Wrightson, Bernie - Frankenstein (1980)
Artist: Bernie Wrightson (All)
60 Comments - 1,555 Views - 47 Likes
Artwork Details
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DescriptionA gorgeous Bernie Wrightson piece originally created for the illustrated edition of Mary Shelley’s 1818 novel, Frankenstein. Amazingly, it’s beauty notwithstanding, it was not used in the original novel and would only see publication in The Lost Frankenstein Pages published in August 1993.The image features Victor Frankenstein lying by a pond where he has collapsed from exhaustion. But Wrightson exposes the full scene in the reflection of the pond. As Christopher Zavisa noted in Bernie Wrightson: A Look Back in reference to the piece, 'When Wrightson would show it to someone for the first time, they inevitably turned it upside down', leading to it being left out of the original book. Wrightson said the work for Frankenstein was an unpaid project – ‘I've always had a thing for Frankenstein, and it was a labor of love. It was not an assignment; it was not a job. I would do the drawings in between paying gigs, when I had enough to be caught up with bills and groceries and what-not. I would take three days here, a week there, to work on the Frankenstein volume. It took about seven years.’ That…is incredible. Social/Sharing |
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Comments on this Artwork
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Peter Sullivan 
Member Since 2006
2 - Posted on 3/12/2023
It's a keeper..I'll keep it safe for you. You can visit.
David Askani’Son
Member Since 2012
Forum Moderator
1 - Posted on 3/12/2023
That's just crazy beautiful!
Amir E
Member Since 2020
1 - Posted on 3/12/2023
One can get happily lost staring into this piece admiring all the gorgeous detail. Congrats Chris!
Michael Weigant
Member Since 2009
1 - Posted on 3/12/2023
There's some beautiful and intricate work in this piece,congrats !
Rick W
Member Since 2017
1 - Posted on 3/12/2023
I'll be coming to visit this often. Congratulations!
Steve . M
Member Since 2017
1 - Posted on 3/12/2023
Two images in one - the body at the edge of the pond and the reflection of the images right off scene.
Brilliant, beautiful. Bernie! Congratz!
E DLS
Member Since 2005
2 - Posted on 3/12/2023
Used or not used. Monster or no monster. I just can’t imagine any piece of artwork related to Bernie Wrightson’s Frankenstein not being something of a grail for any collector. Although I did not buy the book when it was published in 1983, I am forever grateful that I eventually discovered it a few years later. From the moment I first looked through those incredible drawings, I knew it was my personal highwater mark for what was possible with ink and paper. To this day, it’s still the standard (as unfair as it may seem) by which I measure every single piece of artwork I acquire. Needless to say, 99% of what I’ve collected over the last 40 years doesn’t even come close. But as collectors, we should always have something to shoot for. The fact that this was ultimately not used in the book does not make it any less of a masterpiece. I hope you enjoy looking at this every single day. Congratulations on owning something I would pay for the privilege of seeing in person.
Chris K.
Member Since 2008
1 - Posted on 3/12/2023
E DLS wrote:
Used or not used. Monster or no monster. I just can’t imagine any piece of artwork related to Bernie Wrightson’s Frankenstein not being something of a grail for any collector. Although I did not buy the book when it was published in 1983, I am forever grateful that I eventually discovered it a few years later. From the moment I first looked through those incredible drawings, I knew it was my personal highwater mark for what was possible with ink and paper. To this day, it’s still the standard (as unfair as it may seem) by which I measure every single piece of artwork I acquire. Needless to say, 99% of what I’ve collected over the last 40 years doesn’t even come close. But as collectors, we should always have something to shoot for. The fact that this was ultimately not used in the book does not make it any less of a masterpiece. I hope you enjoy looking at this every single day. Congratulations on owning something I would pay for the privilege of seeing in person.
I've got good news for you, Eric - you can come see the entire collection for free whenever you want! :) And agree with everything you said - to me, it's part of the body of work he created as a passion project. No matter how it ended up making it's way into the broader public consciousness, it was born in the same place.
