New Exhibit at The Heckscher Museum of Art: August 24 - November 17, 2019

The Don, by Mort Künstler
1969, mixed media
©Mort Künstler, Inc.

Exhibit: Mort Künstler: "The Godfather" of Pulp Fiction Illustrators

Address: The Heckscher Museum of Art, 2 Prime Avenue, Huntington, NY 11743

Telephone: 631-351-3250
Email: info@heckscher.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 2019

The Heckscher Museum of Art Presents: 

Mort Künstler: "The Godfather" of Pulp Fiction Illustrators

on view August 24 to November 17, 2019 

Huntington, NY — Long before blockbuster superhero movies, those looking for an adrenaline rush turned to adventure magazines featuring exciting stories and thrilling illustrations. As the go-to artist and illustrator, Mort Künstler's work graced hundreds of magazine covers, stories, and books, firmly establishing his prominence in the pulp fiction genre. For the first time, more than 80 of these remarkable original artworks – many of them never exhibited before – are shown together in The Heckscher Museum of Art's exhibition Mort Künstler: "The Godfather" of Pulp Fiction Illustrators. 

To see and hear more about the exhibition in Mort Künstler's own words, click here for the YouTube video preview

Mort Künstler: "The Godfather" of Pulp Fiction Illustrators

Originally featured in magazines such as Stag, Male, and For Men Only in the '50s, '60s, and '70s, the illustrations brought to life headlines that screamed adventure. The images of men in combat, women in distress, and nature threatening man immediately caught the reader's attention. "You try to pick a moment that will entice the reader and catch their attention and make them want to read the whole text," explains Künstler. "The whole goal is to make them stop and go, 'what's going on here?'"

Jet-Sled Raid on Russia's Ice Cap Pleasure Stockade, by Mort Künstler

1967, gouache

 ©Mort Künstler, Inc. 

Künstler was so good, that there were instances when his carefully detailed illustrations actually inspired a story, rather than the other way around. During his long career, Künstler illustrated stories for many authors, including Mario Puzo, author of The Godfather, who wrote in the same magazines under the pen name Mario Cleri. Künstler illustrated Puzo's The Godfather long before the movie franchise. His vision comes amazingly close to how the characters eventually appeared in the movies. These paintings will be on exhibit in Mort Künstler: "The Godfather" of Pulp Fiction Illustrators. 

The Heckscher Museum is producing a catalogue to accompany Mort Künstler: "The Godfather" of Pulp Fiction Illustrators, and publication of a companion book on Mort's men's adventure art will be released during the exhibit. A traveling exhibition is being organized as well. Artist appearances and signings to be announced.

For more information, visit the The Heckscher Museum of Art website or Contact Us:  Kunstler Enterprises, Ltd., 800-850-1776, info@mortkunstler.com, www.mkunstler.com

Mort Künstler: The Art of Adventure now open! (Meet the Artist too!)

Date: February 26, 2016 - May 30, 2016

Address: The Long Island Museum of American Art, History & Carriages

1200 Route 25A

Stony Brook, NY 11794

Telephone: 631-751-0066

Mort Künstler: The Art of Adventure, a major retrospective exhibit of Mort's paintings starting with childhood art through to his most recent paintings, will be on display at The Long Island Museum of American Art, History & Carriages from February 26, 2016 thru May 30, 2016. The Long Island Museum is in Stony Brook, about an hour away from Mort's hometown of Oyster Bay. He's visited the museum several times to research their large collection of carriages. Mort Künstler: The Art of Adventure has been organized by the Norman Rockwell Museum, Stockbridge Massachusetts.

In addition to this Exhibition, an additional program will be taking place at the museum: 

Date: Friday, March 18, 2016 from 5:00-7:00pm
Event: Alive@five: An Evening with Mort Künstler
Admission: $15
When the sun goes down and the lights are low, what goes on at the museum? Join us for drinks, light refreshments, and a special program to find out! Mort Künstler, internationally-acclaimed artist, illustrator, and native Long Islander will speak about his artistic process when creating the meticulously researched paintings of the American Civil War, historical subjects, and illustrations. Following his presentation, Mort will lead an informative, engaging tour of the exhibition Mort Künstler: The Art of Adventure. 

