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

Anniversary of Washington's Crossing of the Delaware

We're anticipating the 240th anniversary of this historic event with plans for Mort's painting, Washington's Crossing. It will appear as part of the exhibit, Mort Künstler: The New Nation, at The Heckscher Museum of Art, Huntington, New York (opening December 10, 2016. ) We also have plans to release a new limited edition print of the painting later this year.

When Mort's Washington's Crossing was unveiled in 2011, this New York Times article began "a media firestorm."

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

Mort Künstler: The Art of Adventure Traveling to Long Island

Mort is very pleased that the major retrospective exhibit Mort Künstler: The Art of Adventure is coming to Long Island. The exhibit, organized by The Norman Rockwell Museum, 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.

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.

Official Release of Respect of an Army at The Heckscher Museum of Art, April 12

The Heckscher Museum of Art
2 Prime Avenue
Huntington, NY 11743
Sunday, April 12, 2015
2:00pm - 4:00pm

Mort Künstler will be signing limited edition prints of Respect of an Army.
Prints and books will be available for purchase. If you are unable to attend the event we ship your purchase.

The Heckscher Museum of Art is pleased to announce the release of Respect of an Army limited edition print by Mort Künstler, Sunday, April 12, 2015. The original painting will be on view from Saturday, April 11, through Sunday, April 19.

Künstler's 'Coney Island' On Display in Traveling Exhibit

An iconic Künstler painting may be coming to a city near you. Mort Künstler's Coney Island will be on loan for the traveling exhibit Coney Island: Visions of an American Dreamland: 1861-2008.

From the museum:

Coney Island: Visions of an American Dreamland will be the first major exhibition to use visual art as a lens to explore the lure that Coney Island exerted on American culture over a period of 150 years. An extraordinary array of artists viewed Coney Island as a microcosm of the American experience, from its beginnings as a watering hole for the wealthy, through its transformation into an entertainment mecca for the masses, to the closing of Astroland Amusement Park following decades of urban decline.

Exhibit Dates:

Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art, Hartford, Connecticut, January 21, 2015 -

May 31, 2015

San Diego Museum of Art, San Diego, California, July 11, 2015 – October 13, 2015
Brooklyn Museum, Brooklyn, New York, November 20, 2015 – March 13, 2016
McNay Art Museum, San Antonio, Texas, May 11, 2016 – September 11, 2016

Coney Island by Mort Künstler, 1955, Gouache, 17" x 25"

Meet Mort Künstler - Exhibit Opening: Mort Künstler: The Art of Adventure

Opening Event

MORT KÜNSTLER: THE ART OF ADVENTURE
Saturday, November 15, 2014
6 to 8:30.p.m.
Comments at 6:30 p.m. by Mort Künstler

A reception will follow, including refreshments and a cash bar.
Members free, not-yet members $20.
RSVP by November 7
413.931.2264 or rsvp@nrm.org

Known for his meticulously researched historical paintings of the American Civil War and other subjects, Mort Künstler is also a prolific illustrator whose romance, adventure, and sporting illustrations have engaged and entertained readers for five decades. Original artworks created for such popular twentieth century publications as True, Argosy, Men’s Story, Sports Afield, Outdoor Life, American Weekly, and The Saturday Evening Post, as well as movie posters, book jackets, advertisements, and history paintings reflect diverse artistic genres and the evolution of a distinguished sixty year career.

Books and prints signed by Mr. Künstler will be available in the Museum store. At the request of the artist and his family, Mr. Künstler will not be signing books or prints at the opening. He will be signing prints and books on November 29th and March 7th at the Museum.

Meet Mort Künstler - Exhibit Opening: The American Spirit: The Paintings of Mort Künstler

Date: Time: Address: Telephone:	October 18, 2014 1:00 p.m. lecture followed by book signing Lehigh Valley Heritage Museum 432 W. Walnut Street Allentown, Penn. 18102 610-435-1074

This exhibit features over fifty original paintings and giclées. Mort will give a presentation on the process involved in researching and painting historical scenes. Following the talk, Mort will be available to sign copies of his new book The New Nation: The Creation of the United States in Paintings and Eyewitness Accounts. The exhibit will run through February 28, 2015.