DC's Showcase
Member Since 2006
1 - Posted on 3/12/2023
Sweet Mary Shelley!! Very well chosen, brilliant on so many levels. The artistry of course but the composition is what makes it in my view (and no, I'm not standing on my head).
Duke Fleed aka #1 Groo Fan
Member Since 2013
2 - Posted on 3/12/2023
Who needs Monet when you got Wrightson? am I correct? Huge congrats on a true masterpiece!
Mark Howland
Member Since 2004
1 - Posted on 3/12/2023
Nothing about this is lost on any of us. It is magical. And it is only made more special by being a labor of love for Wrightson, a compulsion, rather than a paying gig. Most hearty congratulations, Chris.
steve staszower
Member Since 2005
1 - Posted on 3/12/2023
Congrats!!! I saw this one in the flesh several times and it is stunning. I never agreed w Bernie's asessment of it, lol.
Yo Kuri
Member Since 2019
1 - Posted on 3/12/2023
Stunning! Excellent write up as always. Thank you for sharing this gem.
Will K
Member Since 2006
1 - Posted on 3/12/2023
Wrightson had so much talent that pieces like THIS could left on the "cutting room floor".
Chris C
Member Since 2004
1 - Posted on 3/12/2023
Just look at that...my goodness....I can see Bernie in mind mind, hunched over this page layering line after line of perfect inks in the perfect place until a plain white piece of Bristol becomes a thing of everlasting beauty.
Chris K.
Member Since 2008
1 - Posted on 3/12/2023
Chris C wrote:
Just look at that...my goodness....I can see Bernie in mind mind, hunched over this page layering line after line of perfect inks in the perfect place until a plain white piece of Bristol becomes a thing of everlasting beauty.
I wish I could have used your description in my description!
Nick - Barry - Matt - Hal - Namor
Member Since 2015
1 - Posted on 3/12/2023
Unbelievably beautiful Chris!
Daryl R
Member Since 2015
1 - Posted on 3/12/2023
Stunning on every level. As beautiful and impressive as it gets!
artless artmore
Member Since 2013
1 - Posted on 3/12/2023
Long after the vast majority of 20th Century comic art has been happily forgotten, Wrightson's Frankenstein plates will be highly valued, and this is a fabulous example. Back in the early 80s, I remember reading somewhere that the artist decided not to include this image in the book as you described in your description and I just couldn't believe it. So what if some readers might have turned the book upside down when they first saw the image, this drawing is mesmerizing. Just amazing
Jeff Singh
Member Since 2004
1 - Posted on 3/13/2023
A really sublime example. Beautiful scenery that catches the eye and takes a moment before you notice the gravity of the image. As fine an example as anyone could hope for.
Marcus Wai
Member Since 2005
1 - Posted on 3/13/2023
A passion project that set a standard of excellence that even Wrightson said himself that he would not be able to recapture when people asked for recreations or follow ups. Time, place, and passion all aligned poured into these plates.
Steve Day Vich
Member Since 2007
1 - Posted on 3/13/2023
I guess this will have to do until you pick up "I Shall Be With You On Your Wedding Night" and then you can use this one for oil spillls in the garage.
Rob Pistella
Member Since 2005
Forum Moderator
1 - Posted on 3/13/2023
A sublime addition to your collection. Fantastically delicate and refined and timeless. Well done Chris!
Keith Becker
Member Since 2018
1 - Posted on 3/13/2023
I was talking about this piece with friends when it was in auction. I'm glad it went to a good home. When I first saw it i thought he was crazy for leaving it out. It's such a great composition. Congratulations! Such a beautiful beautiful piece.
Keith Becker
Member Since 2018
1 - Posted on 3/13/2023
Keith Becker wrote:
I was talking about this piece with friends when it was in auction. I'm glad it went to a good home. When I first saw it i thought he was crazy for leaving it out. It's such a great composition. Congratulations! Such a beautiful beautiful piece.
