Annamanthadoo, Miki :: Illustration Art

Maxwell's Demon by Ken Barr

Artist: Ken Barr (Painter)

166 Views - 6 Comments - 11 Likes

Click Image to View Full Size

Additional Images:

Reprinted edition

Published book

Previous Item:
Star Frontiers Illustration by Larry Elmore

Next Item:
Mission to Universe cover by Jerome Podwil

Artwork Details

Title:	Maxwell's Demon by Ken Barr
Artist:	Ken Barr (Painter)
Media Type:	Paint - Oil
Art Type:	Cover
For Sale Status:	NFS
Views:	166
Likes on CAF:	11 12
Comments:	6
Added to Site:	10/5/2025
Comic Art Archive:

Description

Published 1978 by Baronet Publishing
Cover for the paperback collection of short stories by Ben Bova.

The title of the book is based on physicist James Clerk Maxwell's attempt to disprove the Second Law of Thermodynamics.
One of the principles of the Second Law is that it's impossible for heat to flow from a colder body to a hotter body without external work. Maxwell postulated that a being (dubbed a demon by others) could by opening and closing a door between vessels and allowing only fast moving molecules to move from one vessel to a another, would then heat up one vessel while allowing the other to be colder as the faster molecules would have more heat. Other scientists argue that the demon, by opening and closing the door is creating work disproving Maxwell.
It was however an interesting thought experiment and term Maxwell's demon has become imbued in our literature.

Bova explains that he saw Maxwell's demon was a disruptor, one who wanted to change the status quo, and in real life, these are usually our heroes or villains. So he presents a collection of his own personal demons and heroes, in science fiction and science fact, told with humor and adventure.

Social/Sharing

About the Owner

	Miki Annamanthadoo ( 24 ) Premium Gallery Owner
Joined:	May 2003
Last Login:	January 2026
Country:	UNITED STATES
On CAF:	Premium Member Q&A Miki's Classifieds Miki's Want List Artworks Commented On Liked Art Site Activity on CAF Read More About MikiAnnamanthadoo

Contact the Owner

Use can use a contact form to send an email to this gallery owner,
but, you must be logged in to use this feature.

Comments on this Artwork

You must be logged in to make comments.

Marcus Wai
Member Since 2005

2 - Posted on 10/5/2025

Everyone laughed at the book
As if the Ken Barr Demon heard it before
And maybe they were truly confused
But every work that we spoke has a door
And maybe it's because they had heat
Molecules on the TV screen
Well this art is good and Maxwell understood
So you should laugh, if you're cold's what I mean

But it's oil relative
Demons if you don't understand
Well Maxwell understood
Especially when you don't use a fan
Then vessel just because
Demon if we don't understand
Then Maxwell just believes

Nils E
Member Since 2014

Posted on 10/5/2025

Well red mount

Kavi H
Member Since 2018

Posted on 10/5/2025

Striking painting! I like how the piece subtly transitions from volcanic hues to darker/night sky tones as the eye moves from the top of the piece to the bottom. another cool sci-fi paperback cover, I really enjoy seeing this stuff personally.

Ruben DaCollector
Member Since 2008

Posted on 10/5/2025

Holy shit, dude. "She blinded me, with Science (Fiction)!"

Nick - Barry - Matt - Hal - Namor
Member Since 2015

Posted on 10/6/2025

Wow. Just wow.

Rick W
Member Since 2017

Posted on 10/6/2025

Taste the Rainbow!

All
	Greg McKee 1/24/2026 4:26:00 AM
	Brad Potts 1/24/2026 3:08:00 AM
	Dennis Books 1/24/2026 3:03:00 AM
	--J S-- 1/24/2026 2:40:00 AM
	Todd Warren 1/24/2026 2:34:00 AM
View All


	Pop Warner 1/24/2026 2:18:00 AM
	David Dias 1/24/2026 1:45:00 AM
	Miki Annamanthadoo 1/24/2026 1:42:00 AM
	Paul Biermann 1/24/2026 1:32:00 AM
	Bruce W 1/24/2026 12:30:00 AM