Animator Eric Goldberg conceived the Genie in Disney's "Aladdin" (1992) in the style of illustrator Al Hirschfeld. Hirschfeld's lines are typically flowing and smooth and this style blended well with Genie's many transformations. A few original drawings of the Genie by Supervising Animator Eric Goldberg are currently available on eBay. Two of them are left-facing profiles with different expressions. The first appears somewhat devious.
Eric Goldberg, Genie in Profile from Disney's "Aladdin"
Eric Goldberg is one of many animators who contributed work inspired by Searle to a fundraiser for the forthcoming "Searle in America" exhibition to be held later this year at the Cartoon Art Museum in San Francisco. How extraordinary, then, to discover this large pen-and-ink drawing of the Genie After "Aladdin..." executed in the style of Ronald Searle. Compared with the simple souvenir profiles of the Genie, it is a tour-de-force. Compared with the flowing lines of Hirschfeld, the lines are nervous and bold. So far, the price is quite reasonable. I don't know whether drawings of this caliber by Goldberg have appeared on the market in the past, but this is clearly a remarkable illustration of a sort not likely ever to be repeated.
It is a paradox that animators spend their days drawing, yet very little of their work comes to the market. The current eBay "Searle in America" sales offer the opportunity to bid on the finished work of dozens of today's foremost animators. It's my distinct impression that cartoonists inspired by Searle invariably create some of their best work.
Eric Goldberg,After "Aladdin..." in the Manner of Ronald Searle