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[[Image:Mermaid-syndrom.jpg|right|thumb|''Mermaid Syndrom'' by [[George Grie]], (2006).]]
[[Image:Mermaid-syndrom.jpg|right|thumb|''Mermaid Syndrom'' by [[George Grie]], (2006).]]
{{Fantasy}}
{{Fantasy}}
'''Fantastic art''' has been described as a "loosely-defined [[art]] [[genre]]"" <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.jahsonic.com/FantasticArt.html|accessdate=3 August 2013}}</ref>. It is a broad genre characterised by subject matter - which is "fantastic", i.e. portrays non-realistic, mystical or mythological subjects or events - and style - representational and naturalistic (rather than abstract), or in the case of magazine illustrations and similar, cartoon art styles.
'''Fantastic art''' is a broad and loosely-defined [[art]] [[genre]]. <ref name="jahsonic"></ref>. It is not restricted to a specific school of artists, gerographical location or historical period. It can be characterised by subject matter - which portrays non-realistic, mystical, [[mythical]] or [[folklore|folkloric]] subjects or events - and style, which is representational and naturalistic, rather than abstract - or in the case of magazine illustrations and similar, in the style of [[graphic novel]] art such as [[manga]].


⚫
Fantasy has been an integral part of art since its beginnings,<ref name="Schurian"/> but has been particularly important in [[mannerism]], [[magic realism|magic realist]] painting, [[romantic art]], [[Symbolism (arts)|symbolism]], [[surrealism]] and [[lowbrow (art movement)|lowbrow]]. In French, the genre is called le [[fantastique]], in English it is sometimes referred to as ''visionary art'', ''grotesque art'' or [[mannerism|mannerist art]]. It has had a deep and circular interaction with [[fantasy literature]].
The parameters of fantastic art have been fairly rigorously defined in the scholarship on the subject ever since the 19th century.{{vague|reason=what are the parameters?|date=January 2013}}{{citation needed|date=October 2011}}


Related genres, which may also be considered as being part of Fantastic Art, include the [[Symbolism (arts)|Symbolism]] of the [[Victorian era, and [[Surrealism]]. Art based on classical mythology was been a staple of European painting from the [[Renaissance]] period, and arguably meets the definition of Fantastic Art given above (art based on modern mythology such as [[JRR Tolkien]]'s [[Middle Earth]] mythos would unquestionably be classed as Fantastic). Religious painting often depicts supernatural or miraculous subjects in a naturalistic way, but is not generally regarded as Fantastic Art, a classification which would likely cause offence to religious believers.
⚫
Fantastic art has traditionally been largely confined to painting and illustration, but since the 1970s has increasingly been found also in photography. Fantastic art explores fantasy, "space fantasy" (a sub-genre which incorporates subjects of alien mythology and/or alien religion), imagination, the dream state, the [[grotesque]], visions and the uncanny,<ref name="Schurian">Schurian, Walter (2005) Beyond Mere Understanding. In: ''Fantastic Art'', Schurian, W. & Grosenick, U. (Ed.), [[Taschen]], p.6-25. ISBN 978-3-8228-2954-7 (English edition)</ref> as well as so-called "[[Goth]]" art. Being an inherent genre of [[Victorian era|Victorian]] [[Symbolism (arts)|Symbolism]], modern fantastic art often shares its choice of themes such as [[mythology]], [[occultism]] and [[mysticism]], or lore and folklore, and generally seeks to depict the inner life (nature of soul and spirit).{{citation needed|date=October 2011}}


The subject matter of Fantastic Art may resemble the product of hallucinations, and Fantastic artist [[Richard Dadd]] spent much of his life in mental institutions. [[Salvador Dali]] famously said: "the difference between me and a madman is that I am not mad". Some recent Fantastic Art draws on the artist's experience, or purported experience, of [[hallucinogenic drugs]].
⚫
Fantasy has been an integral part of art since its beginnings,<ref name="Schurian"/> but has been particularly important in [[mannerism]], [[magic realism|magic realist]] painting, [[romantic art]], [[Symbolism (arts)|symbolism]], [[surrealism]] and [[lowbrow (art movement)|lowbrow]]. In French, the genre is called le [[fantastique]], in English it is sometimes referred to as ''visionary art'', ''grotesque art'' or [[mannerism|mannerist art]]. It has had a deep and circular interaction with [[fantasy literature]].

