Robert Gleason’s iconic poster painting now up for grabs.
Here’s something cool. Even cooler for those of you horror freaks with extra deep pockets.
The original art for the 1978 horror movie HALLOWEEN painted by Robert Gleason, will cross the auction block on March 26, 2016, at Heritage Auctions in Dallas
The current bid is $18,000 (!)
Gleasons original movie poster painting for the film is a truly unique, important and historically significant piece of movie artwork, said Grey Smith, Director of Vintage Movie Posters at Heritage Auctions. In 1978, the horror landscape forever changed with the release of HALLOWEEN, which is not only recognized universally as one of the most frightening slasher features of all time, but also an undeniable masterpiece of the genre.
Gleasons artwork is brilliant. It changed everything in regards to how horror movies are sold and while the shocking nature of a knife-wielding pumpkin on a black background is not lost on viewers, what is often missed is the ominous wailing face with worms hidden within the knuckles and veins of the hand.
Somewhere during the 37 year period between the creation of the artwork and its arrival on the block, however, the back of the hand was painted over.
I knew when I saw this original art that something was not quite right, said Smith. Ive seen this poster hundreds of times over the years and I could see a difference. Once I looked closer I saw that someone had actually painted over the back of the hand, changing the image. Why someone would do that I cant say, but I did contact Mr. Gleason and he very kindly agreed to take a look at it.
Once Gleason was able to verify that the work was indeed his, though he hadnt seen it in years, he utilized an acrylic solvent to remove the overpainting, restoring his work to its eerie original glory.
While painting the hand my thought was to have dramatic lights and dark shapes to match the strobe stabbing effects of the pumpkin, writes Gleason in the letter that is included with the painting, detailing the history of its creation as well as his process for restoration. I did not consciously know I was infusing in the back of the hand a screaming monster with worms coming out of his mouth, eye and nose. This kind of freaks me out. I couldnt have done it better if I had tried to do that. What dark nightmares lurk in my psyche?
Wanna make a bid on the art? If you do…tell ’em SHOCK sent ya!
Go HERE if you’re so inclined…
