FRANCIS ROTHBART HC (C: 0-1-2)(W) Woodruff, Thomas (A) Woodruff, Thomas (C) Woodruff, ThomasFANTAGRAPHICS BOOKSStockID: 51399 SKU: JUL221498A stunning- head-turning- 'graphic opera' masterpiece from an acclaimed painter and illustrator. Francis Rothbart follows a feral child who is raised by magpies and other creatures and is repeatedly struck by lightning. Because of these phenomena- the child develops eccentric talents- which he then abuses- leading to his ultimate destruction by the same natural world that once nurtured him. Written mostly in rhymed verse- Francis's picaresque saga unfolds in an allegorical environment- much like the topographical constructions behind renaissance religious paintings. Referencing both the Venetian landscapes of Bellini- Pierro di Cosimo- and Carpaccio- mixed with the unlikely animated backdrops of Jay Ward and Chuck Jones- Woodruff's images recall the fictive gardens of a paradise lost that lingers somewhere deep in all our souls- moist and dark like the caves of the pious saints. Combining both paintings and drawings- each scene is a visual and verbal feast that transports us to a place in which trees anthropomorphize into figures bending from the weight of stalactite crowns- an iris becomes the gown for an oneiric sprite- and the sky rains down tears- as if mimicking the melancholy of a weeping willow. In a muted palette- Woodruff's carbon and white charcoal pencil drawings bring us ever closer to this mythical ecology. The artist lovingly focuses on every detail: ethereal- fragile blossoms- petals- roots- and leaves; impressively observed wildlife creatures; and each curve of the hand lettered text is rendered by the delicate hand of an illustrative obsessionist with a penchant for the poignant. Woodruff's images are multi-sourced amalgamations that echo with familiarity- portraying a world that is not only our own but also exists in the place of our half-remembered dreams. Thomas Woodruff's works have been included in numerous exhibitions nationally and internationally including the Whitney Museum of Art (NY)- The Norman Rockwell Museum (MA)- the Kohler Arts Center (WI)- and the National Gallery of Australia. He lives in upstate New YorkThis is a PRESALE. Release date stated in title. Books will ship after release date. Release dates subject to change without notice. We do not guarantee release dates set by publishers.This listing uses stock images, images may not have final trade dress. Final art may vary and will have trade dress (logos). Virgin covers will be explicitly stated in the title. If the title does not state that the cover is virgin, it will have logos/trade dress. Industry standard is to provide retailers with images prior to release, these images usually do not contain logos but logos will be on the actual product when it is released.Books will be in Near Mint (NM) 9.4 or better condition.Any CGC offerings will ship in approximately 60 - 90 days after the release date. Signed, special or limited edition items usually have later release dates than the initial release. Title may state the release date of the unsigned/non limited item.No returns or refunds.
