Peter Ellenshaw Large-Scale Landscape Oil Painting, Late 20th Century
Item Details
William Samuel Cook “Peter” Ellenshaw (English, United States, 1913 – 2007)
Untitled (landscape), late 20th century
Oil painting on canvas
Signed to lower left
Artist stamp to verso
Peter Ellenshaws was born in 1913 in London, England. His illustrious career in the film industry began when he took an apprenticeship with W. Percy Day, a special effects artist and matte painter. In film, matte paintings are done on glass in order to extend film sets or create fantasy locations. While working with Day, Ellenshaw created paintings for such classics as Things to Come, The Thief of Baghdad and Black Narcissus. Ellenshaw would go on to become an Academy Award winning special effects artist working for some of the most famous people in the film industry including Walt Disney, Stanley Kubrick, and Michael Powell.
Ellenshaw took a hiatus from the film industry to serve in the Second World War as a pilot for the British Royal Air Force. Upon his return, Ellenshaw worked on MGM’s film Quo Vadis as a matte artist. In the late 1940s, Ellenshaw began a long-running career with Walt Disney that spanned across 30 years and 34 films. After moving to California in 1953, Ellenshaw was able to expand upon his creative vision and contributed to the creation of several attractions for Disneyland including Circlevision Theater Show, TWA’s Rocket Ship to the Moon and X-1 Satellite View of America.
Through the 1960s, Ellenshaw continued his work with Disney Studios contributing to popular television shows including Davy Crockett and Zorro. Ellenshaw also created matte paintings for Stanley Kubrick’s film Spartacus while remaining a full time schedule for Disney Studios. Ellenshaw won an Academy Award for best visual effects for his work on the film Mary Poppins and was nominated an additional three times for other Disney feature films.
In 1970, after his work in the film industry, Peter and his wife, Bobbie, moved to Ireland. While in Ireland, Ellenshaw became inspired by the rugged Irish coast and began creating beautiful landscapes of the Emerald Isles. Today, those paintings are part of notable collections including the American Embassy in Dublin, Adare Manor, Dromoland Castle, Waterville House, and Ashford Castle.
Peter would travel on to paint spectacular locations across the world including the Himalayas, Monet’s Garden, the Mojave Desert, San Francisco, and New York. Ellenshaw’s later works carry with them the pictorial realism which he developed through his many years in the film industry. In 1993, Ellenshaw was recognized for his many contributions to Disney Studios and was declared a ‘Disney Legend’ by CEO Michael Eisner and Roy E. Disney. At the age of 93, Peter passed away in his home in Santa Barbara, California.
Condition
- no apparent conditions to note.
Dimensions
- measures frame; sight measures 35.5" W x 23.5" H.
- This item may be especially difficult to move and/or transport. The winner is responsible for bringing appropriate assistance, vehicle, proper materials, and any necessary tools to pickup. International shipping may be restricted.
- Item not examined outside of mounting.
Item #
ITMGD10408
