(Walt Disney Studios, 1959) Original concept painting by Eyvind Earle for Sleeping Beauty, which depicts the exact moment the sorceress Maleficent magically transforms into a fire-breathing dragon. This surreal conceptual piece represents the halfway point of Maleficent’s stunning transformation from human being to reptilian beast, with Earle drawing the eye to a central glowing orb and its upward flares of mystical greens and purples. While unseen, the presence of Maleficent can be palpably felt both within the orb and among the mysteriously growing flames, hidden away as she takes her frightening final form. Accomplished in gouache on 6 x 15 artist's board. In fine condition, with tack holes to corners, minimal wear to edges, and some scattered marks. Disney artist Eyvind Earle was Sleeping Beauty's production designer, and Disney gave him a significant amount of freedom in designing the settings and selecting colors for the film. Earle also painted the majority of the backgrounds himself, and his stylistic influence is readily apparent in the final product.
