Raiders of The Lost Ark (1981)
Original Photo Still.
This original concept art still by Jim Steranko highlights the graphic, mythic foundations behind Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981), a film that redefined the action-adventure genre. Steranko’s influence, rooted in pulp comics, classic serials, and bold modern illustration, helped shape Indiana Jones as an instantly iconic hero. His designs translated archetypal adventure imagery into a cinematic language that felt timeless yet electrifying, reinforcing Raiders as a bridge between old-school storytelling and contemporary blockbuster filmmaking.
The artwork captures Indiana Jones poised in an Inca ruin, revolver in hand, confronting a rearing cobra amid stone carvings and creeping vines. Steranko’s composition emphasises tension and immediacy: Indy’s wary stance contrasts with the sinuous menace of the serpent, while fractured masonry and dense foliage frame the encounter. Rich textures and dramatic colour deepen the sense of danger and discovery. As a concept piece, it distils the essence of Raiders, a lone adventurer facing primal threats in forgotten worlds, into a single, vividly charged image.
- Year: 1981
- Size: 8 X 10 Inches
- Condition: Unframed
- Product Code: T6442
