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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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Painting, Scatsong, Natasha Lelenco

Scatsong

Natasha Lelenco

Painting - 73 x 54 x 2.5 cm Painting - 28.7 x 21.3 x 1 inch

$2,191

Painting, Love Wild, Natasha Lelenco

Love Wild

Natasha Lelenco

Painting - 73 x 54 x 2 cm Painting - 28.7 x 21.3 x 0.8 inch

$2,929

Painting, Exodus, Dima Filatov

Exodus

Dima Filatov

Painting - 100 x 100 x 2 cm Painting - 39.4 x 39.4 x 0.8 inch

$1,310

Painting, Corps Affamés, Kej

Corps Affamés

Kej

Painting - 61 x 46 x 5 cm Painting - 24 x 18.1 x 2 inch

$952

Painting, Aquarius, Albena Vatcheva

Aquarius

Albena Vatcheva

Painting - 34 x 34 x 2 cm Painting - 13.4 x 13.4 x 0.8 inch

$685

Painting, Queen 33, Kim Soo Young

Queen 33

Kim Soo Young

Painting - 22.5 x 15.7 x 3.3 cm Painting - 8.9 x 6.2 x 1.3 inch

$649

Painting, Queen 32, Kim Soo Young

Queen 32

Kim Soo Young

Painting - 22.5 x 15.7 x 3.3 cm Painting - 8.9 x 6.2 x 1.3 inch

$649

Painting, Queen 31, Kim Soo Young

Queen 31

Kim Soo Young

Painting - 22.5 x 15.7 x 3.3 cm Painting - 8.9 x 6.2 x 1.3 inch

$649

Painting, Queen 30, Kim Soo Young

Queen 30

Kim Soo Young

Painting - 22.5 x 15.7 x 3.3 cm Painting - 8.9 x 6.2 x 1.3 inch

$649

Painting, Toucan, Derek Carruthers

Toucan

Derek Carruthers

Painting - 40 x 48 x 6 cm Painting - 15.7 x 18.9 x 2.4 inch

$929

Painting, Hot trip, Ia Liparteliani

Hot trip

Ia Liparteliani

Painting - 70 x 70 x 3 cm Painting - 27.6 x 27.6 x 1.2 inch

$952

Painting, Eden blosson, Leona Rose

Eden blosson

Leona Rose

Painting - 200 x 250 x 3 cm Painting - 78.7 x 98.4 x 1.2 inch

$2,976

Painting, Vaincre, Charlotte Pivard

Vaincre

Charlotte Pivard

Painting - 130 x 97 x 3 cm Painting - 51.2 x 38.2 x 1.2 inch

$1,667

Painting, Wolverine, Seen

Wolverine

Seen

Painting - 100 x 100 x 0.1 cm Painting - 39.4 x 39.4 x 0 inch

$5,953

Painting, Subsidence, Antoine Josse

Subsidence

Antoine Josse

Painting - 140 x 110 x 4 cm Painting - 55.1 x 43.3 x 1.6 inch

$5,357

Painting, Fotdon, Stefano Mazzolini

Fotdon

Stefano Mazzolini

Painting - 130 x 110 x 1 cm Painting - 51.2 x 43.3 x 0.4 inch

$2,381

Painting, Les Gloutons, Kej

Les Gloutons

Kej

Painting - 61 x 46 x 5 cm Painting - 24 x 18.1 x 2 inch

$952

Painting, The Devil, Kej

The Devil

Kej

Painting - 65 x 54 x 5 cm Painting - 25.6 x 21.3 x 2 inch

$952

Painting, Entre les rochers, Plaf

Entre les rochers

Plaf

Painting - 31 x 50 x 2.5 cm Painting - 12.2 x 19.7 x 1 inch

$744

Painting, Junta, Vladimir Kolosov

Junta

Vladimir Kolosov

Painting - 91.4 x 121.9 x 2 cm Painting - 36 x 48 x 0.8 inch

$1,880

Painting, Sun Ra, Damien Berrard

Sun Ra

Damien Berrard

Painting - 100 x 81 x 2 cm Painting - 39.4 x 31.9 x 0.8 inch

$2,381

Painting, Untitle, Luis Fernández

Untitle

Luis Fernández

Painting - 100 x 80 x 2 cm Painting - 39.4 x 31.5 x 0.8 inch

$4,167

Painting, Sédition, Nicolas Monjo

Sédition

Nicolas Monjo

Painting - 130 x 97 x 2 cm Painting - 51.2 x 38.2 x 0.8 inch

$5,834

Painting, War, Mykola Mamchur

War

Mykola Mamchur

Painting - 60 x 50 x 0.5 cm Painting - 23.6 x 19.7 x 0.2 inch

$2,619

Painting, Trip, Ia Liparteliani

Trip

Ia Liparteliani

Painting - 120 x 120 x 3 cm Painting - 47.2 x 47.2 x 1.2 inch

$1,905

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Print, Balance, Irena Aizen

Balance

Irena Aizen

Print - 25.5 x 22.5 x 1 cm Print - 10 x 8.9 x 0.4 inch

$771

Print, Dream, Insane 51

Dream

Insane 51

Print - 70 x 70 cm Print - 27.6 x 27.6 inch

$1,774

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.