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Writer's picture Untitled Art Gallery

Original Production Animation Drawing of Quasimodo from "The Hunchback of Notre Dame" 1996


Original Production Animation Drawing of Quasimodo from "The Hunchback of Notre Dame" 1996
Original Production Animation Drawing of Quasimodo from "The Hunchback of Notre Dame" 1996

Original production animation drawing of Quasimodo in red and graphite pencils and used during the production of "The Hunchback of Notre Dame" 1996, Walt Disney Studios; Production numbers lower sheet edge; Numbered Q29 in red pencil lower right; Animation ladder upper right; Size - Quasimodo: 7 x 6 3/4", Sheet 10 1/2 x 12 1/2"; Unframed.


"...Up there, high, high in the dark bell tower lives the mysterious bell ringer. Who is this creature? What is he? How did he come to be there?" - Clopin


"The Hunchback of Notre Dame" 1996 is an animated musical drama and the 34th full length feature film produced by Walt Disney, and it was released on June 21, 1996 by Buena Vista Pictures. The film was based on the novel of the same name written by Victor Hugo. The story centers around Quasimodo, the deformed bell-ringer of Notre Dame cathedral, and his struggle to gain acceptance into Parisian society. The film was directed by Kirk Wise and Gary Trousdale, music by Alan Menken, songs by Menken and Stephen Schwartz, and stars Tom Hulce as the voice of Quasimodo and Demi Moore as the voice of Esmeralda. Supporting casts includes Tony Jay, Kevin Kline, Paul Kandel, Jason Alexander, Charles Kimbrough, David Ogden Stiers, and Mary Wickes in her final film role. "The Hunchback of Notre Dame" was a commercial success and grossed over $325 million worldwide, becoming the fifth highest-grossing release of 1996. The film received Academy Award and Golden Globe Award nominations for Menken's musical score.


Close up of the original production animation drawing of Quasimodo.
Close up of the original production animation drawing of Quasimodo.

Quasimodo supervising animator was James Baxter. Baxter had worked previously on "Who Framed Roger Rabbit?' and had assisted in animating Ariel for "The Little Mermaid." He became the supervising animator of Rafiki in "The Lion King" and then the youngest (age 23) Disney supervising animator of a major character when he animated Belle in "Beauty and the Beast." Very few people in history have advanced so quickly and Baxter is an expert in both the technical and artistic aspects of animation. By the time he was in charge of Quasimodo, Baxter had become an extremely skilled and master animator, and his abilities really shine through the character.


Tom Hulce (an American actor, singer, and producer most known for his Academy Award nominated portrayal of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart in "Amadeus," 1984) provided the voice of Quasimodo and it was his final theatrical performance before retiring from acting. The character was the third Disney male protagonist to have a single voice actor for both the speaking and singing voices; the others being Beast from "Beauty and the Beast" and John Smith from "Pocahontas."


This is a rare and absolutely spectacular original production animation drawing of Quasimodo from the end of the "Topsy Turvy" song sequence. The song was led by Clopin, who is the host of the Festival of Fools event, and at the end of the performance Quasimodo is crowned the King of Fools. In this drawing Quasimodo is eyes and mouth open, wearing the crown, king's robe, and holding the royal sceptre in his right hand. A perfect image and a great addition to any animation art collection!


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