The term '''Fantasy Art''' is closely related, and is applied primarily to recent art (typically 20th century onwards) often based around, or illustrating, fantasy literature. The term has acquired some pejorative overtones.

⚫
Fantastic art has traditionally been largely confined to painting and illustration, but since the 1970s has increasingly been found also in photography. Fantastic art explores fantasy, "space fantasy" (a sub-genre which incorporates subjects of alien mythology and/or alien religion), imagination, the dream state, the [[grotesque]], visions and the uncanny,<ref name="Schurian">Schurian, Walter (2005) Beyond Mere Understanding. In: ''Fantastic Art'', Schurian, W. & Grosenick, U. (Ed.), [[Taschen]], p.6-25. ISBN 978-3-8228-2954-7 (English edition)</ref> as well as so-called "[[Goth]]" art.


== Historic artists and fine artists ==
== Historic artists and fine artists ==
Many artists have produced works which fit the definition of fantastic art. Some, such as [[Nicholas Roerich]] worked almost exclusively in the genre, others such as [[Hieronymus Bosch]], who has been described as the first "fantastic" artist in the Western tradition, <ref name="Schurian"/> produced both fantastic and naturalistic work, and for others such as [[Francisco de Goya]], fantastic works were only a small part of their output. Others again such as [[Rene Magritte]] are usually classed as Surrealists but use fantastic elements in their work. It is therefore impossible to give an exhaustive list of fantastic artists, but a selection of major and influential figures appears below. <ref name=jahsonic>{{cite web|title=Jahsonic, a vocabulary of culture|url=http://www.jahsonic.com/FantasticArt.html|accessdate=4 August 2013}}</ref> <ref>{{cite book|last=Larkin|first=David (ed.)|title=Fantastic Art|year=1973|publisher=Pan Ballantine}}</ref>
{{expand section|date=January 2011}}

The first "fantastic" artist is generally said to be [[Hieronymus Bosch]].<ref name="Schurian"/> Other painters who have been labeled fantastic include [[Pieter Brueghel the Elder|Brueghel]], [[Giuseppe Arcimboldo]], [[Matthias Grünewald]], [[Hans Baldung|Hans Baldung Grien]], [[Francisco de Goya]], [[Gustave Moreau]], [[Henry Fuseli]], [[Odilon Redon]], [[Max Klinger]], [[Arnold Böcklin]], [[William Blake]], [[Gustave Doré]], [[Giovanni Battista Piranesi]], [[Salvador Dalí]], [[Arik Brauer]], [[Ernst Fuchs (artist)|Ernst Fuchs]], [[Rudolf Hausner]], [[Johfra]], [[H.R. Giger]], and [[Mati Klarwein]].{{Citation needed|date=March 2007}}. Some these asrtists worked in genres other than the fantastic, and some are also labelled as [[Surrealist]]s, an overlapping art genre.
* [[Giuseppe Arcimboldo]]
* [[Arnold Böcklin]]
* [[William Blake]]
* Hieronymus Bosch
* [[Pieter Brueghel the Elder|Brueghel]]
* [[Hans Baldung|Hans Baldung Grien]]
* [[Marc Chagall]]
* Richard Dadd
* Salvador Dalí
* [[Paul Delvaux]]
* [[Gustave Doré]]
* [[Max Ernst]]
* [[Caspar David Friedrich]]
* [[Henry Fuseli]]
* Francisco de Goya
* [[Matthias Grünewald]]
* [[Max Klinger]]
* [[Gustave Moreau]]
* [[Giovanni Battista Piranesi]]
* [[Odilon Redon]]
* Nicholas Roerich
* [[Henri Rousseau]]
* [[Clovis Trouille]]


