Enchanted: A History of Fantasy Illustration
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June 12 through October 31, 2021
Fictional worlds of magic and adventure come to life through fantasy illustration. Myths, legends, fables, romance, and epic battles involving swords and sorcery occur in a world unfamiliar to us. Unlike science fiction, which is based on fact, fantasy presents an imaginative reality built on universal themes—heroes defeating fire-breathing dragons, angels and demons engaging in combat, and mythological tales of love and loss.
For thousands of years, mankind has depicted analogous fantastic themes in numerous cultures. Noted scholar of mythology, Joseph Campbell, claimed that mankind creates fantasy to help us understand the universe and our existence, delineate good and evil, and teach us how to thrive through adversity. Representations of dreams and nightmares, fictional creatures, and gods and monsters are made real through visual portrayals in fantasy art. Fantasy illustration interprets the imagination of the “undiscovered self.” In a 1929 interview, theoretical physicist Albert Einstein asserted, “Imagination is more important than knowledge. Knowledge is limited. Imagination encircles the world.”
Donato Giancola, St. George and the Dragon, 2010, © Donato Giancola
Reserve your space now
for when the exhibit opens in June 2021.
Enchanted: A History of Fantasy Illustration explores fantasy archetypes from the Middle Ages to today. The exhibition will present the immutable concepts of mythology, fairy tales, fables, good versus evil, and heroes and villains through paintings, etchings, drawings, and digital art created by artists from long ago to illustrators working today. Mythology explores the adventures of Apollo and Thor, Perseus rescuing Andromeda with the head of Medusa, and the labours of Hercules; fairy tales depict the worlds of elves, fairies, and mermaids, and conjure dreams of Little Nemo in Slumberland, Alice in Wonderland, and Cinderella; heroes and villains follow the exploits of Arthurian legends, Prince Valiant, Conan the Barbarian, and The Lord of the Rings; and haunting images of sorcerers and witches, and battles between angels and demons embody the struggle between good and evil.
ABOUT THE ARTISTS
Artists showcased in the exhibition include Jules Joseph Lefebvre, William-Adolphe Bouguereau, Willem van Mieris, Richard Doyle, Gustave Doré, Palmer Cox, Arthur Rackham, Maxfield Parrish, Jessie Willcox Smith, Joseph Clement Coll, N.C. Wyeth, Willy Pogany, Howard Pyle, J. Allen St. John, Hannes Bok, Dean Cornwell, Virgil Finlay, Hal Foster, Frank Frazetta, Kelly Freas, Roy Krenkel, Wayne Barlowe, Julie Bell, Thomas Blackshear, Brom, Kinuko Craft, Tony DiTerlizzi, Terry & Rachel Dodson, Jeff Easley, Bob Eggleton, Larry Elmore, Scott Fischer, Brian Froud, Donato Giancola, Gary Gianni, James Gurney, Scott Gustafson, Greg Hildebrandt, Jeff Jones, Gregory Manchess, Iain McCaig, Mike Mignola, Jean-Baptiste Monge, David Trampier, Boris Vallejo, Charles Vess, James Warhola, Michael Whelan, Allen Williams, Mark Zug, Scott Brundage, Wesley Burt, Bastien Lecouffe-Deharme, Nico Delort, Anna Dittmann, Justin Gerard, Cory Godbey, Piotr Jabłoński, Tyler Jacobson, Yoann Lossel, Victo Ngai, Karla Ortiz, Anthony Palumbo, David Palumbo, Alessandra Pisano, Annie Stegg Gerard, Eric Velhagen, and many more.
