ILLUSTRATION

An 8-legged Martian lion bears its fangs as Thuvia leans against it with hands in its mane. Both of their backs are turned but their faces can be seen in profile as the body of the beast curls around her. She wears only a lavender thong. Thin beaded chains hold the dagger at her hip. Ornate bands contrast the tan skin on her upper arm. In the background, two marbleized moons hang over a beautiful Martian city with elegant spires. A stylized eye marks the outer wall. The landscape is mostly barren. Painted in earthy tones, the land blends with the sky and eventually fades to a gradient of purple night punctuated by stars.
  • Acrylic and Gouache on Illustration Board - 20" x 25"
    1979

THUVIA, MAID OF MARS

Another cover from The Martian Tales by Edgar Rice Burroughs. "I had to be careful doing Thuvia herself, as everyone on Barsoom goes nude, and yet full-frontal nudity was unacceptable for the cover. By turning her away from the viewer, I thought I had this problem solved, but Lester Del Rey had me add the G-string. The rest of the painting is in acrylics, but I did that G-string in gouache in case I ever get the urge to wipe it off."
ORIGINAL - NFS
  • Thuvia, Maid of Mars
    E.R. Burroughs (Del Rey)

  • Mars has become divided by love. Not one, but two princes and a Jeddak are vying for the love of Thuvia of Ptarth. When she is mysteriously kidnapped, treachery threatens to throw Barsoom into bloody war.

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