Art of Fantasy

A Visual Sourcebook of All That is Unreal

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Pub Date Sep 12 2023 | Archive Date Aug 08 2023

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Description

This beautiful, fully illustrated book presents a compendium of artworks throughout history which have been inspired by myth, fantasy and the unreal.

Artists have explored imaginary worlds and fantastical creatures for centuries, expressing the unreal and impossible, the mystical and mythical, via the medium of paint.

But what draws them to the imaginary, the uncharted and the unknown? Is it merely an escape from reality? Or are they seeking a greater understanding of the human experience, or perhaps the very meaning of life itself? With myriad styles and methods of expression, what links artists through the ages? And how have these visual flights of fancy and imagination changed over the course of time?

The Art of Fantasy is a visual sourcebook of all that is fantastical – from fine art to illustration, and from surrealists and symbolists to the creatives working in undefined territories. While the artists in our history books (Blake, Goya, Dali, Magritte, Ernst) first brought fantasy art to the galleries, it was the twentieth century artists who brought it to the masses. It is in this book that, for the first time, they are united and equally weighted, presenting a mesmerising and thoughtful curation of the best fantasy artwork out there.

This is an inspiring collection for fans of myth, magic, fantasy and art history.

This beautiful, fully illustrated book presents a compendium of artworks throughout history which have been inspired by myth, fantasy and the unreal.

Artists have explored imaginary worlds and...


Available Editions

EDITION Other Format
ISBN 9780711279957
PRICE $30.00 (USD)
PAGES 240

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Average rating from 23 members


Featured Reviews

This book is so beautiful, so fantastic, I’m definitely preordering a copy for my bookshelf because I need a physical copy so I can look at the pictures even closer. Somany beautiful pictures from across the centuries, some I had seen before, most completely new to me. These are divided into sections such as almost human, impossible monsters, in our dreams, faith and philosophy , forgotten realms and wonderlands , creatures great and small, time travel, alternative and parallel universes, howto save the world, worlds apart, and magic is real. Each section discusses the history behind each part, mythology, it’s such an interesting and beautiful book, I’m going to spendshours trawling through this again and again, a must read, buy or borrow for fans of art or fantasy, if you’re both like me it’s just heavenly. If I could give 10 stars I would

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

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I absolutely loved reading this book. I was completely drawn into the topic and could not stop reading it.

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I loved the artwork chosen for this book.
Some beautiful, some whimsical, some deeply disturbing. It includes everything for Dali to Gaiman, while making sure to send nods to my personal favorites, which are Kinuko Craft and Brian Froud.

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This is a beautifully curated collection of both classic and contemporary artwork. The pictures are absolutely gorgeous and are not the normal popular pieces that you see everywhere, which I found incredibly refreshing.

I would highly recommend for both art and fantasy lovers alike, this is a great melding of fantasy lore, history, and art through the ages.

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✨ E-Arc provided by Quarto White Lion via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review ✨

The collection of art in this book are well thought out, span hundreds of years right up to 2022, and were just beautiful to look at.
Each section of history is entertaining, and the write ups for each piece of art were too, with a few laughs sprinkled in for good measure!
All round fabulous art book, need a physical copy for my coffee table.

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A gorgeous book full of beautiful illustrations that I will definitely be ordering once it is published. This book was full of interesting information and introduced me to many artists that were new to me in addition to old favourites.
I loved the variety and depth of the book and wouldn’t hesitate in recommending it.

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Just an incredibly stunning portrait of art and fantasy. Some of the most beautiful illustrations highlight the fantastical nature of art and additional information associated with it. I believe the curation of art is a form of art in itself and the author of this book has chosen some of the most exquisite forms of art I've seen. I would recommend this book to anyone who is trying to look for inspiration.

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I loved this.


This is such a beautiful read. Literally got the feelings I had as a child looking at pictures in my parents books for hours, the illustrations are absolutely wonderful and varying from a huge number of creatures from philosophy,dreams, religion, different worlds, realms, time zones everything.

I 100% plan to buy this and I urge everyone to do so as well. Whether you're an artist looking for inspiration like me or just want to stare at breathtaking pictures of fantastic beings of all sizes and abilities look no farther.

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"The Art of Fantasy" by S. Elizabeth is a wonderfully curated book that immerses readers in a world of fantastical art. From medieval masterpieces to contemporary gems, the collection spans generations, offering a rich berth of creativity. As a lover of art, I enjoyed poring over favorites like Evelyn De Morgan's "S.O.S." and John William Waterhouse's enchanting "A Mermaid." However, what truly surprised and thrilled me were the discoveries of new talents, including Eric Velhagen's captivating "Little Wings and Heavy Hooves," James Gurney's evocative "Garden of Hope," and Julie Dillon's mesmerizing "Medusa II." The diverse selection also features works from iconic artists like H.R. Gieger, Yuko Shimizu, Kiki Smith, and the legendary Alphonse Mucha, one of my all-time favorites.

S. Elizabeth's curation introduced me to a treasure trove of artists that I now hold dear. Her prose adds to the enchantment, weaving a lithe and magical narrative that accompanies each artwork. The descriptions are both intriguing and quirky, drawing us deeper into the fantastical realms depicted. I noticed that the longer chapter intros, which delve into the profound human fascination with fantasy, were reminiscent of the profound insights found in Clarissa Pinkola-Estes' "Women Who Run with the Wolves." I was elated to find a significant representation of women artists, a rarity in art history, and it warmed my heart to see their incredible contributions celebrated.

Many thanks go to NetGalley and Frances Lincoln Publishing for providing me with an advanced e-reader copy of this awe-inspiring book. As an artist and art enthusiast, I cannot wait to buy the physical edition for my permanent collection. "The Art of Fantasy" is more than a compilation of art; it is a wellspring of inspiration that will undoubtedly fuel my creativity for years to come.

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