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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, Vacarme 3, Booster

Vacarme 3

Booster

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

$477

Painting, Natural spirit, La Face

Natural spirit

La Face

Painting - 81 x 116 x 2 cm Painting - 31.9 x 45.7 x 0.8 inch

$13,113

Painting, Chomp, Nicasio Fernandez

Chomp

Nicasio Fernandez

Painting - 25.4 x 20.3 x 1.5 cm Painting - 10 x 8 x 0.6 inch

$20,000

Painting, Surreal, Patrick Hugues

Surreal

Patrick Hugues

Painting - 40 x 90 x 18.5 cm Painting - 15.7 x 35.4 x 7.3 inch

$19,074

Painting, Hello world, Heru Priyono

Hello world

Heru Priyono

Painting - 66 x 50 x 2.54 cm Painting - 26 x 19.7 x 1 inch

$6,000

Painting, Red Thread#3, Eunjoo Kim

Red Thread#3

Eunjoo Kim

Painting - 33.4 x 24.2 x 5 cm Painting - 13.1 x 9.5 x 2 inch

$894

Painting, Recrudescence, Eric Raban

Recrudescence

Eric Raban

Painting - 140 x 90 x 4.4 cm Painting - 55.1 x 35.4 x 1.7 inch

$3,576

Painting, Bob Ooblong, Jerkface

Bob Ooblong

Jerkface

Painting - 30.5 x 30.5 x 2.54 cm Painting - 12 x 12 x 1 inch

$12,500

Painting, LIama, Maria Jaglowska

LIama

Maria Jaglowska

Painting - 130 x 150 x 1 cm Painting - 51.2 x 59.1 x 0.4 inch

$4,590

Painting, Nature, Loha

Nature

Loha

Painting - 29 x 21 x 1 cm Painting - 11.4 x 8.3 x 0.4 inch

$119

Painting, Faded air trail, Nomo N

Faded air trail

Nomo N

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

$2,980 $2,682

Painting, Bane, Swed Oner

Bane

Swed Oner

Painting - 130 x 97 x 0.4 cm Painting - 51.2 x 38.2 x 0.2 inch

$14,306

Painting, Anital, Jordy Le Bruchec

Anital

Jordy Le Bruchec

Painting - 160 x 10 x 3 cm Painting - 63 x 3.9 x 1.2 inch

$7,153

Painting, Fish tea, Mani Mustafa

Fish tea

Mani Mustafa

Painting - 50 x 76 x 0.1 cm Painting - 19.7 x 29.9 x 0 inch

$2,146

Painting, Médusa, Les Sœurs Vitali

Médusa

Les Sœurs Vitali

Painting - 73 x 65 x 2 cm Painting - 28.7 x 25.6 x 0.8 inch

$2,503

Painting, Spring, Adam Burczyc

Spring

Adam Burczyc

Painting - 40 x 50 x 2 cm Painting - 15.7 x 19.7 x 0.8 inch

$1,168

Painting, Dragon Manga Carré, S. Dez

Dragon Manga Carré

S. Dez

Painting - 100 x 100 x 2.2 cm Painting - 39.4 x 39.4 x 0.9 inch

$1,192

Painting, Dos en la bañera, BL2A

Dos en la bañera

BL2A

Painting - 89 x 146 x 4 cm Painting - 35 x 57.5 x 1.6 inch

$2,980

Painting, Medusa, Provox

Medusa

Provox

Painting - 100 x 100 x 3 cm Painting - 39.4 x 39.4 x 1.2 inch

$2,980

Painting, Adaba, RG RG

Adaba

RG RG

Painting - 39.5 x 44 x 2 cm Painting - 15.6 x 17.3 x 0.8 inch

$1,431

Painting, Drapetomania, Bailey Li

Drapetomania

Bailey Li

Painting - 76.2 x 152.4 x 3.81 cm Painting - 30 x 60 x 1.5 inch

$13,500

Painting, Sans nom, Igor Andréev

Sans nom

Igor Andréev

Painting - 150 x 150 x 3 cm Painting - 59.1 x 59.1 x 1.2 inch

$3,517

Painting, Atlantide, Joris Art

Atlantide

Joris Art

Painting - 95 x 65 cm Painting - 37.4 x 25.6 inch

$358

Painting, Sans titre, MG La Bomba

Sans titre

MG La Bomba

Painting - 79.5 x 60 x 1.4 cm Painting - 31.3 x 23.6 x 0.6 inch

$1,168

Painting, City Boys, Akwasi Addai

City Boys

Akwasi Addai

Painting - 75 x 128.2 x 2 cm Painting - 29.5 x 50.5 x 0.8 inch

$5,961

Painting, LED-CPH, Dmitry Shorin

LED-CPH

Dmitry Shorin

Painting - 80 x 122 x 2 cm Painting - 31.5 x 48 x 0.8 inch

$4,172

Painting, Eclosion, Natacha Birds

Eclosion

Natacha Birds

Painting - 100 x 65 x 5 cm Painting - 39.4 x 25.6 x 2 inch

$2,146

Painting, Inward, Juan C. Estrada

Inward

Juan C. Estrada

Painting - 76.2 x 121.9 x 2.5 cm Painting - 30 x 48 x 1 inch

$2,500

Painting, Chaplin, Franck Rozet

Chaplin

Franck Rozet

Painting - 100 x 67 x 0.6 cm Painting - 39.4 x 26.4 x 0.2 inch

$2,980

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Discover the selection of our experts

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

$772

Print, Dream, Insane 51

Dream

Insane 51

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

$1,776

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.