Space Capsule Orbiting in Outer Space
American: c. 1960s
Pen and ink and gouache on golden brown illustration board
19.75 x 29.75 inches, overall
25.75 x 33.5 inches, frame
$600
Space Capsule Orbiting in Outer Space
Original Illustration Art: c. 1960s
Original Illustration Art: c. 1960s
 Full sheet |
Frame and mat detail |
Illustration art of a U.S. space capsule above a planet or moon, rockets blazing and four landing legs extended. The artwork is untitled, but the capsule is labeled United States with an American flag and is in the general form of an Apollo command module, with the addition of the four landing legs. This, and the style of the work suggest that it was drawn around the time of the Apollo program in the 1960s. The illustration may have been an artist's conception of what a lunar module would look like by attaching legs to a command module, but the designs that were actually used for the first moon landing in 1969 were quite different. The artist has made effective use of white paint against the dark-toned illustration board to suggest the bright form of the capsule, and the round silhouette of the planet, against the depth of outer space.
Condition: Generally very good with the usual overall light toning, wear, handling. Board somewhat warped but flattens upon framing. Vintage brown wood frame with bronzed finish, colored cloth mat with gold paper bevel with the usual wear and shrinkage.
Reference:
"Apollo Space Capsules." Historic Spacecraft. http://historicspacecraft.com/Apollo_Capsules.html#CM-103 (2 January 2012).