Four original conceptual sketches by Eric Clapton for the front and back covers of his 13th solo studio album, Pilgrim, which was released by Reprise Records on March 10, 1998. The concept drawings are accomplished in felt tip on four off-white sheets of 8.5 x 11.5 notebook paper, which includes two front cover designs and two back cover designs. The front cover examples—one in black-and-white, the other with color—both show the upper portion of a man’s head, half-submerged in water, with his eyes closed, above the album title, “Pilgrim.” The color version shows the man’s flesh-tone skin, a yellow moon/sun, a bright blue sky, and a dark blue sea/ocean. The black-and-white version features Clapton’s handwritten notations regarding the cover’s coloring and placement: “Dark turquoise,” “Yellow,” “Pink,” “Light turquoise?,” “Shift to centre,” and “black lining.” The two back cover examples are both in color with bright blue skies and dark blue water, with one also featuring the sun/moon object and apparent ripple effects in the water. In overall fine condition. Accompanied by a certificate of authenticity from Tracks.
To bring these sketches to fruition, Clapton reached out to renowned Japanese manga artist Yoshiyuki Sadamoto, whom Clapton had discovered through his 1993 artbook, ALPHA. When Sadamoto agreed to the commission, Clapton forwarded his ideas and sketches for the cover design. An included CD copy of Pilgrimage shows Sadamoto’s final design and artwork.
Once the album was completed, Clapton’s original hand-drawn conceptual artwork was forwarded to graphic designer Bogdan Zarkowski. Zarkowski, who was working on the design for the 1999 Pilgrim world tour program, cleverly and stylishly integrated the sketches into the program’s final design. A copy of the 1999 Japan Tour program is included.
Originates from the estate of graphic designer Bogdan Zarkowski, who worked on various projects for Clapton, such as concert programs and album sleeves.
