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A hand-painted limited edition cel titled "Geppetto's Workbench" produced by the Walt Disney Studio's master inkers and painters using the same traditional methods that defined the Golden Age of animation. Faithfully recreated from Walt Disney's Pinocchio (1940), one of the studio's most technically and artistically ambitious films.
The Pinocchio production marked a turning point for Disney. Following the success of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, the studio pushed the boundaries of what animation could achieve, with revolutionary techniques in perspective, effects animation, and emotional character acting.
The scene captures the moment Geppetto lovingly applies the final details to his wooden marionette, a gesture filled with hope and tenderness that symbolises the heart of the story. Beside him, Figaro the cat and Cleo the goldfish watch in quiet curiosity, completing one of Disney's most charming domestic compositions. The warmth of Geppetto's workshop, filled with intricate wooden textures, soft light, and handcrafted detail, perfectly embodies the film's timeless artistry and emotional sincerity.
Each cel was individually hand-inked on acetate and painted on the reverse with Disney-approved acrylic paints, just as the originals would have been created in the 1930s and 1940s. The rich background has been faithfully recreated by a Disney background artist using original reference materials, colour models, and layout guides preserved in the Walt Disney Animation Research Library.
Because original production cels from Pinocchio are among the rarest and most sought-after of all Disney artworks, very few ever surface on the market. A single cel with this composition would have been created and photographed for the film, meaning only one original setup exists. The studio's limited editions, such as this one, were therefore created to give collectors worldwide the opportunity to own a faithful, hand-painted recreation using the same materials and craftsmanship as the originals.
Released by Disney Art Editions in 1993 in a worldwide edition of only 500 pieces, "Geppetto's Workbench" bears the official Walt Disney Studio seal and stands among the most admired editions of the 1990s. This example is numbered 200 out of 500. There are some tape remnants present on the top two corners of the back of the lot. Sold out upon release, it remains highly collectable today, representing both the artistry of the studio's master craftsmen and the enduring emotional power of Walt's vision. Dimensions: 31.25 cm x 51.75 cm (12.25" x 20.25")
Sold without copyright; see copyright notice in the Terms and Conditions.
Estimate: £1,000 - 2,000 Ω
View all lots from PINOCCHIO (1947)