Possible inspiration for the Tree of Woe

Art by BORIS VALLEJO in 1981.




Though Milius or any other never mention Vallejo as inspiration, didn't they?

It could be yeah, good find in any event. Boris did do some work on the CONAN film, a poster or two. I find much of his work a bit too homo-erotic though for my taste. It looks more like some twisted loving embrace of some kind, or a savage rape, lol. The dates are cutting it a lil too close as well, as it could be vice versa inspiration. This tree is anthropomorphic, the one in the film isnt, but Living trees are common in fantasy since the beginning though. The Tree of Woe or death was a pre-historic tree out in the middle of a desert to torture people.

Here's an old thread of mine which I thought inspired its conception--I was figuring it was some sortave bristlecone pine trees...which are thought to reach an age far greater than that of any other single living organism known, up to nearly 5,000 years.


https://conancompletist.forumactif.com/conan-the-barbarian-f3/real-life-tree-of-woe-t663.htm

Tree's were also used in real life, and perhaps were the more primitive varient.

Quote :

According to some, the custom of crucifixion in Ancient Rome may have developed out of a primitive custom of arbori suspendere, hanging on an arbor infelix (unfortunate tree) dedicated to the gods of the nether world. William Oldfather, however, wrote a detailed study refuting the idea that this punishment involved any form of hanging or was anything other than flogging to death, and the claim that the "arbor infelix" was dedicated to particular gods.[26] Tertullian mentions a first-century A.D. case in which trees were used for crucifixion,[27] but Seneca the Younger earlier used the phrase infelix lignum (unfortunate wood) for the transom ("patibulum") or the whole cross

Cromulus The Destroyer wrote:

It could be yeah, good find in any event. Boris did do some work on the CONAN film, a poster or two.

Oh really!? Are there any pics somewhere?

Cromulus The Destroyer wrote:

I find much of his work a bit too homo-erotic.

TRUE.

http://www.imaginistix.com/details.cfm?Id=600

Goddamit, even the title is "Fist of Power". LOL

Though he has some amazing art specially during the 60's and 70's, very well done imo. He was influenced by Frazetta and Dali. I think he knows his job. Sadly he turns less and less interesting as he allways do the same things and so. But there was great art there, anyway, and some amazingly erotic paintings of female nudes -I think some of the best female nudes ever in fantasy art. Also I love his Tarzan covers, more than the Conan ones -I don't specially like those-.

Cromulus The Destroyer wrote:

Here's an old thread of mine

Sure, I think you're right

Flaming Turd wrote:

Cromulus The Destroyer wrote:

It could be yeah, good find in any event. Boris did do some work on the CONAN film, a poster or two.

Oh really!? Are there any pics somewhere?

They're over in the poster section:



http://www.conancompletist.com/img/photos/affcouv/aff/aff03.jpg

http://www.conancompletist.com/img/photos/affcouv/aff/aff14.jpg

Were any of the Vallejo posters finally used? In any country?





I found this.

http://www.comicartfans.com/GalleryPiece.asp?Piece=155356&GSub=8684

What do you think? Is it real? It does look like a movie poster, as features little scenes besides the main one, something common in movie posters -not in book covers and so-. Also there's clearly some space above for some title. Though Conan could be any actor and Valeria doesn't really looks like Sandahl. There's some kind of horned helmet bad guy (Thulsa-Doom?) with a standart or something. And who is the old dude, looks like a druid or something, and apparently is friend of the heroes. Is the Wizard (Mako?) in early druidic version?

The sword of Conan looks like the Atlantean, not exact to Cobb's design but similar to the other Vallejo poster for the movie.


The Giant Snake/Set/Dragon was later re-used in this painting from 1984:

http://vallejo.ural.net/1983/show.php?010


These other paintings also look similar, and probably re-used the sketch.

1984:

http://vallejo.ural.net/1984/show.php?016

http://vallejo.ural.net/1984/show.php?011

1989:

http://vallejo.ural.net/1989/show.php?003

That could be from Universal Studios' CONAN show. The Dragon looks kinda like the one used there.

Hm, most probably, yeah. If i'm not wrong the snake throw fire and also Conan used a shield. What about the other characters, are they also similar to the show ones?

Probably yeah why not. As they were all dressed in generic fur speedos and boots with typical fantasy broad swords(supposedly made by Jody Samson too) and lots of steroids.

Yeah, it probably was for the show,








The female barbarianis also closer to the sketch than to Sandahl, at least in her clothes




the "bad guy" is close to the sketch of vallejo, horned helmet and same standart.











So, do you know if the real Vallejo poster for the Milius' movie was finally used, in some country?

Yeah. I got it. The TRUE inspiration for the TREE OF WOE scene.

Can you make out the year on this? 1970 right?


http://lh6.ggpht.com/_4TupfoQp4SU/Rhlov-6VxzI/AAAAAAAAAj4/w97B0Zc77Kk/Frank+Frazetta+-+Tree+of+Death.jpg

Can't see your pic, man

Try it now.

PS

Is it me or did Boris use the same hero character of Frazetta's?

Doesn't work either but maybe you talking about this one?

http://www.frazettaartgallery.com/gallery/prints/88_tree_of_death.jpeg

Yes that's 1970.


And yes they look the same though frazetta's one has turn back before the hidden priest started fucking his ass lol

Boris version, looks like he painted his own face on the male.

Most probably yeah, could be as he used himself as model. He and his wife (which was fucking hot some years back) were bodybuilders.

Yeah I remember now, some pics of Boris from the early 90's he had the long hair and surely all Steroided up.