and all would be better with the universe.
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Honestly, I wish I thought you were right, but I don't. I think if Harry had typed exactly what you suggest, the response would have been virtually identical.
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Even the supposed haters like me all know he was a great artist. Hell, most of us, have said or eluded to it. So honestly, if Harry hadn't called him the greatest, what would people have to bitch about?
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Based on my experience as a LONGTIME fan of this site and TB lurker, I think you are giving WAY too much credit. But that's just my opinion. Maybe I am wrong.
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May 12, 2010 2:10:11 PM CDT
I think you would still get plenty of snide comments
by generaljackcosmo
about "van art"...just painted muscular guys and chicks w/big tits, etc.
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Sure you would, but instead of those guys being the majority and ganging up on you guys, it would be a huge swing, the other way around. It would be something like 95% of the site ganging up on a measly 5% unlike what is going on now.
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I do a running "History of Illustration" segment throughout the semester, and in that segment we focus on the following: Gibson, Wyeth, Rockwell, Lyendecker, Kirby / Ditko, and Frazetta. To this professor, those are the giants of the 20th century. Godspeed, Frank.
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There are a lot of entitled, cowardly assholes that use this sight to do nothing but shit on other people's accomplishments under the disguise of being film buffs or in this case art experts while hiding behind the safety net of a username. And please spare me "It's the internet. I have to protect my identity." bullshit. Grow a pair and sign your real name to what you have to say if you feel so strongly about it. That's the way it used to be in newspapers and magazines. What's really laughable is all of these so called art experts have done nothing more than whip out the most well known painters that anyone with a passing knowledge of fine art would know. Picasso! Dali! Pollock! What did you guys do just read a Famous Artists placemat in your local museum's snack bar? Or was a set of deck of flash cards? For the record, I love all of the great talents whose names have been bandied about here. I have scores of art books in my library and all of those named and more are found there. I personally think Picasso and Pollock were brilliant. I also think that Frazetta and N. C. Wyeth were as well. There's room at the creative table for everyone. So Harry called Frazetta the greatest, etc., etc. So the fuck what? It's no surprise the hyperbole is his best friend. We all know that. To him Frazetta was the GOAT. Let the man have his say without your impotent rage coming through to prove that he's wrong and you're smarter. It just makes you look pathetic not more knowledgeable. Take your fight to the real people that piss you off in your life like your boss, your dad or the kid's down the street that heckle you everyday. This is his house and the constant disrespect people show the host especially in this obit is appalling. Everyday someone bitches about the Amazon links that are used to (Surprise!) keep the fucking lights on around here. It's a form of advertising numbnuts. I wonder what kind of environment some of you fuckheads were raised in. Definitely not one in which a much-needed occasional asskicking was present. The last comment that I read was from some clown justifying the vitriol thrown in this obit because Harry's title encouraged it. What a sad little person you are.
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I was like many others here a teenager that first glimpsed Frazetta's work in a Bantam book on the shelf of a B. Dalton's bookstore in our local mall. I used to go in that bookstore just to see those books. Later, in college, I was an art student soaking up as much as I could about art history and the current art world. For two months I backpacked around Europe visiting all the major museums for the art. I became an artist. But after all these years Frazetta is STILL my favorite artist. Is he the greatest? He is to me.
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Another great has gone. Like Kirby, like Ditko, Frazetta informed a generation of artists not only in his portrayal of strength and sensuality but his depiction of fantasy landscapes and sci-fi realms. RIP.
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His name was Norman Rockwell. Yes, Frazetta was an artist and I enjoyed his work. I will say he was more than an illustrator, he was a painter and a great artist, but he was not the greatest of the previous Century. I realize this is subjective, but I believe Rockwell's art was also a social commentary on Americana and the world. Just look at his "Golden Rule", "The Problem We All Live With", and "Breaking Home Ties". All three have the ability to reach into your soul and touch your sensibilities. I met Rockwell in the early '70s through a friend's father who worked for the Saturday Evening Post. When the man spoke with you, his gaze never broke away from you. I could tell - even at a young age - that the man was still looking at the world through the eyes of a child seeing things for the first time. He was brilliant. I'm sorry for the loss of Frazetta, but Harry's hyperbole felt like a slap in the face.
