Lot 15
  • 15

BONESTELL, CHESLEY

Estimate
5,000 - 8,000 USD
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Description

  • Preliminary study for the painting "Takeoff of the Rocketship" executed for the 1959-1960 Columbia Broadcasting Service (CBS) television series Men Into Space.
  • oil, board
Oil on board (180 x 200 mm to sight). Signed lower left ("C.B."), captioned in ink by Bonestell on verso "Rocket (Sketch) painted by Chesley Bonestell." Matted, glazed and framed to 330 x 315 mm, back of frame with glass panel revealing writing on verso.

Provenance

Ex Collection of Frederick C. Durant, III

Literature

Illustrated in: Ron Miller & Fredrick C. Durant III. The Art of Chesley Bonestell, p 208

Condition

Oil on board (180 x 200 mm to sight). Signed lower left ("C.B."), captioned in ink by Bonestell on verso "Rocket (Sketch) painted by Chesley Bonestell." Matted, glazed and framed to 330 x 315 mm, back of frame with glass panel revealing writing on verso. Light wear to edges of board just barely visible in frame, more noticeable on back of board.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

Catalogue Note

A spectacular image, depicting the launch of a powerful direct-ascent rocket, with launch-tower in the background. Executed a decade before a manned space craft was to land on the moon, the direct ascent rocket depicted is one of the methods initially considered by the United States for the Apollo lunar landings, as well as by the Soviets. The US eventually jettisoned the design in favor of the Lunar Orbit Rendezvous method (LOR), as direct ascent would have required an enormous launch vehicle, like the rocket depicted here. The sleek direct ascent rocket, with its clean, curved lines was a favorite theme of Bonestell's, and he would use it time and again.