HEAT VISION

Original 'E.T.' Artwork Auctioned for Nearly $400,000

by Aaron Couch
E.T. - Artwork - P - 2016
Heritage Auctions
Late artist John Alvin created the work, using his daughter's hand as a model.

One movie fanatic was clearly touched by E.T: The Extra Terrestrial.

Original artwork for the iconic movie poster was sold for $394,000 during an auction held by Heritage Auctions Wednesday. The poster measures 41 by 27-1/2-inches and is signed by the late artist John Alvin, who also designed art for hits such as Blade Runner, The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast and The Lion King. He died in 2008. 

Alvin used his daughter's hands as a model and was inspired by the Michelangelo work "The Creation of Adam." The painting went on to be the basis for 35 years of posters, merchandise, as well as VHS and DVD boxes covers for E.T.,  and for the last 13 years it has been owned by writer and producer Bob Bendetson, who hung it on his office wall.

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"Every time my son’s or daughter’s friends would see the painting they’d stand in front of it with their fingers touching in the same way," Bendetson said in a statement.

The new owner of the art wished to remain anonymous.

E.T., the story of friendship between a lost alien and a young boy (Henry Thomas), was directed by Steven Spielberg and was released in 1982. It was a massive commercial and critical hit, grossing $792.9 million worldwide. 

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