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What a great story. I've always loved Rockwell's stuff. He did a Post cover of a sailor carrying a mermaid in a lobster trap that's as cool a fantasy piece as I've ever seen. Thanks for sharing.
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is that they heap praise upon his work for depicting "real women" and their real womanly form, because he showed their curves, but just just like the anorexic girls (yes I hate them too!) that we all criticize, Frazetta's girls are just as unrealiistic. Tiny waists, 36 double Ds, weight-lifter thighs, and a booty that would put J-Lo to shame. Gimme a Break!!!! Frank's work had no range (that was his choice, apparently). His women were just as fake as your typical coked up super models! Some women have small busts, and some women are 200+ lbs. Sadly, Frazetta chose not to depict them in any form whatsoever. He was a great artist, but he was NOT THE GREATEST ARTIST OF THE 20TH CENTURY!!!
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I realize that for you Frazetta's women can't hold a candle to your real love Rosie Palm and her five sisters but some of us have actually been with beautiful women that do look like that.
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who argue against the greatness of Frazetta as an artist refer to Leonardo Da Vinci as "Da Vinci" when the latter appellation merely refers to where Leonardo lived. The man's name was Leonardo. If you "experts" had attended any university art classes, you would have learned that. Therefore, your opinion of Frazetta's artistic merit is tainted by your own ignorance of basic art history. Those of you who refer to Frazetta as a modern day Rembrandt are much closer to the mark, I would add Michaelangelo, as Frazetta was trained in the techniques of the old masters. This is why his work strikes such a visceral chord in most of the people who view it. He was also an accomplished sculpter. His style could vary from cartoonish "bigfoot" art to wonderfully rendered pen and ink drawings to cheesecake to watercolor to nearly photorealistic. He and Norman Rockwell were the best Iluustrators of the 20th centruy, as others have pointed out,Rockwell captured society as ti was, Frazatta encaspulated the visual world of Fantasy and Science Fiction as it SHOULD be.
For the self proclaimed "Film School Graduate" who had never heard of Frazetta, he obviously never had a class covering the work of Speilberg,Lucas,Stallone or Eastwood, because all of those directors were influenced at some point by Frazetta. John Milius, no lightweight in the annals of film history, relied heavily on Frazetta's visual interpretation of Conan when he and Oliver Stone,screenwriter developed Conan the Barbarian.I don't want to come off as a know it all, self proclaimed expert(unlike many of the posters on here), but I do have a masters degree in both film AND art/animation, so I have some small knowledge of what I am speaking. And to anyone who criticizes his women as looking the all the same and being unrealistic? You haven't met any real women. Or saw Ellie Frazetta in her youth.Or my girlfiend. Try getting out more. -
People who say stuff like Rockwell's art was "social commentary on Americana and the world" and who think such criteria distinguish "real art" from what Frazetta (and others) did (and do) are missing something pretty vital. Mythology is the most important form of storytelling and it permeates all other forms from modern cinema (of all genres) to cave paintings. Frazetta's work is not about "titties and axes", or muscle-men facing down weird monsters. It's not for 14 year-olds, as others here have foolishly claimed. Rather, it taps straight into the human condition--the primal fears and nightmares that we all share, the landscapes and heroic vision of the mythologies that provide the underpinning of cultural identities all over the world. These are "the stories that really matter" that Sam talks about in THE LORD OF THE RINGS. These are the stories that Frazetta tapped into. They're about confronting your fears, fighting when all seems lost, and triumphing. They're about energy and action in the field of life, of the value of deeds over words. Capturing these themes in a way that resonates with the audience is as lofty and worthy an achievement as any in artistry. Long after Pollack's work has deteriorated to a bunch of dirty paint chips on the floor people will continue to try and capture what Frazetta did on canvas. As a degreed art major myself, I understand why Pollack's art was important. But there's no mythology in it. So ultimately, it will be a transient thing. A passing, if hugely influential, fancy that said more about the era in which it was created than the eternal human condition.
"We'll truly never know if Frazetta could have produced work that was as personal and struck an emotional chord on the same level as some of the other artists mentioned in this TB..." Huh? Seriously? People generally don't consume art en masse over decades and in an international market if it doesn't strike a deep emotional chord. This TB is full of people who have been touched very personally, emotionally and profoundly by Frazetta's art. He would not have been the giant he was had he not done this every bit as well as--or better than--any other artist mentioned in this thread.
