SOUL OF THE ROBOT

18" x 12" by Abe Echevarria. Oil on canvas, circa 1978. The original cover painting for science fiction book "The Soul of the Robot" by Barrington J. Bayley, published in 1978 by Condor Publishing. This work was also featured in the book "Tomorrow and Beyond: Masterpieces of Science Fiction Art" by Ian Summers, 1978.

Abe Echevarria was a noted illustrator, educator and artist whose awards include a Gold Medal from the Society of Illustrators. This painting is his signature work and most referenced when he is discussed.

"The Soul Of The Robot" was Bayley's sixth science-fiction novel, first published in 1974 (w/totally different cover art), featuring the robot character Jasperodus from his 1956 story "Fugitive." The book tells of Jasperodus, the only robot with a soul, as he attempts to prove that he is the equal of the humans around him. This cover art is much more visually dynamic than the original publication's cover, featuring a large image of Jasperodus smelling a flower with cityscape in the background. The robot's head, neck and hand are highly detailed, with engraved filigree accents. A nude man is seen in background looking at a nude woman reclining on a large cat.

Out of all the works of Echevarria, this piece is his crowning achievement, in my opinion. With the vibrant depiction of a C3PO-styled robot (Lucas' Star Wars just hit the screen the year before!) adorned with metal engraving normally reserved for a presentation-grade Colt Peacemaker, to the background imagery of the man and woman on a cat, it's evident not only was Echevarria an artist with his own brush style, but one with the bizarre imagination of a master creative.