The Estate of Josh Kirby announces that Kirby’s painting Frankenstein’s Monster — originally acquired by legendary horror collector Forrest J. Ackerman in 1976 — has been purchased by Netflix and the Oscar-winning producers of Guillermo del Toro’s films Frankenstein, Miles Dale and Pinocchio, Gary Ungar, together with del Toro’s agents and business manager Robert Newman, Harvey Gettleson, and George Hayum. The painting was presented to del Toro during the Oscars celebrations.
Originally in Ackerman’s personal collection, the painting is a carefully rendered portrait interpretation of Boris Karloff’s Frankenstein’s Monster — a figure that fascinated del Toro from the age of seven and helped ignite the artistic journey that ultimately culminated in his film Frankenstein, nominated for nine awards and winner of three at the 98th Academy Awards.
Del Toro was already a collector of Kirby’s work before the gift was made. Kirby’s Abominable Dr. Phibes, also formerly part of Ackerman’s collection, hung next to a giant Frankenstein head at Bleak House — del Toro’s renowned private creative workshop and home library in Los Angeles, filled with thousands of horror, fantasy, and science-fiction artifacts.
Renowned UK artist Josh Kirby painted book covers for authors including Ray Bradbury (Fahrenheit 451), Joseph Heller (Catch-22), Ian Fleming (Moonraker), Jack Kerouac, Robert Heinlein, Isaac Asimov, and Alfred Hitchcock. He is best known as the iconic cover artist for Sir Terry Pratchett’s Discworld books, the United Kingdom’s second best-selling series after Harry Potter. His film work included the UK posters for Return of the Jedi, Beastmaster, and Krull.
Kirby began his career as a portrait artist, and his ability to capture likeness became central to his later work in film and poster illustration. Frankenstein’s Monster reflects that same command of facial structure and emotional nuance — qualities that defined both his portrait training and his contributions to cinematic art and literature.
Forrest J. Ackerman, one of the most influential champions of science fiction and horror culture in the twentieth century, devoted his life to preserving the legacy of classic monster cinema. It was Ackerman who inspired del Toro to create Bleak House. The presentation of a painting from Ackerman’s personal collection to del Toro during Oscar celebrations creates a rare generational bridge between foundational horror fandom and contemporary filmmaking.
Amy Anderson of the Josh Kirby Estate said:
“Josh once said, ‘I like the idea of being part of a long-established tradition of science fiction and fantasy painters, partaking of a theme common to many civilizations, including myths and fairy tales.’ We are thrilled that a piece of Josh’s legacy is now in the keeping of del Toro, a modern-day master of imagination.”
Financial terms remain private.
To commemorate the occasion, the Estate has released a limited archival print edition, available here.
Kirby’s Frankenstein’s Monster, presented to Guillermo del Toro on the night of the 98th Academy Awards