Fantastical painting for Sale
Fantasy painting is a style of art which explores the supernatural, depicting fantastical elements such as legends, ancient myths and divine figures. Mythical creatures are also prevalent in this genre where elves, fairies, dragons and wizards are often depicted alongside deities, angels and demons.
Fantasy painting grew in popularity after the invention of photography replaced the demand for Realism in the 19th century. The 20th century saw the introduction of new idealistic movements such as Expressionism, Cubism, Abstraction and Surrealism, where artists abandoned portraying subjects truthfully and embraced the implausible and supernatural. Although Fantasy Painting can technically be traced back to antiquity, it wasn't until the 20th century that it became an accepted art form. Artists of the Italian Renaissance were equally inspired by mythological characters in Greek and Roman culture. However, religious mythology was a highly sophisticated and incredibly important topic during the Renaissance, and is therefore not an example of fantasy painting.
Contemporary fantasy art has certainly been influenced by a surge in demand for science fiction and whimsical literary plots. This pushed artists to explore the darker corners of fantasy art, employing vampires and werewolves into their artwork. In 1923 the first all-fantasy fiction magazine was created called “Weird Tales", which helped bring fantasy painting onto a contemporary platform. As a result, fantasy painting became a powerful tool in the marketing of fantasy literature and film. Robert E. Howard's comic book hero “Conan the Barbarian" was a prominent feature in Weird Tales magazine. However, when the stories were re-released in 1960 with cover art by notable fantasy painter, Frank Frazetta, over 10 million copies were sold. This success lead to the creation of other fantasy art magazines. French magazine, “Métal Hurlant" (howling metal) was created in 1974. Due to its huge readership and demand, it was translated and republished in the United States as “Heavy Metal" in 1977. The late 70s also saw a boom in computer games and blockbuster films, which only furthered the popularity of fantasy painting. Hugely successful films like Star Wars, The Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter, The Hobbit and Twilight were paramount in fantasy painting's not only rise to prominence, but also increasing acceptance as an art form.
Despite the skill of artists that produce fantasy paintings, it is still not considered canonical. Since it is not an example of “high art", the genre is generally not exhibited in galleries or taught in art schools, which many claim is due to the popularity of fantasy literature and film. However, as fantasy painting's reputation grows, so does the acceptance for a wider variety of art forms. Therefore, we can't eliminate the possibility that this massively prominent genre won't be considered highbrow one day.
Discover our selection of original paintings by contemporary artists and painters who have been inspired by all things supernatural, mythical and divine.
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I will lead you to the light
Dasha Pogodina
Painting - 130 x 150 x 2.5 cm Painting - 51.2 x 59.1 x 1 inch
€1,800
Coffee with cream (ready to hang)
Nadin Antoniuk
Painting - 50 x 150 x 1.5 cm Painting - 19.7 x 59.1 x 0.6 inch
€920
Vian 13 - Fetishes Series
Natasha Lelenco
Painting - 60 x 60 x 4 cm Painting - 23.6 x 23.6 x 1.6 inch
€1,080
We Don't Need No Education (Golden Frame)
tizlu
Painting - 70 x 50 x 1 cm Painting - 27.6 x 19.7 x 0.4 inch
€3,500
For the first time I see myself so clearly
Dasha Pogodina
Painting - 130 x 150 x 2.5 cm Painting - 51.2 x 59.1 x 1 inch
€1,600
The Magic forest of Harry Potter
Lilya Volskaya
Painting - 65 x 46 x 2 cm Painting - 25.6 x 18.1 x 0.8 inch
€800
The Quiet Within
Nadin Antoniuk
Painting - 110 x 200 x 0.3 cm Painting - 43.3 x 78.7 x 0.1 inch
€1,950
Like an angel XL 1
Peter Nottrott
Painting - 105 x 155 x 4 cm Painting - 41.3 x 61 x 1.6 inch
€2,390
La Palme
Carlos Antonio Sablon Perez
Painting - 70 x 50 x 3 cm Painting - 27.6 x 19.7 x 1.2 inch
€2,000
Experiencing rückkehrunruhe
Vladimir Kolosov
Painting - 40.6 x 50.8 x 0.6 cm Painting - 16 x 20 x 0.25 inch
€851
Women can do anything!
Dasha Pogodina
Painting - 100 x 90 x 2.5 cm Painting - 39.4 x 35.4 x 1 inch
€1,300
Strange Mermaid In Blue
Marian Williams
Painting - 116 x 89 x 2 cm Painting - 45.7 x 35 x 0.8 inch
€2,500
Angel Painting - Secret Garden Story
Dasha Pogodina
Painting - 85 x 80 x 2 cm Painting - 33.5 x 31.5 x 0.8 inch
€1,300
Angel Painting - Secret garden
Dasha Pogodina
Painting - 100 x 85 x 2 cm Painting - 39.4 x 33.5 x 0.8 inch
€1,300
Le furet dans l'ombre des bois
Sébastien Nadin
Painting - 118 x 84 x 1 cm Painting - 46.5 x 33.1 x 0.4 inch
€2,800
El árbol de la fortuna
Baptiste Laurent
Painting - 210 x 172 x 3 cm Painting - 82.7 x 67.7 x 1.2 inch
€4,950
N° 1010 Patetico ostinato.
