THE NEW YORK NATIVE WENT FROM ILLUSTRATING ACTION-PACKED SCENES FOR ADVENTURE MAGAZINES TO BECOMING ONE OF THE MOST RESPECTED ARTISTS OF AMERICAN HISTORY
By Aviva Lehmann
On February 2, the art world lost one of its great visual storytellers. Mort Künstler, a man of remarkable talent and boundless curiosity, passed away at the age of 97. Known for his breathtaking historical paintings and dynamic adventure illustrations, Mort was more than just an artist – he was a force of nature, a keen observer of humanity and, above all, a dear friend.
Born in 1927, Mort displayed an early aptitude for both athletics and art. While attending Pratt Institute in New York, he became a rare four-letter athlete, excelling in baseball, basketball, football and track – a testament to the same discipline, precision and relentless spirit that would later define his career.
Künstler’s ‘Thunder in the Valley’ from 1992 depicts the Battle of New Market, which took place in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley in 1864.
Mort’s artistic journey began in commercial illustration, where he quickly became one of the most sought-after talents of his time. His ability to inject drama and authenticity into his work led him to collaborate with some of the greatest writers and filmmakers of the 20th century, including The Godfather’s Mario Puzo. These partnerships were a testament to his ability to translate narrative into compelling visual form, making stories come alive in ways that words alone could not.
In the 1950s and ’60s, Mort became one of the leading illustrators of men’s adventure magazines, crafting pulse-pounding images of survival, espionage and war. His illustrations, filled with movement and raw emotion, helped define the genre. It has been one of the great honors of my career to work with Mort and bring many of these works to collectors who appreciate his incredible artistry.
Künstler made this painting for the movie poster for 1972’s ‘The Poseidon Adventure.’
But Mort’s true artistic calling emerged in the latter half of his career when he turned his focus to historical subjects, particularly the American Civil War. His meticulous research, combined with his unparalleled sense of composition, resulted in paintings that not only depicted history but also illuminated it. His Civil War works are now considered definitive, bringing moments from the battlefield to life with an immediacy and intensity that few artists have ever achieved.
Mort’s versatility as an artist was astonishing. While he is best known for his historical paintings, he also dabbled in science fiction and fantasy, creating stunning space-themed works that captured the imagination. In fact, one of his space paintings set the auction record for his work at Heritage Auctions – another reminder of how deeply his art resonates with collectors.
In 1979, Künstler was commissioned to create a series of paintings documenting the construction, launch and landing of the space shuttle Columbia. His ‘Launch of the Space Shuttle Columbia, April 12, 1981, 7:00:10 EST from John F. Kennedy Space Center, Florida,’ which realized $125,000 in a November 2016 Heritage auction, was previously exhibited at the California Science Center in Los Angeles.
And then, of course, there was his mischievous side. Under the pseudonym “Mutz,” Mort created one of Mad magazine’s most famous covers – the unforgettable image of a shark bursting through the cover itself. This playful, unexpected side of Mort revealed his sense of humor and his willingness to experiment outside the realms of serious historical narrative.
Beyond his artistic genius, Mort was a man who understood the value of discipline, perseverance and storytelling. In the many years I spent working with him, I learned not just about art but also about life. I will never forget Mort telling me once: “If you do what you love, then you never have to work a day in your life. I never ‘worked’ a day in my entire life!” He approached his work with the same dedication he had as a four-letter athlete at Pratt – giving it everything he had every single time, and he did so with joy, perseverance and a boyish approach that kept me wondering if Mort would live forever. He taught me that great art is not just about technical skill but also about seeing the world deeply and sharing that vision with others.
Künstler’s illustration work for men’s adventure magazines included pieces like ‘I Fought the Sea Killer,’ which he created for the cover of the August 1956 issue of ‘Adventure’ magazine.
Mort lived with integrity, kindness and an unwavering commitment to his craft. He never stopped learning, never stopped pushing himself and never lost his infectious enthusiasm for his work and his family. That is the kind of legacy any artist – or any person – would be proud to leave behind.
AVIVA LEHMANN is Senior Vice President of American Art at Heritage Auctions.