Norman Rockwell Museum Presents: Mort Künstler: The Art of Adventure

For more information, visit the Long Island Museum of American Art Website

Brooklyn Art Museum: Coney Island Visions of an American Dreamland

November 20, 2015 – March 13, 2016

For 150 years, Coney Island has lured artists as a microcosm and icon of American culture. Coney Island: Visions of an American Dreamland, 1861–2008 is the first major exhibition to explore the kaleidoscopic visual record they created, documenting the historic destination’s beginnings as a watering hole for the wealthy, its transformation into a popular beach resort and amusement mecca, its decades of urban decline culminating in the closing of Astroland, and its recent revival as a vibrant and growing community.

Mort Künstler's painting "Coney Island" was selected to be part of this traveling exhibit which is now at the Brooklyn Museum, thru March 13, 2016. Going to the opening was quite special for Mort and Deborah as they were both born and raised in Brooklyn and met at Pratt Institute in Brooklyn. As a child, Mort would often go to the Brooklyn Museum to draw and take art lessons. He went on to study Art at Brooklyn College and Pratt Institute. As you know, the rest is history. 

Mort and Deborah Künstler at the opening of the exhibit on November 18, 2015.

For more information about the event, click here.

Meet Mort Künstler in Gettysburg November 7th

Saturday, November 7, 2015
10:30am - 3:30pm
King James Galleries of Gettysburg 
15 Baltimore Street Gettysburg, PA
For information: 855-855-1863

Mort will be signing the Official 2015 Annual Snow Print: "The Winds of Change."

When searching for a defining moment of the Revolution, Mort always thinks of George Washington at Valley Forge. This beautiful painting is the result of on-site research at Valley Forge National Historical Park. Friedrich Steuben, the new inspector general of the army, arrived at Valley Forge on February 23rd. He drew up and enforced a new manual of drill and training for the entire Continental army. By the time they left in June, they were smarter and better disciplined than ever before. This painting shows Steuben on foot talking with Washington, who has ridden up to see how the drilling of the troops is going.

Until now, this painting has only been reproduced in his book, The New Nation: The Creation of the United States in Paintings and Eyewitness Accounts, and his 2014 New Nation calendar.

WSU Brings Civil War Art Work of Mort Künstler to Ogden Utah

Press Release: September 28, 2015

OGDEN, Utah — Civil War stories, photographs, prints and paintings have captivated and inspired generations of Americans. Some of the most historically accurate paintings will be displayed in the Ogden Eccles Conference Center (2415 Washington Blvd.) from Oct. 15-17.

Several original works of famous Civil War artist Mort Künstler will be exhibited as part of the annual Lampros Lecture Series hosted by Weber State University’s Department of History. The exhibit, “Civil War Stories,” will be free and open to the public from noon-7 p.m. each day.

The artist will lecture on select pieces of art Oct. 16 from 7-8:30 p.m. at the Ogden Eccles Conference Center.

“Ogden is in for a real treat,” said Jack Lampros, chairman of the Stewart Education Foundation. “Mort Künstler is one of the premier Civil War artists. It is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for most of us to see an artist of his stature come to Ogden and display his art.”

Lampros has always had an affinity for the Civil War, having grown up in Florida. The lecture series that bears his name has brought Civil War scholars to Ogden each year.

“My interest in the Civil War goes back a long way,” he said. “In my hometown there was a big statue of a confederate soldier in the courthouse square, and I used to see that every day as a boy growing up.”

The exhibit was made possible by a donation from the Stewart Education Foundation. The effort to bring Künstler became a possibility after WSU development director Nathan Clark and history professor Richard Sadler met an acquaintance of Künstler at a Civil War reenactment in Virginia. With the support of Frank Harrold, dean of the College of Social & Behavioral Sciences, they contacted the artist about bringing a show to Ogden.

  “He has shown his artwork in many museums in the east but was intrigued that a university out west wanted a showing,” Clark said.

Künstler’s fascination with the Civil War began in 1982 when he was commissioned by CBS to create a piece of artwork for the miniseries “The Blue and the Gray.” Six years later his painting “The High Water Mark” was unveiled at the Gettysburg National Military Park Museum to commemorate the 125th anniversary of the battle. That painting was sold to a private collector many years ago, but was recently repurchased by a Künstler representative and will be part of the Ogden exhibition.

“Every picture that Mort Künstler paints is a chapter out of the Civil War,” Lampros said. “It is like a whole story told in picture form.”
In addition to pieces on the Civil War, Künstler will also bring four pieces showcasing the American West, including his depiction of a famous Utah event.

