Hannes Bok (American, 1914-1964) The Fifth Power, circa 1940 Tempera on board 30 x 22 inches (76.2 x 55.9 cm) Not signed The Frank Collection of Science Fiction & Fantasy Art Hannes Bok, born Wayne Francis Woodard, on July 2, 1914 was a pioneer in science fiction and fantasy art. His work is characterized by vivid, surreal imagery and bold use of color, and his dreamlike style helped to define the visual language of the genre. Known by the artist as Summer Night, this important work by Bok is called The Fifth Power by the collecting community. This outstanding work is thought to be created as part of the series that was eventually published as a very limited-edition folio titled The Four Powers. The deep blues and greens of the background highlight the inspiration Bok took from Maxfield Parrish and the striking, uncanny angles in the composition and landscape could be by no one but Bok. The present work appears as a color plate on page 82 of A Hannes Bok Treasury by Stephen D. Korshak (Underwood-Miller, 1993). It also appears as a color plate on page 11 of The Frank Collection: A Showcase of the World's Finest Fantastic Art by Jane Frank (Sterling Pub., 1999). HID12401132022 © 2024 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved