In a moment that perfectly bridges heavy metal's dark fantasy roots with the high-stakes world of fine art collecting, Metallica lead guitarist Kirk Hammett announced in November 2025 that he is parting with one of the crown jewels of his renowned horror and fantasy art collection: Frank Frazetta's iconic Conan the Conqueror (Berserker), painted in 1967. The monumental oil on canvas, depicting Conan in full savage glory—muscular frame raging against a horde of enemies under a blood-red sky—carries an asking price in the $10–15 million range and will headline Heritage Auctions' December 2025 Illustration Art sale.
For decades, Hammett has been one of the most visible rock star art collectors, amassing hundreds of pieces that span vintage horror movie posters, EC Comics originals, and—most famously—works by the undisputed master of fantasy illustration, Frank Frazetta. The guitarist's passion for Frazetta runs so deep that he once inspired Metallica's album artwork aesthetic and even led to Hammett publishing the 2012 book Too Much Horror Business, a coffee-table tome showcasing his monster memorabilia. But nothing in his collection carries the mythic weight of this particular Conan painting.
The Painting That Defined an Era
Created in 1967 for the cover of Lancer Books' paperback reissue of Robert E. Howard's Conan the Adventurer, this canvas is pure Frazetta at his peak. The barbarian stands triumphant atop a pile of fallen foes, sword raised, horned helmet gleaming, cape billowing, while demonic creatures and defeated warriors litter the foreground. The composition's raw power, dramatic lighting, and eroticized muscularity became the definitive visual template for Conan—far more influential than any previous or subsequent interpretation, including the 1982 Arnold Schwarzenegger film posters that consciously channeled Frazetta's vision.
Frazetta himself considered the Conan series among his finest work. In interviews later in life, he said the character allowed him to unleash "the beast inside every man." The paintings exploded in popularity during the 1960s–70s sword-and-sorcery boom, directly inspiring generations of artists, filmmakers (George Lucas cited Frazetta as a key influence on Star Wars concept art), and musicians. Heavy metal owes an enormous debt—album covers for Molly Hatchet, Dust, and even early concept work for Metallica all bear his unmistakable DNA.
How Kirk Hammett Came to Own a Holy Grail
Hammett has been open about discovering Frazetta as a teenager in the 1970s, poring over those same Lancer paperbacks in Bay Area bookstores. "Frank Frazetta was my Michelangelo," he told Rolling Stone in 2012. "His paintings made me feel power, danger, sex, mystery—all the things I wanted metal to feel like."
He began seriously collecting in the 1990s as Metallica's success grew, snapping up movie posters (Creature from the Black Lagoon, The Mole People) and comic art before graduating to Frazetta originals. The Conan painting came into his possession in the early 2000s through a private sale arranged by Frazetta's family business—reportedly for a then-record sum in seven figures. Hammett has displayed it prominently in his home ever since, and famously brought it to Conan (the late-night show) in 2018, where he and Conan O'Brien geeked out over its details on national television.
That appearance went viral among both metal and art circles, with Hammett carefully holding the canvas while explaining Frazetta's brush techniques and the painting's cultural impact. "This is the one," he said on air. "This is the Conan."
Why Sell Now?
Sources close to the guitarist say the decision is bittersweet but deliberate. At 62, Hammett is increasingly focused on legacy projects—including expanding the scope of his annual horror convention Kirk Von Hammett's Fear FestEvil and curating museum exhibitions of his collection. Several Frazetta pieces from his holdings have already toured institutions like the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
More importantly, the fantasy art market has absolutely exploded since 2020. Frazetta originals that once traded quietly in the $500,000–$2 million range now routinely shatter records:
- Death Dealer (1973) sold for $1.79 million in 2018
- Princess of Mars fetched $5.4 million in 2020
- Another major Conan painting hit $13.8 million equivalent in private sale rumors last year
With the illustration art sector up 340% in five years according to Artnet, Hammett's timing is impeccable. Heritage Auctions confirmed the painting will be the centerpiece of their December 11, 2025, sale in Dallas, with global touring previews in New York, Los Angeles, and London.
The Broader Impact on Music and Art Crossover
Hammett's collection—and now this sale—continues to highlight the deep connection between heavy metal and fantasy/horror illustration. James Hetfield's werewolf obsession, Slayer's Hell Awaits artwork, Iron Maiden's Eddie all trace lineage back to Frazetta, Boris Vallejo, and the Warren magazines (Creepy, Eerie, Vampirella).
Younger bands like Power Trip, Gatecreeper, and Spirit Adrift openly cite Frazetta as visual north stars. The auction will almost certainly set another benchmark, further legitimizing fantasy illustration as serious fine art rather than mere commercial work.
What Happens Next for the Painting?
Whoever acquires Conan the Conqueror will own not just a painting but a cultural artifact—the single most recognizable image of the world's first sword-and-sorcery hero. Likely destinations include a major museum acquisition (the Frazetta Art Museum in Pennsylvania has expressed interest in past works) or a tech billionaire adding to their growing fantasy art holdings (think Yusaku Maezawa or Justin Sun types).
For Hammett, the sale doesn't signal retreat from collecting—he's already hinted at pursuing even rarer horror film artifacts. "Letting this one go hurts," he recently posted on Instagram, "but it's time for someone else to feel the power."
The December auction promises to be one of the most watched art events of 2025, proving once again that in the worlds of both metal and fine art—Frazetta's barbarians still rule.
FAQ
1. What exact Frank Frazetta painting is Kirk Hammett selling? It is the original 1967 oil painting Conan the Conqueror (also known as Conan the Berserker), created for the Lancer paperback cover.
2. How much is the Conan painting expected to sell for? Pre-sale estimates are confidential but sources indicate an asking price between $10–15 million, with potential to exceed $20 million including premium.
3. Has Kirk Hammett sold other Frazetta pieces before? Yes, several—including movie posters used for covers and minor Conan-related works—but this is by far the most important.
4. Where and when is the auction taking place? Heritage Auctions' Illustration Art Signature Sale, December 11–13, 2025, in Dallas, with the Conan painting as lot #1 on the evening of the 11th.
5. Did the painting really appear on Conan O'Brien's show? Yes, in 2018 Hammett brought it on Conan and discussed it at length—the clip still circulates widely among collectors.
6. Why is Frazetta art suddenly worth so much? Nostalgia boom, influence on gaming/film (Dungeons & Dragons, World of Warcraft, Game of Thrones), and limited supply of top-tier originals. Only about 30 major Conan-era paintings exist in private hands.
7. Will Kirk Hammett stop collecting art after this sale? Absolutely not—he has stated this simply allows him to pursue other "holy grail" pieces in horror memorabilia and continue curating exhibitions.