AMHERST, NH.- A one-of-a-kind collection of original hand-painted concept art of Charlton Heston as Moses in Cecil B. deMilles classic, The Ten Commandments will be auctioned later this month by New Hampshire based,
RR Auction.
The unsigned oil paintings which are done on artists board and were commissioned directly by deMille and painted by Wally Westmore, the make-up supervisor of the film, with his designs executed by his brother Frank, both members of the prominent Westmore family of make-up artists.
The collection, which is comprised of 6 individual lots, provides insight into the incredible transformation Charlton Heston would undergo during the making of 1956 historical epic film.
In 1957, the film was nominated for seven Academy Awards including Best Picture, winning the Academy Award for Best Visual Effects. Charlton Heston was nominated for a Golden Globe Award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture Drama, for his role as Moses.
It is also considered one of the most financially successful films ever made; it was the most successful film of 1956 and the second-highest grossing film of the decade.
Charlton Heston was one of the iconic film stars of the 20th century, says Bobby Livingston VP at RR Auction, his instantly recognizable features, seen in these paintings have become synonymous with his commanding performance as Moses.
Among the more the 700 museum quality items in the Hollywood auction:
Fabulous unpublished slides from the set of The Ten Commandments collection of items from various Cecil B. DeMille films, that includes The Ten Commandments. The highlight of the grouping is an amazing collection of 15 unpublished 35 mm color slides from the set of The Ten Commandments.
Earnest Bachrachs 1947 Academy Award medal for still photography a true rarity from Hollywoods Golden Age.
Complete Lone Ranger costume worn by Clayton Moore during personal appearances in the 1960s.