Fantasy Art Masterpieces

Fantasy art, a vibrant blend of myth, muscle, and alluring maidens, first gained prominence in 1923 with the launch of Weird Tales magazine. The genre was reinvigorated in the 1960s, with the rise of The Lord of the Rings, Conan the Barbarian paperbacks featuring Frank Frazetta's iconic covers, and the emergence of fantasy psychedelia in the late '60s. The 1970s saw a surge in popularity, driven by the role-playing game Dungeons & Dragons, the groundbreaking French magazine Métal Hurlant, and the release of the first Star Wars film. During this decade, the number of active fantasy artists peaked.

In the 1990s, a new generation of fans discovered the genre through fantasy trading card games, leading to a renewed and widespread interest in the art form. Today, Frank Frazetta's oil paintings, when they occasionally come to market, have sold for over $5 million. Fans eagerly line up at Comic-Cons to meet renowned artists such as Boris Vallejo, Rodney Matthews, Greg Hildebrandt, Michael Whelan, and Philippe Druillet, while also honoring the legacies of the late HR Giger, Jeffrey Catherine Jones, and Frazetta.

TASCHEN's History of Fantasy Art aims to provide an immersive dive into this dynamic and imaginative genre. The book features original paintings, accompanied by preparatory sketches, sculptures, calendars, magazines, and paperback books, offering a comprehensive exploration of the art form. Insightful biographies go beyond the surface-level information found on Wikipedia, providing a more accurate and eye-opening look into the lives and creative processes of the featured artists.

This comprehensive collection is poised to become the definitive guide to the world of fantasy art, serving as an exquisite and informative resource for years to come. Readers can expect to be captivated by the vibrant illustrations, intrigued by the behind-the-scenes stories, and inspired by the boundless creativity that has defined this genre for nearly a century.

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