The First Splashdown ~ Jules Verne

Title: The First Splashdown ~ Jules Verne

Artist: Don Gillespie

Medium: Oil on canvas, 23”x19” (2023)

Description: This painting is part of a series Don created that are inspired by the remarkable predictions of visionary author Jules Verne. It illustrates one of his imagined concepts — a spacecraft splashdown. In his 1865 novel ‘From the Earth to the Moon’ and its 1870 sequel ‘Around the Moon’, Verne described a manned mission that launched from Florida and ended with a splashdown in the Pacific Ocean — an idea that foreshadowed real-life space missions a century later.

The 1865 Jules Verne novel, “From the Earth to the Moon,” and his 1869 sequel, “All Around the Moon” made incredible predictions about the future of space travel.  Verne chose Tampa Town as the location to launch his imaginary capsule with three men from Florida to orbit the Moon and splash down in the ocean. These novels served as the basis for the 1902 film, “A Trip to the Moon.”

Science fiction writers like Verne helped us visualize future possibilities. As a result, science fact has been realized as scientists inspired by these works of science fiction led them to develop rockets that eventually made the vision a reality.  Don’s piece The First Splashdown is one in a series of his paintings that artistically share the fantastical Verne story. @cloningneptune

About the Artist: For over four decades, Don Gillespie's visionary art has captured humanity's enduring desire to reach beyond the known. His work, exhibited at NASA, the Department of Defense, and in collections worldwide, blends technical precision with vivid imagery, inspiring our collective passion to explore.

Price:  $8,000