Devil Rider c. 1970

Frank Frazetta created ‘Devil Rider’ using paint on illustration board, a common commercial practice of the time. Frazetta worked as an illustrator for comics, paperback books, and movie posters. He relied on the qualities of the material—the smoothness and absorbency of the illustration board, the flow of the paint—to create dynamic images quickly. Note the speed of execution: bold brushwork, economical lines, and an unmistakable sense of energy, giving the illustration a unique aesthetic. ‘Devil Rider’ is exemplary of the artist’s style and his engagement with pulp and fantasy genres. This was a field of creative work looked down upon at the time, but his incredible success allowed Frazetta to work for himself. He created exactly the work he wanted, which in turn, opened a whole world of possibilities for other artists. By understanding the material and social context of Frazetta’s illustrations, we can appreciate them beyond traditional definitions of art.