I still like the Charles R. Knight paintings but I think the real revolution in prehistoric imagery started with Burian. Compared to Knight, Burian's paintings are much more alive and believable. I don't think there's anybody (up until now) that has painted prehistoric mammal scenes better than him... Knight is too static (sometimes too 'pretty-posed' also) and Burian is all dynamism. I do have my reservations regarding the majority of Burian's dinosaurs though. I think there's a definitive contrast between the liveness and realism of the other animals he depicts (specially all mammals including prehistoric men) and the (sometimes) caricaturesque quality of his dinosaurs... they are definitively >less< believable as real, living animals. Burian shows that there was still a real problem in interpreting the dinosaurs and their anatomy in those times. But of course, the landscaping is still fabulous.
On 26 Aug 2006, at 19:56, Danvarner@aol.com wrote:
I believe the photos are frames from a film, which would be a wonderful thing to see, especially scenes of him actually painting. Knight is my favorite, of course, but Burian worked with a magic brush. He was fast and full of tricks. Just look at his trees and foliage. He's the one I'd like most to watch over his shoulder. DV
Luis Rey
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