Next: "insulting to thousands of art PhDs"? Are you kidding me? If ever there was a useless degree "art PhD" is it. What a complete waste of time and money.
Finally, arguing about "who's the greatest artist" is pretty much as idiotic as arguing about the greatest guitarist, or songwriter or any other kind of artist. It's a complete waste of time and so much hot air. There is no magical ladder that places one guy at the top and anyone who think there is hasn't the slightest idea of what art is or how it works. Unfortunately, that seems to include Harry and a great majority of the people in this TB.
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And he has his creations for posterity, he will not be forgotten so soon. Hopefully, never.And as one of his most important work was his definitive illustration of Conan, i can't help but think of Conan's own creator, Robert E. Howard. I do because of what i said above, Frazetta lived a long life, he died at age 82, from old age. Howard comit suicide at the tender age of 30. And this makes me think, how much more work and pleasure could had Howard create had he lived on until old age. As olnd as Frazetta. What more oportunities he might had gained, how he could had lived long enough to have wide public recognition for his stories and skills as a writer. What more stuff he would had created.Frazetta lived long enough to be recognized and experience the appreciation people had for his work and art. Howard never had that, only paychecks.The sad departure of Frazetta in my mind makes me remind of also the much sadder and tragic departure of Robert E. Howard, probably because of the connection between the two, Conan.
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I love Frazetta's art as much as anyone -- but let's not get carried away.
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"Frazetta was the greatest artist of the 20th Cenury"=statement from someone who doesn't know jack shit about 20th century art.
There is Pablo Picasso, and then there is everyone else. -
There's been a lot of trash talk here about how you shouldn't compare what Frazetta did to guys like Picasso and Rockwell and Pollack and truthfully, I agree. Frazetta's work is in the fantasy realm and his influence in that genre cannot and should not be denied. If intelligent criticism is going to be made of Harry's comment and not an assault on a very beloved and influential artist,let's stick to the genre in question. Fantasy art: was anyone in the 20th century better than Frazetta? It's a matter of opinion,but to me, Salvador Dali and M.C. Escher and John William Waterhouse were far more accomplished, and their influence is massive. Also consider the works of artists such as Jon Foster, Brom, or John Jude Palencar. Love on Frazetta at your whim. Nobody's going to try to talk you out of it. Just don't limit your exposure to art to something you saw on a t-shirt in 1982. Pollack was a gimmick-y hack btw.
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Where is the Dio obit? Dude was in both Rainbow and Black Sabbath. Give him the props.
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You're still the idiot your were at the beginning of this talkback. Pollack was a not a gimicky hack and Frazetta didn't magically appear in the early 80's like you keep referencing. Maybe that's when YOU became aware of him.
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i have read some really crazy things here one guy says bisleys better ? he and i know it..he doesnt know me..without frank..there is no bisley..boris..? boring is more like it..and comparing him to the masters? so what..ive seen many frazetta paintings and drawings that had nothing to do with fantasy art,so all the little kids with their keyboards and big fat mouths flapping should look at the entire body of his work before opening their traps..the old saying comes to mind..its better to be quiet and thought to be an idiot than open your mouth and remove all doubt..u know..i met frank frazetta..he was a great illustrator, a great painter..and a great athlete who loved sports..he grew up in brooklyn and for exercise, used to run and bound over roof tops..he could throw a baseball clean out of any stadium you find..ask any major league player how rare that is..he was a man..who would never sit down and take swings at someone from behind a key board..so who really cares where his spot is in the long line of great painters and illustrators is but that he is in that line..where none of you commenters can touch him..no mcfarlenes,no bisleys no boris'..a true one of a kind american, who has passed on to what ever awaits us all in the end..i feel genuinely blessed to have been alive while such a great talent lived..instead of little boys getting on here and running off at the lips, yeah..that means little boys like GINGE_MUPPET,blakindigo,Phineas_Flavel,JackSlater4..who are on here to make little boy comments about a man whom they would piss themselves in front of..should go look at the differences in the work of brillaint men like frazetta, and also find a mirror and ask why they find it engaging to be rude and talk shit about a man who passed away..if u have nothing good to say..wait for another forum and say it there ..we are honoring..eulogising a great man..not a small bug such as yourselves..
