Bidding for this lot will end on Wednesday, August 26th. The auction will begin at 9:30 AM (PDT) / 12:30 PM (EDT) / 5:30 PM (GMT) and lots are sold sequentially via live auctioneer; tune in to the live streaming broadcast on auction day to follow the pace. Note other lots in the auction may close on Thursday, August 27th or Friday, August 28th or Saturday, August 29th.
A concept study for the Emperor’s arrival at the Death Star, hand-painted by Frank Ordaz from the production of Richard Marquand’s Return of the Jedi. Emperor Palpatine (Ian McDiarmid) arrived aboard his Imperial shuttle to inspect the construction of the second Death Star and confer with Darth Vader (David Prowse), setting in motion the final stages of the Empire’s trap for the Rebel Alliance.
This mixed-media artwork was created by artist Frank Ordaz as a concept study prior to producing the final matte painting for the sequence. The composition combines a production photograph of the Death Star hangar, featuring the arriving shuttle and ranks of assembled Stormtroopers, with acrylic paint enhancements, while the remainder of the vast interior has been fully rendered in acrylic by Ordaz. The TIE Bomber visible in the left foreground was added later in matte paint.
The artwork is rendered on an illustration board mounted to a card display. Three windows beneath the main image showcase photographs of the completed matte painting, Ordaz at work on the painting, and a still from the finished scene as it appears on screen.
The lot is accompanied by a signed letter of authenticity from Ordaz.
The piece exhibits general wear consistent with age, including scrapes to the edges that reveal the white substrate beneath. Tape residue is exhibited along the upper-right edge where it was applied during pre-production and subsequently removed. Dimensions: 19.75” x 15.75” (50 cm x 40 cm)
Sold without copyright; see copyright notice in the Terms and Conditions.
Estimate: $8,000 - 16,000
View all lots from STAR WARS: RETURN OF THE JEDI (1983)
This item comes with a Propstore Certificate of Authenticity.