Matthew Yuricich Matte Painting - Mothership Top for Finale Landing | CLOSE ENCOUNTERS OF THE THIRD KIND (1977)

Sold Stock #92387 | Sold Oct 2 2018

CLOSE ENCOUNTERS OF THE THIRD KIND (1977)

Entertainment Memorabilia Live Auction 2018

Matthew Yuricich Matte Painting - Mothership Top for Finale Landing

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A matte painting by Matthew Yuricich from Steven Spielberg’s sci-fi classic Close Encounters of the Third Kind. 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 an alien mothership touched down at the military base on Devil’s Tower. The artwork served as the top of the alien spacecraft and as an extension of the practical light-up model.

The painting is achieved using acrylic paints on a large sheet of masonite, with the artwork located at the top portion of the board. Below the art is a large surface covered in a black wash, where the live-action photography would overlap. Notably, the artwork features the first names of numerous members of the crew hidden in the top panels, including Douglas Trumbull , Larry Albright, Richard Yuricich, Joyce Goldberg, Mona Thal Benefiel, and Stephen Spielberg. Written on a wide piece of white gaffer tape at the top left corner of the board are shot references “R5-10+45”, “R6-32+68” and “H=6 V=6”.

The artwork shows wear to the masonite due to production use and age, and was recently cleaned and given an extremely minimal touch-up by assistant matte artist Rocco Gioffre. The piece remains in fine condition. Dimensions: 204 cm x 96.5 cm x 0.5 cm (80 ¼” x 38” x ¼”)

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

£2,000 - 3,000

This item comes with a Propstore Certificate of Authenticity

This item is located in London.

This item is located in Los Angeles.