Chesley Bonestell (1888-1986) was a pioneer of astronomical and space art who helped popularize manned space travel. He is well known for his cover art for science fiction magazines, including Astounding Science Fiction (12 covers) and The Magazine of Fantasy and...
[more]Chesley Bonestell (1888-1986) was a pioneer of astronomical and space art who helped popularize manned space travel. He is well known for his cover art for science fiction magazines, including Astounding Science Fiction (12 covers) and The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction (38 covers); and many books, such as The Conquest of Space; The Exploration of Mars; and Beyond the Solar System, that he illustrated in collaboration with several authors well known in the field of space exploration. Bonestell’s work also includes architectural paintings, scientific illustrations, and special effects matte paintings for films such as Destination Moon (1950), When Worlds Collide (1951) and War of the Worlds (1953).
Bonestell was born in San Francisco, California. His first astronomical painting was done in 1905. After seeing Saturn through the 12-inch (300 mm) telescope at San Jose's Lick Observatory, he rushed home to paint what he had seen. The painting was destroyed in the fire that followed the 1906 earthquake.
Bonestell studied architecture at Columbia University in New York City. Dropping out in his third year, he worked as a renderer and designer for several of the leading architectural firms of the time. While with William van Alen, he designed the art deco façade of the Chrysler Building as well as its distinctive gargoyles.[1] During this same period, he designed the Plymouth Rock Memorial, the U.S. Supreme Court Building, the New York Central Building, Manhattan office and apartment buildings and several state capitols.[1]
Returning to the West Coast, he prepared illustrations of the chief engineer's plans for the Golden Gate Bridge for the benefit of funders. When the Great Depression dried up architectural work in the United States, Bonestell went to England, where he rendered architectural subjects for the Illustrated London News. In the late 1930s he moved to Hollywood, where he worked (without screen credit) as a special effects artist, creating matte paintings for such films as The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1939), Citizen Kane (1941), and The Magnificent Ambersons (1942).
Bonestell received a bronze medal from the British Interplanetary Society, a Special Achievement Hugo Award, and was inducted into the International Space Hall of Fame, and the Science Fiction Hall of Fame. The ASFA’s Chesley Award for achievement in science fiction and fantasy art is named for him, and a crater on Mars and asteroid 3129 Bonestell are also named in his honor.
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