The Grandfather of Modern Movie Posters
Sometimes you find your visual grandparents in unexpected places.
Bob Peak: The Grandfather of Modern Movie Posters
Renowned American illustrator Bob Peak (May 30, 1927 – August 1, 1992) revolutionized the world of commercial illustration. His big break came with the poster for the 1961 classic West Side Story, and from that moment on, his career skyrocketed, spanning more than 25 years.
During that time, Peak became Hollywood’s go-to artist, responsible for some of the most iconic film posters in cinema history. His work on Rollerball and Apocalypse Now not only defined the visual identity of those films but also helped reshape the entire genre of movie poster design.
For Star Trek fans, Peak's influence is unmistakable—he created the promotional artwork for all six original Star Trek movies, cementing his legacy in the sci-fi universe. His dynamic compositions, bold colors, and painterly approach became the gold standard for cinematic illustration.
A Visual Legacy
I grew up admiring artists like Chuck Jones, Maurice Noble, Ken Taylor, Bill Sienkiewicz, Kent Williams, Charles Anderson, House Industries, Sterling Hundly, Joe Sorren, and both Andrew and N.C. Wyeth.
But just as family trees extend beyond immediate relatives, so does your visual lineage. The artists who shaped my heroes became my creative "grandparents." Tracing these artistic influences is as rewarding as uncovering one’s ancestral roots. Each connection deepened my appreciation for the evolution of visual storytelling. This is where I found Bob Peak in my own artistic heritage.
Peak’s Most Recognizable Works
If you’re unfamiliar with Peak’s work, here are a few of his most celebrated works:
Here are some of my favorites.
Even this sketch for Apocolyps Now is delightful.
How did Bob Peak come to mind? I came across this gem in a Goodwill store in Virginia.
Peak’s Predecessors
Peak’s (May 30, 1927 – August 1, 1992) approach didn’t emerge in isolation. He built upon the work of earlier masters such as:
Alphonse Mucha (July 24, 1860 - July 14, 1939) – A pioneer of the Art Nouveau movement, influencing Peak’s sense of composition and elegance.
Mead Schaeffer (July 15, 1898 – November 6, 1980)– An adventure illustrator with a cinematic eye.
J.C. Leyendecker (March 23, 1874 – July 25, 1951) – Known for his work with The Saturday Evening Post and commercial advertising.
Norman Rockwell (February 3, 1894 – November 8, 1978) – A storyteller through illustration, shaping how narrative-driven images resonated with audiences.
Mucha, Leyendecker and Rockwell were all three artists that I remember finding and falling in love with early in my life. As I continued to dig a bit more, I found several artists I’d identified in my personal influences. Drew Struzan, Sterling Hundley and Kent Williams cited Peak as an influence in their work. Drew, Sterling and Kent are also names in my visual heritage family tree. I was fortunate enough to study under Kent for a semester during college, and it left a lasting impression on me. While in college, Drew movie posters hung around my dorm room, while I digested the images filling the pages of CA, How, and Print magazines with Sterling’s work.
The Outpost.
The folks over at Muddy Colors did a great “How To..” that they pulled from Step-by-Step Graphics magazine. Do yourself a favor and check out the rest of the site. There are some glorious gems in there.
Have you ever spent time constructing your Visual/artistic heritage? I’d love to know some of the artists in your family tree. Drop a comment with artists, poets, photographers, or anyone else who has helped shape your body of creative work.
Thanks for being here, and until next time...Be Curious. Stay Wild.
- Doc