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think about what you just said and what the old masters painted..nude women and men of strength..same all over the world..look at art history books..know your SUBJECT before you speak and you'll look like less of an idiot..
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someone told you all these painters and paintings were great so go ahead and champion the mona lisa..and such..your knowledge in art seems like something youve been told was good not something youve admired as great..leave us alone with your narrow minded opinion..go striaght to the louve..
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btw, the painting classes i go to..have books available for students ..even older ones like me to look through, lets say..for inspiration..among the picasso and remington and rembrandt is a copy of ballentynes frazetta one..just fyi
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anyone who was born in the 1960's would know the name frank frazetta.
his vison has been seen all over our human landscape.like all great painters and illustrators, frazettas work crossed many styles and boundries.much of his early work has never been seen, and ultimatly, his later work was..for hire.i had the opportunity to see, with my eyes, some of the works he did that never saw mass consumption.as great a FANTASY painting as the death dealer is, there was..along side of it, a nude painting of his wife ellie as young and vibrant as any other hes done.
i saw paintings he did of africa and its citizens and a beautiful painting of a woman, maybe his wife..riding horse back on the ocean front
i gazed at his water colors..the subject matter varying..some for money..some for pleasure..should frazetta be somehow villified for the age in which he lived..do you not think the old masters ,who had all day and night to paint would have varied their subject matter to suit the age in which they lived?
the power and grace..the beauty and strength in which he painted his subject ..is obvious..my eyes never lied to me , when i compared frazetta to other, their flat renditions ,posed marble like figure , uninspired layouts..or swiped material never measured up.
i was thinking, the day frank passed away, about the influences in my life. in art, men like frazetta..along with rockwell..or picasso, much like in music, the beatles, jimi hendrix and such..
in sports the giants and yankees..in politics..the image of jfk and nixon..and spiro agnew..cartoons like popeye..pop culture and real culture ..hell's angels and movies like taxi driver..and bad news bears..some things in my adult life were hard..some were soft..some were real and others seemed like places to hide..and among all the madness of growing up..who to believe and who has lied to you..who has your best interests in mind and whos a shine..i began to seperate who is real and who is bullshit. 46 years ..and i think i know the difference..for me..real is jimi hendrix..bullshit is eddie van halen
real is raging bull..bullshit is rocky
real is grateful dead
bullshit is rolling stones..ask any hells angel
real..was..is frank frazetta..
anyone on here who is shooting from the lip..talking junk..comparing apples to onions..oughta look at the landscape in which they live..what moves around them..what influences them..where did they learn to be men..women..who has their respect. those who decided to start talking about frank frazetta ..should have an idea of whom they speak of.this wasnt the " talk out loud from your id about frank frazetta" it was meant to be a place for people who admired a man who lived his life to the fullest..who cares if he was the best ..the third best..why get on here with your funny remarks? did you get the repect for your comical verb you thought youd get? did it make you feel big to express your opinion to people who obviously dont want it? its whats wrong with culture today..peopel shooting off at the lip about how tough they are and how bad they are and picking fights by saying stupid things meant to hurt and anger..in some cases to show all posters how right and smart and knowledable they are. hmmm..i know..for a FACT ..that young people do not growe up the same way as i ..and i ..didnt not grow up the same way as frazetta..although my dad did, they came from the same brooklyn area and were about the same age..point is..frazetta did not grow up in the same way..as rembrandt or michaelangelo..why would he go paint the sisteen chapel? little boys on here seem to think they aRE granted the right to run off at the mouth at people who have actually had to do some living and not get all their cues from mtv's the real world or other "reality tv" the commenters here should actually pick up some material from frazetta..or ..browse the net to see what that man was really all about..instead of rightchously mouthing off about a man who was a GIANT.. and its sad ..its sad that the exact kind of person mr.frazetta was ..is exactly the kind of person most will never be ..someone who lived..expierienced..and with his hands..created..they dont make people ..like frazetta anymore ..and with each passing of his kind..the world gets dumber..and smaller..
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