Gothic Fantasy Art

Gothic fantasy art is a relatively new artistic concept. While it has roots in traditional Gothic art, the cultural aspects of modern Gothic fantasy art are much different than its ancestry. Today Gothic fantasy art combines some of the grandeur of Gothic art with dark imagery that's based in a magical reality. This type of artwork now serves as a portal to a world of sinister fairy tales and macabre beauty. This article will give you an overview of the history and different styles of Gothic fantasy art.

History

Traditional Gothic art is is a term that is applied to paintings, buildings and sculpture. It was popular from the 12th to 15th centuries in Europe. One of the most common themes in Gothic painting was highly decorated and large backgrounds. Intricate patterns and details were a primary focus of Gothic art as was placing figures in environments that were imposing .

Gothic fantasy art did not truly come into fruition until the early 1990s. Shifting attitudes about fantasy worlds began to take focus. The movie version of "Bram Stoker's Dracula" and the Anne Rice vampire novels brought vampires and dark fantasy into the collective consciousness. Role-playing games started creating settings that were inspired by the macabre. Ravenloft provided a Gothic fantasy setting with vampires to the more traditional fantasy world of "Dungeons and Dragons."

This change in focus allowed fantasy artists to begin exploring a new medium. Fantasy paintings that once drew their influence from "The Lord of The Rings" were now drawing influence from HP Lovecraft and grim, dark landscapes. Soon a new genre of Fantasy art was born.

Function

The purpose of Gothic fantasy art is to inspire a different emotional response than straightforward fantasy art. There is a slightly more dangerous and hopeless feel to these paintings. Heroes are thrust into situations that compromise their moral integrity. Villains are macabre but sympathetic as if the line between hero and villain has become blurred by the hellish worlds they inhabit.

Types

There are several types of Gothic fantasy art. While these different branches do not have "official" categories in the classic sense, there are distinct styles or families of Gothic fantasy art:

Dark fairy fales. This style of Gothic fantasy art incorporates traditional fairy tale imagery, witches, fairies, spirits, and young vulnerable women or men. All of these classic archetypes have been twisted with grim humor, painful melancholy or graphic horror.

Vampire art. Vampires have been synonymous with the contemporary Gothic movement. This type of artwork relies on the depiction of vampires not only as evil beasts but also as mournful victims who bear their curse with determination and sadness.

Dark fantasy. This style of Gothic fantasy art places medieval fantasy heroes and heroines in a world that is crueler than traditional fantasy. Hopelessness, madness and violence are common themes.

Significance

As a relatively new sub-genre of fantasy art, Gothic fantasy art has quickly risen in prestige and popularity. Artists such as Jessica Galbreth, Todd Lockwood and Brom have pulled Gothic fantasy art into the mainstream. These artists continue to garner critical and popular respect for Gothic fantasy art.

Misconceptions

One of the major misconceptions about Gothic fantasy art is that it must take place in a Eastern European vampire-ridden fantasy world. While artwork that incorporates those elements would certainly be considered Gothic fantasy art, it is not necessarily a mandate. Any work that deals with both fantastical elements of any time period or setting with an intensely emotional or brooding mood can be considered Gothic fantasy art. The work of Brom is a prime example where many images of the Wild West have been created with a Gothic mindset.

Resources

• The Work of Brom, a Gothic Fantasy Art Master.
• A Directory of Many Different Gothic Fantasy Artists.