Melvyn Grant (b. 1944)
Red Mars
signed and dated 'Mel © 1992' (lower right)
oil on board
10 x 28.7/9in. (25.5 x 73cm.)
painted in 1992

The original dust-jacket artwork for the first edition of Kim Stanley Robinson's seminal science-fiction work Red Mars.

Published by Harper Collins, the novel chronicles the colonization and terraforming of Mars. The story follows the first 100 settlers, known as the First Hundred, as they embark on an ambitious project to transform the Red Planet into a habitable world. Exploring profound themes from ecological sustainability to socio-political dynamics, the novel garnered critical acclaim, winning the prestigious Nebula Award for Best Novel and being nominated for the Hugo Award in the same year.

Grant effectively captures the essence of the Martian landscape and the complexities of human colonization in this artwork commissioned for the cover of Robinson's novel. A notable figure in science fiction and fantasy art, Grant is recognized for his intricate and highly imaginative artwork that has contributed to the visual identity of speculative fiction literature and his work is often associated with notable book covers, such as for the Fighting Fantasy series and for science fiction and horror novels by authors like Isaac Asimov and Stephen King. In addition to book covers, Grant is also known for his association with the iconic heavy metal band Iron Maiden, for whom he created album art that often incorporates science fiction and fantasy motifs, as seen in the album cover for Fear of the Dark.

Acquired from the artist by the present owner.