==20th Century==
==20th Century==
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==Contemporary artists{{citation needed|date=October 2011}}==
==Contemporary artists{{citation needed|date=October 2011}}==
[[Image:Orlando Furioso 27.jpg|right|thumb|[[Gustave Doré]]'s fantastic illustration of ''[[Orlando Furioso]]'': defeating a sea monster]]
[[Image:Orlando Furioso 27.jpg|right|thumb|[[Gustave Doré]]'s fantastic illustration of ''[[Orlando Furioso]]'': defeating a sea monster]]
* [[Arik Brauer]]
* [[Zdzisław Beksiński]]
* [[Zdzisław Beksiński]]
* [[Gerald Brom]]
* [[Gerald Brom]]
Line 32: Line 60:
* [[Peter Gric]]
* [[Peter Gric]]
* [[Judson Huss]]
* [[Judson Huss]]
* [[Rudolf Hausner]]
* [[Johfra]]
* [[Oleg A. Korolev]]
* [[Oleg A. Korolev]]
* [[Mati Klarwein]]
* [[Rodney Matthews]]
* [[Rodney Matthews]]
* [[Odd Nerdrum]]
* [[Odd Nerdrum]]
Line 51: Line 82:
* [[Bob Eggleton]]
* [[Bob Eggleton]]
* [[Donato Giancola]]
* [[Donato Giancola]]

==Non-European Art==
Non-European art may contain fantastic elements, although it is not necessarily easy to separate them from religious elements invlolving supernatural beings and miraculous events.

Sculptor [[Bunleua Sulilat]] is a notable contemporary Asian Fantastic artist.


== See also ==
== See also ==

Revision as of 00:47, 4 August 2013

Mermaid Syndrom by George Grie, (2006).
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Fantastic art is a broad and loosely-defined art genre. [1]. It is not restricted to a specific school of artists, gerographical location or historical period. It can be characterised by subject matter - which portrays non-realistic, mystical, mythical or folkloric subjects or events - and style, which is representational and naturalistic, rather than abstract - or in the case of magazine illustrations and similar, in the style of graphic novel art such as manga.

Fantasy has been an integral part of art since its beginnings,[2] but has been particularly important in mannerism, magic realist painting, romantic art, symbolism, surrealism and lowbrow. In French, the genre is called le fantastique, in English it is sometimes referred to as visionary art, grotesque art or mannerist art. It has had a deep and circular interaction with fantasy literature.

Related genres, which may also be considered as being part of Fantastic Art, include the Symbolism of the [[Victorian era, and Surrealism. Art based on classical mythology was been a staple of European painting from the Renaissance period, and arguably meets the definition of Fantastic Art given above (art based on modern mythology such as JRR Tolkien's Middle Earth mythos would unquestionably be classed as Fantastic). Religious painting often depicts supernatural or miraculous subjects in a naturalistic way, but is not generally regarded as Fantastic Art, a classification which would likely cause offence to religious believers.

The subject matter of Fantastic Art may resemble the product of hallucinations, and Fantastic artist Richard Dadd spent much of his life in mental institutions. Salvador Dali famously said: "the difference between me and a madman is that I am not mad". Some recent Fantastic Art draws on the artist's experience, or purported experience, of hallucinogenic drugs.

The term Fantasy Art is closely related, and is applied primarily to recent art (typically 20th century onwards) often based around, or illustrating, fantasy literature. The term has acquired some pejorative overtones.

Fantastic art has traditionally been largely confined to painting and illustration, but since the 1970s has increasingly been found also in photography. Fantastic art explores fantasy, "space fantasy" (a sub-genre which incorporates subjects of alien mythology and/or alien religion), imagination, the dream state, the grotesque, visions and the uncanny,[2] as well as so-called "Goth" art.

