Frankenstein Painting Finds Home At Rockwell Museum

Source: Heritage Auction Galleries Press Release

Rolf Armstrong Frankenstein Painting Finds Home at Rockwell Museum
Heritage Auction Galleries Facilitates Donation

DALLAS, TEXAS: A rare portrait of Boris Karloff in his full Frankenstein makeup, rendered by well-known illustration artist Rolf Armstrong, now has a permanent home in the Rockwell Museum, located in Stockbridge, MA, thanks to Dallas-based Heritage Auction Galleries.

"This painting had been in a private collection for many years," said Grey Smith, Director of Vintage Movie Poster Auctions for Heritage, "and when the owner passed away, we contacted the estate and offered to auction the piece for them. They were amenable, but told us that a condition of the owner's will required the painting to be given to a museum."

Doug Norwine, Heritage's Director of Music & Entertainment Auctions, continues, "We arranged for the painting to be loaned to the Rockwell Museum, with the idea of auctioning it after an appropriate period of time. As it turns out, this marvelous piece has proven so popular that the museum has elected to keep it in their permanent collection. We are truly honored to have played a small part in the recovery and now the permanent display of this treasure."

Rolf Armstrong (1899-1960), widely hailed as "the father of the American pin-up," was an important illustration artist whose work adorned countless calendars, magazines, and sheet music covers during the first half of the twentieth century. He captured the images of such top stars as Mary Pickford, Marlene Dietrich, Katharine Hepburn, and Greta Garbo, and even persuaded Boris Karloff to pose for him on the set of Bride of Frankenstein (1935), resulting in this incredible portrait. For years, fans of the Golden Age of Universal Horror have speculated that this iconic work was forever "lost to the ages."

"We're pleased that this painting has found such a good home," said Smith, "and that it will now be available to the general public to see and enjoy for many years to come."

For more information about Heritage's auctions, and a complete record of prices realized, along with full-color, enlargeable photos of each lot, please visit www.HA.com.