The Popularity of Fairy Art
Faeries (or fairies) have long been a popular subject for artists, especially those inclined towards fantasy or surrealism. Today, artists such as Brian Froud create books, paintings, calendars and even oracle decks all based on faeries, elves, trolls, leprechauns and other "Little Folk." Movies such as Lord of the Rings have only increased the popularity of these mythic creatures. fairy art is not, however, a new fad. In Victorian England, many renowned artists also painted faeries, though more in a classical style than today’s fantasy art. Some of the more popular artists of that period were the illustrator Arthur Rackham, Richard Dadd, Francis Danby, John Anster Fitzgerald and Edward Robert Hughes. Some of their work was inspired by Shakespeare’s writing, others by nature. Regarding the latter, yes, some people who paint faeries actually claim to be inspired by what they have seen with their own eyes!