Masterpieces of Fantasy Art. 40th Ed

Fantasy Art, this colorful blend of myth, muscles, and sexy maidens, dates back to 1923, the year Weird Tales magazine was published. The genre was revived in the 1960s when The Lord of the Rings was re-released, Conan the Barbarian embarked on numerous adventures in paperback editions with cover art by Frank Frazetta, and Roger Dean adorned album covers with psychedelic fantasy scenes. However, the definitive breakthrough came in the 1970s with the role-playing game Dungeons & Dragons, the brilliant French magazine Métal Hurlant, and the first film in the long Star Wars series. The number of active artists peaked during this decade. With the rise of trading and collectible cards in the 1990s, a new generation of fans discovered the genre. Frank Frazetta's oil paintings have recently fetched prices of over 5 million dollars when they even hit the market, and fans line up at comic cons to meet Boris Vallejo, Rodney Matthews, Greg Hildebrandt, Michael Whelan, and Philippe Druillet, while also paying tribute to deceased icons like H.R. Giger, Jeffrey Catherine Jones, and Frazetta – all of whom are represented in this volume. This book showcases the original paintings, each complemented by design sketches, sculptures, calendars, magazines, and paperbacks, providing deep insights into this dynamic, imaginative genre. Informative biographies paint a more accurate and meaningful picture of the artists than any Wikipedia entry. Already, History of Fantasy Art is considered the most informative guide to this popular and fascinating subject.

About the series: TASCHEN is 40! Since we began our work as cultural treasure hunters in 1980, TASCHEN has stood for affordable, high-quality, and sometimes audacious publications. Whether it's art or body culture – we make it possible for bookworms around the world to enjoy.