Historic artists and fine artists

Many artists have produced works which fit the definition of fantastic art. Some, such as Nicholas Roerich worked almost exclusively in the genre, others such as Hieronymus Bosch, who has been described as the first "fantastic" artist in the Western tradition, [2] produced both fantastic and naturalistic work, and for others such as Francisco de Goya, fantastic works were only a small part of their output. Others again such as Rene Magritte are usually classed as Surrealists but use fantastic elements in their work. It is therefore impossible to give an exhaustive list of fantastic artists, but a selection of major and influential figures appears below. [1] [3]

20th Century

The rise of fantasy and science fiction "pulp" magazines demanded artwork to illustrate stories and (via cover art) to promote sales. This led to a movement of science fiction and fantasy artists prior to and during the Great Depression, as anthologised by Vincent Di Fate, himself a prolific SF and space artist.[4]

In the United States in the 1930s, a group of Wisconsin artists inspired by the Surrealist movement of Europe created their own brand of fantastic art. They included Madison, Wisconsin-based artists Marshall Glasier, Dudley Huppler and John Wilde; Karl Priebe of Milwaukee and Gertrude Abercrombie of Chicago. Their art combined macabre humor, mystery and irony [5] which was in direct and pointed contradiction to the American Regionalism then in vogue.

In postwar Chicago, the art movement Chicago Imagism produced many fantastic and grotesque paintings, which were little noted because they did not conform to New York abstract art fashions of the time. Major imagists include Roger Brown, Gladys Nilsson, Jim Nutt, Ed Paschke, and Karl Wirsum.[6]

Contemporary artists[citation needed]

Gustave Doré's fantastic illustration of Orlando Furioso: defeating a sea monster

Non-European Art

Non-European art may contain fantastic elements, although it is not necessarily easy to separate them from religious elements invlolving supernatural beings and miraculous events.

Sculptor Bunleua Sulilat is a notable contemporary Asian Fantastic artist.

See also

Notes

  1. ^ a b "Jahsonic, a vocabulary of culture". Retrieved 4 August 2013.
  2. ^ a b c Schurian, Walter (2005) Beyond Mere Understanding. In: Fantastic Art, Schurian, W. & Grosenick, U. (Ed.), Taschen, p.6-25. ISBN 978-3-8228-2954-7 (English edition)
  3. ^ Larkin, David (ed.) (1973). Fantastic Art. Pan Ballantine. {{cite book}}: |first= has generic name (help)
  4. ^ Di Fato, Vincent. Infinite Worlds: The Fantastic Visions of Science Fiction Art.
  5. ^ Sara Krajewski, “Surreal Wisconsin: Surrealism and its Legacy of Wisconsin Art,” Madison Art Center, 1998 http://members.aol.com/MenuBar/surreal/surreal.htm accessed 3/26/2003
  6. ^ Richard Vine, "Where the Wild Things Were", Art in America, May 1997, pp. 98-111.

References

  • Coleman, A.D. (1977). The Grotesque in Photography. New York: Summit, Ridge Press.
  • Watney, Simon (1977). Fantastic Painters. London: Thames & Hudson.
  • Colombo, Attilio (1979). Fantastic Photographs. London: Gordon Fraser.
  • Johnson, Diana L. (1979). Fantastic illustration and design in Britain, 1850-1930. Rhode Island School of Design.
  • Krichbaum, Jorg & Zondergeld. R.A. (Eds.) (1985). Dictionary of Fantastic Art. Barron's Educational Series.
  • Menton, Seymour (1983). Magic Realism Rediscovered 1918-1981. Philadelphia, The Art Alliance Press.
  • Day, Holliday T. & Sturges, Hollister (1989). Art of the Fantastic: Latin America, 1920-1987. Indianapolis: Indianapolis Museum of Art.
  • Clair, Jean (1995). Lost Paradise: Symbolist Europe. Montreal: Montreal Museum of Fine Arts.
  • Palumbo, Donald (Ed.) (1986). Eros in the Mind's Eye: Sexuality and the Fantastic in Art and Film (Contributions to the Study of Science Fiction and Fantasy). Greenwood Press.
  • Stathatos, John (2001). A Vindication of Tlon: Photography and the Fantastic. Greece: Thessaloniki Museum of Photography
  • Schurian, Prof. Dr. Walter (2005). Fantastic Art. Taschen. ISBN 978-3-8228-2954-7 (English edition)
  • BeinArt collective (2007). Metamorphosis. beinArt. ISBN 978-0-9803231-0-8
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