MILLER, RON. "SATURN AS SEEN FROM TITAN," 1972

Acrylic on board, 20 by 15 inches, twice signed "Ron Miller" lower right in pencil, inscribed on the verso in Miller's hand: "Saturn as seen from Titan, for Fred and Pip Durant from Ron Miller 1973." Matted and framed to 31 ½ by 26 ¾ inches.  

Ex Collection of Frederick C. Durant, III (gift from the artist, 1973) 

Ron Miller is an author and illustrator specializing in science, astronomy, science fiction and fantasy. Before becoming a freelance illustrator in 1977, Miller was the art director for the National Air and Space Museum’s Albert Einstein Planetarium. His works are held in numerous private and public collections, including the Smithsonian Institution and the Pushkin Museum in Moscow.  In this painting, Miller takes his inspiration from the great space artist Chesley Bonestell and his iconic composition, "Saturn, as seen from Titan" (see lot 2). Miller has spoken widely of Bonestell as one of the great influences on his life and career, and is in turn widely regarded as an authority on Bonestell's work. Stylistically the works have much in common, but Miller's is set apart by its striking use of a deep red sky.