Bonestellian adj.

of, relating to, or characteristic of the art of Chesley Bonestell, esp. in featuring accurate depictions of astronomical objects

SF Criticism

  • 1953 F. J. Ackerman Scientifilm Previews in Nebula Science Fiction (#3) Summer 114/2 page image Forrest J. Ackerman

    As these Wellsian words are being spoken, we fans get a visual bonus by way of a series of Bonestellian models and painting montages, virtually an advance sampling of Palโ€™s next production, THE CONQUEST OF SPACE, as we are transported by the consummate artistry of Mr. B. to the distant, frozen wastes of Pluto, the scintillant rings of Saturn, the molten surface of Mercury, and the red and dying planet Mars itself, with its thin, cold winds keening over the symmetrical canals.

  • 1954 F. J. Ackerman Scientifilm Parade in Spaceway Feb. 106 page image Forrest J. Ackerman

    We are treated to a Bonestellian tour of the solar system with thrilling views of Saturn, Mercury, Jupiter, et al!

  • 1979 D. Dixon Secrets of a Space Artist in Starlog (#29) Sept. 63/3 page image Don Dixon

    My original moonlike landscape seems rather boring now, so Iโ€™ve decided to build some nice Bonestellian peaks in the background.

  • 1980 T. Stratton Star Laden Trek to a Black Wormhole in Yandro Jan. 13/1 page image

    It was a sort of technicolor KING DINOSAUR crossed with THE LOVE BUG, all played out against some beautiful Bonestellian backgrounds.

  • 1988 D. Schweitzer Books in Aboriginal Science Fiction Mar.โ€“Apr. 18/3 page image Darrell Schweitzer

    The art itself is splendid, in the finest Bonestellian tradition of astronomical art.

  • 2000 J. Rovin SF Cinema in Science Fiction Chronicle Oct.โ€“Nov. 52/1 Jeff Rovin

    But this is the way we wanted space travel to be: a spaceport (in 1970), a space station, and Bonestellian rockets.

  • 2019 Chesley Bonestell: A Brush with the Future in Ad Astra (#2) Spring 41/3 page image

    Trumbull argued for the latter, but Kubrick insisted that his Moon scenes should be โ€˜Bonestellianโ€™.


Research requirements

antedating 1953

Earliest cite

F. J. Ackerman

Research History
Suggested, and most cites submitted by, Bill Mullins

Last modified 2021-08-10 13:46:20
In the compilation of some entries, HDSF has drawn extensively on corresponding entries in OED.