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Monday, January 14, 2019

Original Production Animation Drawing of Pocahontas from "Pocahontas," 1995


Original production animation drawing of Pocahontas in graphite and red pencils from "Pocahontas," 1995, Walt Disney Studios; Numbered P37 lower right; Animation ladder upper right; Size - Pocahontas: 6 1/4 x 5 1/2", Sheet 12 1/2 x 17"; Unframed.


"Can you sing with all the voices of the mountain? Can you paint with all the colors of the wind?" - Pocahontas

"Pocahontas" 1995 is an animated musical drama and the 33rd full length feature film produced by Walt Disney, and it was released on June 23, 1995 by Buena Vista Pictures. The film was loosely based on the life of the Native American woman Pocahontas and portrays a fictionalized historical encounter with the Englishman John Smith and the settlers of Jamestown. The film was directed by Mike Gabriel and Eric Goldberg, musical score by Alan Menken, songs by Stephe Schwartz, and stars Irene Bedard as the voice of Pocahontas and Mel Gibson and the voice of John Smith. Supporting casts includes David Ogden Stiers, Russell Means, Christian Bale, Billy Connolly, and Linda Hunt.


Close up of the original production animation drawing of Pocahontas.

Pocahontas is the only Disney protagonist to be based on an actual historical figure, rather than a traditional fairy tole or folktale. She is also the only Disney Princess to have a tattoo, which is located around her right bicep. Pocahontas was designed by Glen Keane, who also served as lead animator, and the character was modeled after her Native American voice actress Irene Bedard (along with the historical Pocahontas as well as super models Naomi Campbell and Christy Turlington). Judy Kuhn provided Pocahontas's singing voice. It is interesting to note that Bedard would go on to portray Pocahontas's mother in the New Line Cinema 2005 film, "The New World."

The stand out scene of the film is when Pocahontas sings "Colors of the Wind;" which explains to one of the new settlers, John Smith, the beauty and importance of the nature and how to show respect for the planet. "Colors of the Wind" was composed by Alan Menken with lyrics by Stephen Schwartz and won the 1995 Oscar for Best Original Song, a Golden Globe in the same category, and the Grammy Award for Best Song Written for a Movie. The song is absolutely beautiful and represents the Native American viewpoint that the Earth is a living entity, and that mankind is connected to everything in nature. Due to the the song's popularity, many versions exist, it has been covered by multiple artists, and translated into many languages.

This is an absolutely perfect original production animation drawing of Pocahontas from the highlight of the film, when she is singing the Grammy Award winning "Color of the Wind." She stands over six inches tall, her hands and arms are outstretched, and her hair and the bottom of her dress are being blown around by the red pencil drawn wind. A beautiful piece and a great addition to any animation art collection!

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