In addition to pieces on the Civil War, Künstler will also bring four pieces showcasing the American West, including his depiction of a famous Utah event.

“One in particular that we wanted him to bring was his Golden Spike piece,” Clark said. “At one time, Mr. Künstler had been out here and seen the historical site, and it inspired him to recreate the scene in a painting.”
Künstler studied art in New York and California, where he received assignments from book and magazine publishers. He came to prominence in the early 1970s, generating the interest of art collectors, including former President Ronald Reagan. He has painted many important events in American history, from pre-colonial America to the launch of the space shuttle.

The annual Lampros Lecture is sponsored by Jack and Betty Lampros, the College of Social & Behavioral Sciences and the Department of History.
Visit weber.edu/wsutoday for more news about Weber State University.

  To Read Original Press release, Click Here

The Making of a Masterpiece: Winds of Change Phase 5

Winds of Change

Washington at Valley Forge, March 4, 1778

I have used the light streak of the setting sun to create a maximum of contrast against the black of Washington’s hat to take the eye to the center of interest, George Washington. The line-up of the troops behind von Steuben forms a visual arrow with the point leading the eye to Washington, as does the broken limb in the right foreground. In the far background can be seen the stumps of all the trees needed to build the cabin city, as well as heat it.    – Mort Künstler

Mort’s depiction of Washington is in keeping with the personal observations of his peers. Thomas Jefferson described him on a horse as follows: "His person, you know, was fine, his stature exactly what one would wish, his deportment easy, erect, and noble. He was the best horseman of his age and the most graceful figure that could be seen on horseback."

This limited edition print is now available for purchase: http://bit.ly/1Lh3loL

The Making of a Masterpiece: Winds of Change Phase 4

Winds of Change

Washington at Valley Forge, March 4, 1778

The scene shows von Steuben, who is on foot, talking with Washington, who has ridden up to see how the drilling of the troops is going. No more than twenty-five or thirty men could be drilled at any one time. The troops, including Washington’s Life Guards, wait at ease. Alexander Hamilton, the next most prominent rider under the flags and immediately in back of Washington, is easily recognized – his picture is on the $10 bill.     – Mort Künstler

Mort has painted all the figures and some of the flags. After painting the flags above the troops on the left, and the foreground, the painting will be complete.

The Making of a Masterpiece: Winds of Change Phase 3

Winds of Change

Washington at Valley Forge, March 4, 1778

In the winter of 1777-78 Valley Forge was the fifth largest city in what was then the United Colonies. I realized that I could show the enormous size of the encampment, and the hardship the men endured, by showing as much of the cabins as possible. I was also able to get in a construction scene in the middle ground to the immediate right of the General’s entourage. Part of the crew warms up around a fire. Behind them, in the background near the cabins, is the regimental standard of the Pennsylvania regiment present at Valley Forge during that epic winter of hardship.     – Mort Künstler

Although the majority of the painting needs to be completed, you can see in this small detail a large number of cabins, as well as a group of soldiers warming themselves by a fire.

The Making of a Masterpiece: The Winds of Change Phase 2

Winds of Change
Washington at Valley Forge, March 4, 1778

After reading whatever I could in advance, I visited Valley Forge National Historical Park and had a tour of all the pertinent sites with its then chief historian, Dona McDermott. I examined all previous art that had been done of Washington at Valley Forge and realized no one had ever done one painting showing Washington, Von Steuben, Lafayette, and Alexander Hamilton all at the same time. I also wanted to be able to show snow on the ground. When I learned that von Steuben arrived on February 23^rd, and there was a heavy snowfall on March 3^rd, I had my time frame for the painting.      – Mort Künstler

You can see what the feel of the painting will be after Mort has painted the sky. When completed, you will see that he used the light streak of the setting sun to create a contrast against the center of interest, George Washington.

The Making of a Masterpiece: Winds of Change Phase 1

Winds of Change
Washington at Valley Forge, March 4, 1778

When searching for a defining moment of the Revolution, I always think of Washington at Valley Forge. I had painted the Father of our Country a number of times, but never as a major oil painting at that time of our nation’s War of Independence. Finally the opportunity came when a good friend of mine wanted to know if I would be interested in painting George Washington. His only stipulation was that it be colorful. I leapt at the chance. – Mort Künstler

Mort draws preliminary sketches in order to come up with his concept, the right angle, perspective, etc. After Mort has settled on the composition, he draws a final charcoal sketch on a piece of brown paper to help him indicate lighting effects (top). Take note of the grid he has drawn on the sketch in order to help him transfer the sketch directly onto the canvas (bottom).

