R.I.P., Tim Hildebrandt

[eldritchhobbit]

Fantasy artist Tim Hildebrandt died yesterday, June 11, 2006, at the age of 67, of complications due to diabetes. He was best known as part of the Brothers Hildebrandt team along with his twin brother Greg; their works included numerous pieces based on J.R.R. Tolkien's Middle-Earth fiction, and the Marvel and Harry Potter universes, as well as the original Star Wars poster.

(Those of you who have received snailmail from me may have noticed that I often use official return address labels with the Hildebrandt Brothers' Lord of the Rings art.)

Visit the Official Brothers Hildebrandt site and see the online art galleries.

Visit Greg Hildebrandt's personal site for a notice of the death and family photos.


In honor of Tim Hildebrandt, the quote of the day is "Bilbo's Last Song" by J.R.R. Tolkien:



Day is ended, dim my eyes,
but journey long before me lies.
Farewell, friends! I hear the call.
The ship’s beside the stony wall.
Foam is white and waves are grey;
beyond the sunset leads my way.
Foam is salt, the wind is free;
I hear the rising of the Sea.

Farewell, friends! The sails are set,
the wind is east, the moorings fret.
Shadows long before me lie,
beneath the ever-bending sky,
but islands lie behind the Sun
that I shall raise ere all is done;
lands there are to west of West,
where night is quiet and sleep is rest.

Guided by the Lonely Star,
beyond the utmost harbour-bar,
I’ll find the heavens fair and free,
and beaches of the Starlit Sea.
Ship, my ship! I seek the West,
and fields and mountains ever blest.
Farewell to Middle-earth at last.
I see the Star above my mast!

- "Bilbo's Last Song," J.R.R. Tolkien

Comments

[estellye.livejournal.com]

You have absolutely no idea how sad this makes me. I don't think I would be an artist if I hadn't been so fascinated by the Hildebrandt's fantasy art when I was small that I wanted to copy it. I was also fascinated by their story and I write about twins a lot largely because of their relationship. I just love that photograph of the two of them with their foreheads and noses pressed together. I can almost hear them laughing psychically, lol.

An incedible loss for his family (poor Greg), a sad loss for fantasy fans, and a very sad loss for me. I appreciate you passing along this news.

[eldritchhobbit.livejournal.com]

*huge hugs*

I just love that photograph of the two of them with their foreheads and noses pressed together.

Isn't it amazing? The drawings Greg made (at the bottom of the page) in memory just broke my heart. What an amazing set of brothers.

I'm sorry for passing along the news. As they say in Star Trek, "I grieve with thee."

[serpentcoils.livejournal.com]

:( i have all these amazing trading card collections by him and greg. stunning art, and there was always a little blurb on the back about how they went about painting each one, any symbolism and whatnot. very lovely.

[eldritchhobbit.livejournal.com]

The cards sound gorgeous! I have one of their art books, where they also talk about the process and symbolism behind each work. It's humbling to imagine all of the thought and care behind each of their works. A sad loss, indeed! *hugs*

[syredronning.livejournal.com]

I didn't know anything about the artist(s) before seeing your link, but woah, what an art! And what a loss to the world.

[eldritchhobbit.livejournal.com]

They did amazing work, didn't they? In so many different universes, as well. A loss, indeed. :( Thanks for your reply!

[dodger-winslow.livejournal.com]

Oh, this is a shame. The Hildebrandt Bros are fathers of the movement. :(

[eldritchhobbit.livejournal.com]

You said it! :(

That's very sad.........

[dracschick.livejournal.com]

I enjoyed his art:(

Re: That's very sad.........

[eldritchhobbit.livejournal.com]

So did I. Very sad, indeed. :( Thanks for your reply.

[agentxpndble.livejournal.com]

Oh, dear... The tribute page made me cry (those superman sketches at the end... Gah!)

Mostly, I'm familiar with Greg Hildebrandt's pin-up work, but browsing through the art gallery I see so many familiar pieces... What a sad, sad loss.

[eldritchhobbit.livejournal.com]

Isn't the tribute page heartbreaking? A sad loss, indeed.

[sneezythesquid.livejournal.com]

*moment of silence*

[eldritchhobbit.livejournal.com]

*joins you*

[wellinghall.livejournal.com]

That's sad news. Thanks for letting us know, eldritchhobbit.

[eldritchhobbit.livejournal.com]

You're most welcome. Sad news, indeed. :(