Eric Goldberg: After "Aladdin..."

Animator Eric Goldberg conceived the Genie in Disney's "Aladdin" (1992) in the style of illustrator Al Hirschfeld. Hirschfeld's lines are typically flowing and smooth and this style blended well with Genie's many transformations. A few original drawings of the Genie by Supervising Animator Eric Goldberg are currently available on eBay. Two of them are left-facing profiles with different expressions. The first appears somewhat devious.

Eric Goldberg, Genie in Profile from Disney's "Aladdin"

http://www.ebay.com/itm/ERIC-GOLDBERG-ALADDIN-ANIMATOR-SIGNED-GENIE-SKETCH-DRAWING-w-PROOF-AUTOGRAPH-/321059796394?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4ac0a7b5aa 

Eric Goldberg

Another comes with a more excited expression.

Eric Goldberg, Genie in Profile from Disney's "Aladdin"

http://www.ebay.com/itm/ERIC-GOLDBERG-AUTO-ALADDIN-SIGNED-GENIE-SKETCH-ANIMATOR-DIREC-TOR-PSA-DNA-COA-/400307042574?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item5d3428b90e

Eric Goldberg is one of many animators who contributed work inspired by Searle to a fundraiser for the forthcoming "Searle in America" exhibition to be held later this year at the Cartoon Art Museum in San Francisco. How extraordinary, then, to discover this large pen-and-ink drawing of the Genie After "Aladdin..." executed in the style of Ronald Searle. Compared with the simple souvenir profiles of the Genie, it is a tour-de-force. Compared with the flowing lines of Hirschfeld, the lines are nervous and bold. So far, the price is quite reasonable. I don't know whether drawings of this caliber by Goldberg have appeared on the market in the past, but this is clearly a remarkable illustration of a sort not likely ever to be repeated.

It is a paradox that animators spend their days drawing, yet very little of their work comes to the market. The current eBay "Searle in America" sales offer the opportunity to bid on the finished work of dozens of today's foremost animators. It's my distinct impression that cartoonists inspired by Searle invariably create some of their best work.

Eric Goldberg, After "Aladdin..." in the manner of Ronald Searle

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Original-drawing-by-Eric-Goldberg-13-x-17-/271248966252?pt=Art_Drawings&hash=item3f27b2c26c

"Friend Like Me"

Robin Williams

Walt Disney's "Aladdin" (1992)

Eric Goldberg, After "Aladdin..." in the manner of Ronald Searle

http://ronaldsearleinamerica.blogspot.com/2013/07/eric-goldberg.html

August 5, 2013 Update: Sold!

Image added August 5, 2013

eBay Bid History

Image added July 31, 2016

August 13, 2014 Update: Actor Robin Williams, the voice of the Genie in Disney's "Aladdin," died Monday at age 63, a suicide. I saw him once in the spring of 2009 having dinner in a New York City restaurant. He was seated with perhaps seven others. Throughout the meal he was calm and reserved, a striking contrast with his antic public persona.


Note:  The eBay auction for Eric Goldberg's After "Aladdin..." is here.

All the items up for bidding to raise funds for the "Searle in America" exhibition can be seen here.

The Searle in America blog is here.

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