Christie's American Art Auction This Thursday

Rendezvous With Destiny by Mort Künstler

Rendezvous With Destiny, an original Künstler oil painting, and two illustrations from Künstler's private collection are up for auction at Christie's American Art Auction this Thursday, May 21. Künstler has been collecting art from prominent American illustrators for most of his career, and has made the difficult decision to part with two exceptional pieces by Dean Cornwell and Joseph Christian Leyendecker.

Click here for more information about the paintings and the auction. 

Exhibition Opening: An Evening with Mort Künstler

Exhibition Opening: An Evening with Mort Künstler
Saturday, May 9, 2015
7:00 pm to 9:00 pm
Museum of the Shenandoah Valley
901 Amherst Street
Winchester, Virginia 22601

Join artist Mort Künstler at this reception celebrating the MSV opening of Mort Künstler: The Art of Adventure. On view at the MSV from May 9 through August 2, 2015, Mort Künstler: The Art of Adventure will highlight Künstler’s career with the display of more than 70 works. Don’t miss this special after-hours event! Mort Künstler: The Art of Adventure has been organized by the Norman Rockwell Museum, Stockbridge, Massachusetts.

Künstler will also be signing prints at the museum earlier in the day. For more details about the signing event, click here. 

Meet Mort Künstler! Signing Event at the Museum of the Shenandoah Valley

Meet Mort Künstler!
Saturday, May 9, 2015
11:00 am to 4:00 pm
Museum of the Shenandoah Valley
901 Amherst Street
Winchester, Virginia 22601

Join Mort Künstler at the Museum of the Shenandoah Valley for a signing event and the opening of the exhibition Mort Künstler: The Art of Adventure. Künstler will be available to sign prints and books, which will also be available for purchase in the Museum Store. Mort Künstler: The Art of Adventure has been organized by the Norman Rockwell Museum, Stockbridge, and will be on view in the MSV from May 9 through August 2, 2015.

Admission is not required to meet the artist. Regular admission fees apply to tour the exhibition (free to MSV Members and ages 12 & under; all others: $10, $8 youth/senior). The artist will be taking breaks throughout the day. For more information call 540-662-1473, ext. 235.

Paintings at Auction from the Private Collection of Mort Künstler

Three distinguished paintings from Mort’s private collection are going up for auction at Heritage Auctions on May 2. One of Mort’s original masterworks, Duty, Honor and Tears, has been prominently displayed in the Künstler home since it was painted in 2009. It will be available to the public for the very first time.

Beyond his own body of work, Mort has amassed one of the greatest collections of Golden-Age illustration in private hands. He has decided to offer to Heritage pieces by Dean Cornwell, dubbed the “Dean of American Illustrators” by Norman Rockwell, and Joseph Christian Leyendecker who played an extremely influential role in the careers of both Norman Rockwell and Mort Künstler. 

Heritage’s American Art Signature Auction will take place in Dallas on May 2 at 2pm CT.

MORT KÜNSTLER (American, b. 1931)

Duty, Honor and Tears, (Long Branch, Millwood, Virginia, May 24, 1862), 2009

Oil on canvas

28-3/8 x 40 inches (72.1 x 101.6 cm)

Signed and dated lower right: © M Künstler 09

PROPERTY FROM THE COLLECTION OF MORT KÜNSTLER

Lot #68056

Click here for more information or to place an online bid.

JOSEPH CHRISTIAN LEYENDECKER (American, 1874-1951)

The Voice in the Rice, The Saturday Evening Post story illustration, June-July 1909

Oil on canvas

29 x 21 inches (73.7 x 53.3 cm)

Signed with monogram lower left: JC

PROPERTY FROM THE COLLECTION OF MORT KÜNSTLER

Lot #68054

Click here for more information or to place an online bid.

DEAN CORNWELL (American, 1892-1960)

Burning Love, possible American Magazine story illustration, June 1942

Oil on Masonite

39 x 15-1/4 inches (99.1 x 38.7 cm)

PROPERTY FROM THE COLLECTION OF MORT KÜNSTLER

Lot #68055

Click here for more information or to place an online bid.