... and still think he was crazy for leaving it out!!
Kasra Ghanbari
Member Since 2004
CAF Administrator
1 - Posted on 3/13/2023
Mercy! That's an all-time beauty!
Mark Levy
Member Since 2004
1 - Posted on 3/13/2023
I haven't cracked my copy of the Lost pages in ages but hard to imagine anything nicer than this completed masterwork in there! Congrats!
James Dornoff
Member Since 2019
1 - Posted on 3/13/2023
The composition and detail is exquisite, lots of things to see and hidden bits. Great find!
Tom Coker
Member Since 2005
1 - Posted on 3/13/2023
Truly gorgeous piece of art in the best tradition of the great illustrators. Captivating!
Mark V
Member Since 2021
1 - Posted on 3/13/2023
Published or not, this is a legendary artist at his peak producing a masterful illustration for a passion project that has inspired readers and artists for decades. What more could a collector want? Congratulations on adding this to your collection.
Malcolm Bourne
Member Since 2005
1 - Posted on 3/13/2023
Beautiful illustration by such a master. Many mazaltovs Chris
Ruben DaCollector
Member Since 2008
1 - Posted on 3/13/2023
This is pure book illustration at its finest. If you haven't already done so, Chris (though I assume you have!), check out the work of Franklin Booth who inspired Wrightson to tackle these plates in this style!
Felix Lu
Member Since 2005
1 - Posted on 3/14/2023
Can you imagine being a contemporary of this guy? No matter how good you are...this guy is still around. No wonder Isiah hates MJ!
GAB R
Member Since 2007
1 - Posted on 3/14/2023
When i saw this on HA i said woww. I honestly think this is one of the best plates in the whole series. For some reason It evoques me some BWS ophelia paintings. My highest congratulations for such a PIECE O ART.
Gene Park
Member Since 2004
1 - Posted on 3/14/2023
Nice one, Chris! Your collection continues to grow in interesting directions.
K W
Member Since 2018
1 - Posted on 3/14/2023
The level of artistic genius of this is off the charts.
Scott R.
Member Since 2003
1 - Posted on 3/14/2023
As good as artwork gets. A stunning example by a pure genius. You are very fortunate to possess such a piece. Enjoy it and take good care of it. Thanks for sharing it.
Mark Howland
Member Since 2004
1 - Posted on 3/14/2023
I can't stop looking at this. We are at the edge of reality, the edge of the pond, viewing both a real event and a reflected setting, simutaneously looking down and seeing up. Is the Doctor dreaming? Who but Wrightson could create such a pastoral moment in the midst of Shelley's horror story?
Bill J
Member Since 2009
1 - Posted on 3/22/2023
Phenomenal illustration! At this point in time, Wrightson had more talent in his pinky than most artists have in their entire bodies. Drawings didn't come from his pen, they came from his soul. Any one of the drawings he completed in this era are masterpieces.
Chris Puckelwartz
Member Since 2006
1 - Posted on 4/1/2023
Fantastic Frank plate by the master at his best! It's interesting to read his rationale for this not making the cut of course, but I beg to differ. They should've just alloted more pages given the knockout drawings he produced for it like this one. Huge congrats Chris!
Joseph Melchior
Member Since 2005
1 - Posted on 4/10/2023
Clearly I somewhow missed this garantuan update, Chris. Just stunningly beautifully executed. Yet again we see that the plates Wrightson chose to omit still outrank 99% of the art that's out there. We'll all be paying entry to come visit.
Jerry C.
Member Since 2009
1 - Posted on 5/31/2023
Chris K. collection and the rest of the world! Thank you for sharing this masterpiece.
Dave W
Member Since 2006
1 - Posted on 5/31/2023
I want to know who made the decision NOT to use this masterpiece in the original publication?!?!? Visually STUNNING - a feast for the eyes. Congratulations!
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