R. Cavalié
Painting - 73 x 54 x 2 cm Painting - 28.7 x 21.3 x 0.8 inch
€600
Die Wasser Schlange
Artiste Ouvrier
Painting - 100 x 50 x 2 cm Painting - 39.4 x 19.7 x 0.8 inch
€2,000
The best kind of Memories
Katharina Hormel
Painting - 80 x 80 x 2 cm Painting - 31.5 x 31.5 x 0.8 inch
€1,300
Gestural abstraction
Maria Esmar
Painting - 120 x 100 x 4 cm Painting - 47.2 x 39.4 x 1.6 inch
€2,600
Enigmatic appearance of myself in an other's dream
Vladimir Kolosov
Painting - 121.9 x 91.4 x 2 cm Painting - 48 x 36 x 0.8 inch
€1,628
Chair Border Line
Baptiste Laurent
Painting - 172 x 109 x 0.3 cm Painting - 67.7 x 42.9 x 0.1 inch
€3,650
Les arbres 04.03.25
Laurent Bouro
Painting - 80 x 60 x 3 cm Painting - 31.5 x 23.6 x 1.2 inch
€2,800
Cavaliere del Drago
Alexander Daniloff
Painting - 55 x 40 x 2 cm Painting - 21.7 x 15.7 x 0.8 inch
€780
Landscape with levitating metaphysical still life and its shadows
Vladimir Kolosov
Painting - 76.2 x 55.9 x 0 cm Painting - 30 x 22 x 0.01 inch
€1,454
More Than a Feeling
Maria Esmar
Painting - 140 x 180 x 0.1 cm Painting - 55.1 x 70.9 x 0 inch
€5,600
L’enfant de la Liane
Clémence Dupuch
Painting - 115 x 90 x 3 cm Painting - 45.3 x 35.4 x 1.2 inch
€1,800
Malinconia autunnale
Alexander Daniloff
Painting - 60 x 30 x 2 cm Painting - 23.6 x 11.8 x 0.8 inch
€720
Les arbres 02.10.24
Laurent Bouro
Painting - 100 x 80 x 2.5 cm Painting - 39.4 x 31.5 x 1 inch
€4,200
Stormtrooper, welcome to the dark side
Patrick Cornée
Painting - 80 x 80 x 3 cm Painting - 31.5 x 31.5 x 1.2 inch
€2,500
L'Ecureuil combattant
Sébastien Nadin
Painting - 30 x 30 x 2 cm Painting - 11.8 x 11.8 x 0.8 inch
€600
Les arbres 08.10.24
Laurent Bouro
Painting - 120 x 120 x 3 cm Painting - 47.2 x 47.2 x 1.2 inch
€6,800
Discover the styles & movements
Discover the selection of our experts
Le Chef-d'Oeuvre ou les Mystères de l'Horizon
René Magritte
Print - 45 x 60 x 0.1 cm Print - 17.7 x 23.6 x 0 inch
€780
La forêt intérieure
Clémence Dupuch
Painting - 80 x 80 x 2 cm Painting - 31.5 x 31.5 x 0.8 inch
€1,600
Femme au bord de l'eau, 1910 | Woman at the Shoreline, 1910
Léon Spilliaert
Print - 59 x 72 cm Print - 23.2 x 28.3 inch
€750
Need help with Fantastical painting ?
What is a fantasy painting?
A fantasy painting depicts imaginary, supernatural, or unreal scenes, often inspired by myths, dreams, or fantasy. It invites the viewer to explore worlds where imagination takes precedence over reality.
What is dreamlike and fantastic painting?
Dreamlike and fantastical painting explores imaginary worlds, blending dreams with the unreal. It is characterized by surreal scenes, invented creatures, and mysterious landscapes, inviting escape and personal interpretation.
What characterizes the fantasy genre?
The fantasy genre is distinguished by the eruption of supernatural or inexplicable elements into a realistic universe, arousing doubt and confusion in both the characters and the viewer. It invites us to question the boundary between reality and imagination, a theme often explored in contemporary art.
What is the prettiest painting in the world?
The notion of "the most beautiful painting in the world" is subjective and varies according to taste. Among the most admired works, Leonardo da Vinci's Mona Lisa fascinates with its mystery, but every contemporary art lover will find their own favorite on Artsper.