Chesley Bonestell (American, 1888-1986) The Planets to Scale with the Sun, 1977 Oil on board 19-7/8 x 30 inches (50.5 x 76.2 cm) Signed lower left: Chesley Bonestell Chesley Bonestell was a groundbreaking figure in the world of space art, a genre that merges artistic imagination with scientific concepts to visualize celestial phenomena and space exploration. Trained as an architect, Bonestell applied his knowledge of perspective and engineering to create detailed, realistic depictions of otherworldly landscapes. His work, which began appearing in magazines like Collier's and LIFE in the 1940s and 1950s, introduced millions to stunning visions of planets, moons, and galaxies, sparking widespread interest in space exploration. Through his collaboration with notable scientists such as Werhner von Braun and science fiction writers such as Willy Ley, Bonestell's paintings offered a glimpse into the future of space travel, including human missions to the Moon, Mars, and beyond. In this spectacular example, Bonestell conveys a sense of cosmic perspective that few had ever seen, turning astronomical concepts into breathtaking works of art. His depictions of planets like Saturn, Jupiter, and their moons in comparison to the Sun not only captured the imagination but also educated the public about the scale of our solar neighborhood - we all stand small within our ever expanding universe. HID12401132022 © 2024 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved