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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Melancholy of the metaphysical landscape with leaving shadow
Vladimir Kolosov
Painting - 81.3 x 81.3 x 3.8 cm Painting - 32 x 32 x 1.5 inch
€1,738
Trio. Evolution in Do Major
Vladimir Kolosov
Painting - 61 x 61 x 1.9 cm Painting - 24 x 24 x 0.75 inch
€1,125
The value of time
Vladimir Kolosov
Painting - 91.4 x 61 x 0.6 cm Painting - 36 x 24 x 0.25 inch
€1,582
Vanishing world
Vladimir Kolosov
Painting - 137.2 x 213.4 x 5.1 cm Painting - 54 x 84 x 2 inch
€8,323
Saint Michel Terrassant le dragon
Xavier Albert Fiala
Painting - 49.7 x 38 x 0.5 cm Painting - 19.6 x 15 x 0.2 inch
€1,115
Mystic Forest Maze
Samvel Atasunts
Painting - 60 x 90 x 2 cm Painting - 23.6 x 35.4 x 0.8 inch
€4,116
Le marcheur lourd avance pas à pas au milieu du chaos. Danger coups de couteau.
Robert Combas
Painting - 35.5 x 28.3 x 4 cm Painting - 14 x 11.1 x 1.6 inch
€16,000
Jardin de nuages
Alexandra Battezzati
Painting - 120 x 120 x 3 cm Painting - 47.2 x 47.2 x 1.2 inch
€5,500
Pendant que je revais
Alexandra Battezzati
Painting - 120 x 120 x 3 cm Painting - 47.2 x 47.2 x 1.2 inch
€5,500
Beaux ectoplasmes et fiers radis
Philippe Azema
Painting - 100 x 60 cm Painting - 39.4 x 23.6 inch
€2,500
Hommage à Terry Pratchett
Albena Vatcheva
Painting - 100 x 80 x 2 cm Painting - 39.4 x 31.5 x 0.8 inch
€1,950
Les chevaux et la tour
Michèle Vincent
Painting - 65 x 54 x 2 cm Painting - 25.6 x 21.3 x 0.8 inch
€504
La Vague - Paysage marin fantastique
Michèle Vincent
Painting - 54 x 65 x 2 cm Painting - 21.3 x 25.6 x 0.8 inch
€525
Childhood dreams-62
Abgar Khachatryan
Painting - 60 x 60 x 2 cm Painting - 23.6 x 23.6 x 0.8 inch
€686 €549
99 Problems
Michael Grine
Painting - 51.8 x 45.4 x 1.9 cm Painting - 20.375 x 17.875 x 0.75 inch
€274
La frontera de la consciencia
Josep Garcia Marsal
Painting - 65 x 54 x 2 cm Painting - 25.6 x 21.3 x 0.8 inch
€1,200
Femme à la fenêtre
Graciela Castellano-Saavedra
Painting - 65 x 54 x 2 cm Painting - 25.6 x 21.3 x 0.8 inch
€900
Dans le miroir
Graciela Castellano-Saavedra
Painting - 65 x 46 x 2 cm Painting - 25.6 x 18.1 x 0.8 inch
€900
L'arbre voyageur
Alexandra Battezzati
Painting - 80 x 120 x 4 cm Painting - 31.5 x 47.2 x 1.6 inch
€3,900
Bouleau sous la neige
Alexandra Battezzati
Painting - 150 x 50 x 3 cm Painting - 59.1 x 19.7 x 1.2 inch
€3,300
Calypso et Ulysse
Jean Christophe Stauder
Painting - 54 x 43 x 2 cm Painting - 21.3 x 16.9 x 0.8 inch
€1,900
Untitled From The Durero Series
Ana Seggiaro
Painting - 80 x 112 x 0.3 cm Painting - 31.5 x 44.1 x 0.1 inch
€3,201
Carnevale Veneziano - III
Vladimir Kolosov
Painting - 121.9 x 121.9 cm Painting - 48 x 48 inch
€3,604
Les murailles de l'Atlantide
Françoise Dugourd-Caput
Painting - 80 x 60 cm Painting - 31.5 x 23.6 inch
€1,260
Forger ses racines
Christine Marie Nobre
Painting - 40 x 40 x 3 cm Painting - 15.7 x 15.7 x 1.2 inch
€760
Habiter le ciel
Christine Marie Nobre
Painting - 40 x 40 x 3 cm Painting - 15.7 x 15.7 x 1.2 inch
€760
Fragile Connection
Samvel Atasunts
Painting - 60 x 40 x 2 cm Painting - 23.6 x 15.7 x 0.8 inch
€1,098
Firefighter (Spirits Of Skies 080203)
Ansgar Dressler
Painting - 101.6 x 81.3 x 3 cm Painting - 40 x 32 x 1.2 inch
€1,098
An invisible presence
Eva Dimitrova
Painting - 65 x 50 x 2 cm Painting - 25.6 x 19.7 x 0.8 inch
€1,450
Malédiction de la sorcière
Frieda Mouroum
Painting - 73 x 60 x 2 cm Painting - 28.7 x 23.6 x 0.8 inch
€600
En Compagnie
Carlos Antonio Sablon Perez
Painting - 48 x 36 x 4 cm Painting - 18.9 x 14.2 x 1.6 inch
€4,500
La fontaine des Girondins
Aurélie Trabaud
Painting - 65 x 81 x 1 cm Painting - 25.6 x 31.9 x 0.4 inch
€4,400
Tête de Satyre
Carlos Antonio Sablon Perez
Painting - 30 x 30 x 3 cm Painting - 11.8 x 11.8 x 1.2 inch
€3,000
Maudit artiste - série portrait onirique et surréalisme
Samuel Boudaud
Painting - 92 x 65 x 2 cm Painting - 36.2 x 25.6 x 0.8 inch
€3,500
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.