A matte painting by Matthew Yuricich from Ridley Scott’s sci-fi classic Blade Runner. Matte painting is one of cinema’s oldest visual-effects techniques, used to extend sets and create scenery for films by means of a painted image rather than a physical set. This matte painting was used for the shot in which Deckard (Harrison Ford) fled from the replicant Roy Batty (Rutger Hauer) and climbed out of a window onto a ledge of the Bradbury building. The painting is achieved using acrylic paints on a large sheet of masonite. The board features an unpainted section at the top right that has a pencilled layout where the live-action photography would overlap. The painting was deliberately rendered with a limited colour range, as the matte paintings were shot on a high-contrast film stock that enhanced the colour latitude of the image. The artwork is partially painted onto a large printed photograph of the live-action photography featuring Rutger Hauer and Harrison Ford — this enabled the effects artists to ensure a seamless blend between the painting and the live-action photography.

Written at the top left corner of the board is the date “8-12-81”, along with “FX 92”, “H=5o”, and “V=5o”. The artwork shows wear to the masonite due to production use and age, with small areas of the paint sympathetically restored by uncredited Blade Runner matte artist Rocco Gioffre. The piece remains in fine condition. Dimensions: 203 cm x 96.5 cm x 0.5 cm (80” x 38” x ¼”)

Please note this lot is sold without copyright, reproduction rights, licencing agreements or any other type of legal release.

£6,000 - 8,000