Barks's Disney paintings, inspired or custum-ordered?

[Daniel van Eijmeren]

KATIE SULLIVAN to LARS JENSEN, 10-09-2003

> It was always my assumption that most of Bark's paintings (but 
> not all) were done based on his own ideas and inspirations rather 
> than custom-ordered by fans.

I think it's a combination of both, just like most of his other work. 

In the BarksBase, Gerd Syllwasschi mentions under Barks's Disney 
painting "Pleasure in the Treasure" (2-72): "For the first time, 
Barks was free to choose the subject himself."
http://www.barksbase.de/english/h/7202.htm
I don't know where this information comes from, though.

There are two earlier paintings which seem to have a new concept, 
instead of an existant cover design:

"Blue Composition of Ducks" (21-71)
http://www.barksbase.de/english/h/7121.htm

"Christmas Composition" (1-72)
http://www.barksbase.de/english/h/7201.htm

If Gerd's information is right, then the subjects of these earlier 
paintings seem to have been ordered by customers. Still, as far as 
I know, the scenes of these paintings were designed/staged by Barks 
himself. So, maybe that's the relatively small difference between a 
free subject and a commissioned subject.

For a commisioned subject, Barks (apparently) got some initial 
directions from the custumor. 

For a free subject, Barks (apparently) got no directions at all. 
This would make him free to do whatever he wished, as long as the 
painting contained Ducks and an commercially interesting image.

Please notice that I'm just GUESSING.

> (My website is down right now...I don't know why.)  :(

Cheer it up, then! :-)

--- Daniël

"Hey! Somethin's makin' SENSE!"
Which Barks story?

Hint #1: "Scram! Do you think you WORK here?"
Hint #2: "It looks VALUABLE! If it were only yours -"
Hint #3: "A little AIRING won't hurt this antique charm!"