Here’s an image I found today while browsing around wikipedia. I couldn’t resist sharing it. The painting is by J. Allen St. John, and it was apparently made for a 1905 book titled The Face in the Pool, although I can’t find any trace of the fantasy novel online. Oh well. I doubt the book was as cool as the painting.
Face in the Pool by J. Allen St. John
Previously I’d never heard of J. Allen St. John, so I did a little research and found out he was the cover artist for numerous books by Edgar Rice Burroughs, who gave the world both John Carter and Tarzan! Then, I checked my own bookshelf and found I own a Burroughs book with a J. Allen St. John cover. I’d share it hear if not for the gratuitous use of sideboob.
Sigh. I wish book covers and illustrations were still this cool. At least comics have elaborate covers.
Fans of Frank Frazetta should spend some time looking at the work of J. Allen St. John.
This is wonderful. I love how many fairytale aspects he’s put in it. I wish covers were still this cool too.
J. Allen St. John was one of the all-time great artists–period. There’s a marvelous art book that came out 3-4 years ago — The Paintings of J. Allen St. John: Grand Master of Fantasy — that chronicles his life and art.