IMAGES
Tyler Jacobson, Red Dragon, 2014, © Tyler Jacobson
© Wizards of the Coast LLC
Anna Dittmann, I Dreamt I Could Fly, 2017, © Anna Dittmann
James Gurney, Garden of Hope, 1994, © James Gurney
Scott Gustafson, A Mad Tea Party, 1993, © Scott Gustafson
Nico Delort, The Blessing of Athena, 2015, © Nico Delort
Scott Brundage, Stacy McGee Takes on the Horror, 2013, © Scott Brundage
Rose O’Neill, The Kewpies and their Fairy Cousin, 1916
Brom, The Night Mare, 2017, © Brom
Jean-Baptiste Monge, The Kensington Lovers, 2006, © Jean-Baptiste Monge
Gary Gianni, Daenerys Targaryen, 2019, © Gary Gianni
JURIED EXHIBITION
Land of Enchantment
A Fantastical Outdoor Sculpture Exhibition
July 10 through October 31, 2021
IMAGE: Arthur Rackham, Storyteller, ca.1905
VIRTUAL SYMPOSIA: Fantasy Illustration
Enchanted: Mythology and Fairy Tales (October 22 and 23, 2021)
Enchanted: Epic Adventures in Fantasy Illustration (June – Past)
Explore the art and history of fantasy illustration and the mythical, mystical, folkloric artworks by masterful artists who are leading the way in this popular genre. Often inspired by the fantastical in literature, fantasy art has been prominent through the centuries in medieval, mannerist, magic realist, romantic, and surrealist imagery. The field’s historical underpinnings and inspirations will be the subject of conversation by exhibition curator Jesse Kowalski as well as prominent practitioners whose art is featured in Enchanted: A History of Fantasy Illustration.
VIDEOS
RELATED EVENTS
MEDIA
The Illustrator’s Studio Podcast
This podcast series will features a number of artists that will be showcased in the Enchanted exhibition. Learn More>
PRESS & RECOGNITION
Photo story on the “Enchanted: A History of Fantasy Illustration” July 1, 2021 Locus
Here Be Dragons: The Art of Fantasy Illustration by Rebecca Rego Barry June 28, 2021 Art & Object
“Enchanted: A History Of Fantasy Illustration” At The Norman Rockwell Museum – WAMC Interview with Jesse Kowalski June 25, 2021 WAMC
Enchanted – A History of Fantasy Illustration at the Norman Rockwell Museum by Donato Giancola June 9, 2021 Muddy Colors
Norman Rockwell Museum Road Trip! by Scott Fischer May 11, 2021 Muddy Colors
2021 Locus Awards Top Ten Finalists May 1, 2021 Locus Magazine
Catalogue Review by Illustrator James Gurney September 29, 2020 Gurney Journey
New & Notable Books September 23, 2020 Locus Magazine
Latest Products July 30, 2020 Buds Art Books
New England Magazine March 13, 2020 12 of the best exhibitions in New England this Spring
Broadway World Boston January 8, 2020 World Premiere Exhibition Traces Fantasy Illustration Through Five Centuries at Norman Rockwell Museum
Norman Rockwell Museum Press Release January 8, 2020 World Premiere Exhibition Traces Fantasy Illustration through Five Centuries
RELATED PRODUCTS
LAND OF ENCHANTMENT Custom Print
Starting at $35.00
VENUE(S)
Norman Rockwell Museum, Stockbridge, MA June 12 through October 31, 2021
Hunter Museum of American Art, Chattanooga, TN May 20, 2022 through September 5, 2022
Flint Institute of Arts, Flint, MI September 23, 2022 through January 8, 2023
HOST THIS EXHIBITION
Contact Information:
| Complete Facts | |
|---|---|
| Fee: | To Be Determined |
| Contents: | Included are approximately 100 original artworks; paintings; prints, drawings and digital art; video interviews; exhibition catalogue; introductory and informational panels; and object/extended identification labels. For information regarding digital components, contact Rich Bradway, 413.931.2230 or rbradway@nrm.org. |
| Security: | All works must be within sight of a trained security officer/staff member at all times during public hours. |
| Space Requirements: | Approx. 3500 square feet |
| Shipping: | Air ride, Climate controlled |
| Insurance: | All risk fine arts, wall to wall |
DIRECTIONS
Norman Rockwell Museum
9 Glendale Road Route 183
Stockbridge, MA 01262
413-931-2221
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