Chesley Bonestell (1888-1987) was not only the greatest space painter of the 20th century,
he
helped create some of that century's defining icons. As an architect, he worked on and
helped
design the Golden Gate
Bridge and the Chrysler Building. As a motion picture
special
effects
artist he helped define the look of films such as Citizen Kane and
The
Magnificent
Ambersons. He later played a important role in the creation of
such classic
George Pal
movies as Destination Moon and War of the
Worlds.
As a space artist, he not only
inspired generations of astronomers,
writers,
astronauts, artists and engineers,
he
was an instrumental
force in the
creation of the American space program.
He
worked
closely with
such
pioneers of astronautics as Wernher von Braun
and Willy Ley and
seminal science fiction authors such as Arthur C. Clarke.
Today, his
works are avidly sought by collectors and are
the prize exhibits
in
museums
such as the
National Air & Space Museum in Washington.