Fantasy art, then and now

Some recent 3-D work for clients of mine have left my computer littered with modeling programs. I figured I might use them to create some fantasy art, because there's so much you can do in that genre with today's software — just look at the Lord of the Rings movies. Fantasy art is the sci-fi, magical genre of dragons, wizards, fairies and other fantastical and mythical creatures. For an example of a computer gen fairy I've made, check out the home page of iSprites.com, my severely neglected software development company.

So anyway, I was thinking about different projects to work on, and looking at other people's work for ideas, when it donned on me that fantasy art goes way back. In fact, I think John William Waterhouse (1849-1917) is the grandaddy of fantasy art. Waterhouse was most known for his paintings of female characters from mythology and literature. Many of his paintings, including A Mermaid (1901, pictured left) would certainly be considered fantasy art if presented as such today. The Sorceress (1913) could grace any Dungeons and Dragons novel. Many of his paintings share similar qualities.

The fantasy aspect in Waterhouse's work obviously comes from the mythological subject matter and his focus on the feminine. Fantasy art shouldn't be confused with sexual fantasy. It's more about dragons, fairies, mythology and folklore. Still, actual mythology is full of the feminine, and isn't shy about sex. Likewise, modern fantasy art, especially work by Luis Royo and others, is among the more popular pop-art erotic paintings.

I don't think any of John William Waterhouse's contemporaries were doing anything remotely similar. I think his work is pretty unique for the period and certainly contributes to modern fantasy art.

John William Waterhouse Gallery