Mort Kunstler: The Art of Adventure Exhibit Opening

We are very excited about Mort’s upcoming exhibit opening at the Norman Rockwell Museum in November. After all, Norman Rockwell was the master illustrator and Mort greatly admires his work. This exhibit will be a major retrospective of his whole career, starting with his childhood art. The museum has been working with Mort for over a year to select original paintings, drawings, sketches and even a sculpture that Mort did back in 1984. If you have never been to this beautiful museum in Stockbridge, Massachusetts you should definitely use this exhibit as an impetus to visit! The opening event is Saturday, November 15th. We will post information as it becomes available.

Washington County Museum of Fine Arts

Print signing and sale, weekend of February 22-23, 2014. Photos courtesy of the Washington County Museum of Fine Arts in Hagerstown, Maryland.

Exhibit at the Normal Rockwell Museum

The Norman Rockwell Museum contacted Mort awhile ago about having a major retrospective exhibit of his paintings. The exhibit is set to run from November of 2014 to March of 2015. Last week, we had a visit from the museum's Stephanie Plunkett and Martin Mahoney to discuss which paintings from Mort's personal collection will be in the show. It's going to be a fabulous show.

Meet Mort Künstler at the South Carolina State Museum

The South Carolina State Museum is pleased to host an exhibition of the artwork of renowned historical artist Mort Künstler. This show focuses on Künstler’s work on scenes from the Civil War. His meticulously researched and detailed artwork provides a unique glimpse into the war years. It covers the tumult of the battlefield and the everyday drama of the men and women who lived through the turmoil of the most tragic war in U.S. history.

Meet the Artist On Nov. 3

Mort Künstler will visit the State Museum to autograph copies of his books, prints and other memorabilia for the public. Please contact JoAnn Zeise, curator of history, for more information at joann.zeise@scmuseum.org or (803)898-4942.

http://www.scmuseum.org/exhibits/kunstler.aspx

Museum Exhibition: North Carolina Museum of History

Where: North Carolina Museum of History
When: August 2013 - January 2014
Address: 5 East Edenton Street - Raleigh, North Carolina 27601
For more information call: (919) 807-7900

Museum Exhibition: Reading Public Museum

Where: Reading Public Museum
When: April 26th - July 28th, 2013
Address: 500 Museum Road - Reading, PA 19611-1425
For more information call: (610) 371-5850

Museum Exhibition: South Carolina State Museum

For Us, The Living: The Civil War Art of Mort Künstler
An Exhibition of Over 30 Original Civil War Paintings

Where: South Carolina State Museum

When: October 5, 2012 - April 7, 2013

Address: 301 Gervais Street - Columbia, South Carolina 29201

For more information call: (803) 898-4921

Visit the South Carolina State Museum official website to learn more!

Museum Exhibition: Virginia Museum of the Civil War at New Market Battlefield State Historical Park

Where: Virginia Museum of the Civil War at New Market Battlefield State Historical Park
When: June - September 3, 2012
Address: 8895 George Collins Parkway - New Market, Virginia 22844
For more information call: (866) 515-1864

2011 Events

American Realism: Past, Present, Future
A Free Panel Discussion at The Forbes Galleries
Thursday, June 16, 2011
6-7 pm, with Q&A to follow

To mark the final week of its special exhibition, Reflections: Celebrating the Life of Clark Hulings, The Forbes Galleries cordially invites you to attend a free panel discussion exploring a theme that was always of great significance to Hulings:

Where is realist painting in America today, and where it is headed?

Speaking informally to this urgent subject will be three renowned painters:
Frederick Brosen, Mort Künstler, and Robert Palevitz.

The conversation will be moderated by Peter Trippi, Editor of Fine Art Connoisseur magazine, and there will be plenty of time for questions and discussion afterward. This event provides an ideal opportunity to enjoy the Hulings exhibition just before it closes to the public on Saturday afternoon, June 18.

The Forbes Galleries
62 Fifth Avenue (at 12th Street)
New York, NY 10010
212.206.5548

No reservations are necessary to attend.

Exhibit of Mort Künstler’s Original Paintings
Booth Western Art Museum
Cartersville, Georgia

“For Us the Living”
April 2nd – September 4th

The American Spirit Exhibit

Mort Künstler talks about art and the American Spirit Exhibit with commentary by Franklin Hill Perrell, Chief Curator of the Nassau County Museum of Art in Roslyn, NY