In the basement of the Bess Bower Dunn Museum of Lake County, exhibitions and collections manager Steve Furnett lifted a large sheet of paper, revealing a painting of a man in a billowing red cape with his arms crossed, preparing some kind of enchantment or spell as he stares with a piercing blue eye at the viewer.
Furnett pointed at the highlights on the man’s cape, in awe at the skill of the painter who managed to convey its silken texture with just brushstrokes.
This is no Rembrandt or Vermeer, however, and the subject is no long-dead royal. It’s a painting of Marvel superhero Dr. Strange by renowned comic artist Alex Ross, whose works will be exhibited at the Dunn Museum starting in late June.
Ross is well known in the comic book world for his highly detailed, realistic paintings of superheroes. His work was previously on display at the Dunn Museum in 2019. The new exhibit, “Alex Ross: Heroes & Villains,” will feature 100 portraits of superheroes and villains in a new 3,000-square-foot gallery. Three new portraits will also be unveiled during the opening.
For Furnett, a lifelong comic book fan, getting to work with the “Norman Rockwell of the comic book world” and see the original paintings has been a thrilling experience. He marveled at the level of detail in the artworks, and how Ross portrays different fabrics, materials and textures with his brush.
“He took this flat, 2D flat-outline comic style and used a classic American illustration style,” Furnett said. “It really brings the characters to life. It’s what sets him apart from everybody else.”
Although Ross isn’t from Lake County, he lives in the Chicago area. In a press release, he said he is “thrilled” to have his works return to the museum.
“To see so many of my original paintings on display all in one place is very special. It gives me a new perspective on the breadth of my work and I hope visitors enjoy the experience,” Ross said.
The exhibition will open on June 29 and remain open until February of next year. A ticketed kickoff event is planned for the evening of June 28 from 5 to 8 p.m. — “A Night with Alex Ross, which will include a private preview of the exhibition.
While such an exhibit might seem unusual for the Dunn Museum, which usually focuses on the natural world, Alyssa Firkus, director of education, said it is an important part of bringing in the community to show what they do.
“This is a gateway. This is an entranceway. This is going to get people through the door that maybe an oak tree might not,” Firkus said. “They can learn a little bit more about who we are and what we do.”
Access to this special exhibition requires an additional admission fee, with tickets available at the door.
