Original Prince sketch of concept artwork for the front cover of the 1996 triple-album Emancipation. Accomplished in black felt tip and purple ink on a yellow 8.5 x 11 sheet of notebook paper, Prince draws the outline of a CD case and adds a 'love symbol' and "New World" logo to its upper portion, and then, along the bottom, a rising sun, a winding river or road, and another 'love symbol.' Prince writes a question above the sketch in felt tip: "Could we see one like this?" In fine condition, with a central horizontal fold, scattered creasing, and a trimmed bottom edge. From the collection of artist/art director Michael Van Huffel and accompanied by a letter of provenance. Prince personally drew this album artwork as an early conceptual guideline for Michael Van Huffel, a key member of the art department at both Paisley Park and NPG Records. While the sketch is quick and not entirely easy to decipher, Van Huffel’s final version for Emancipation, in keeping with the original ‘symbol’ and ‘new world’ motif, clearly symbolizes Prince’s freedom from his 18-year contract with Warner Bros. Records.
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