How do you picture a nightmare in 2D? Two words: Henry Fuseli. Fuseli’s famous “The Nightmare” is the epitome of night terror depiction: a lady on her back in her bed chamber either asleep or otherwise unconscious, with an unwanted visitor, a grotesque imp, squatting on her body. Perhaps the scariest part of all is the mysterious horse’s head looming into this array of bad dreams. Another similar painting of his was his version of the folk tale Hag, a nightmare spirit.
Henry Fuseli’s artwork often delves into the world of the subconscious and the supernatural. His pieces give the art viewer a mood not unlike one would feel while traveling through their own dreams. He was commissioned to illustrate Shakepeare’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” and offered a wonderfully fantastical portrayal, complete with his signature eeriness.
William Blake has said he was inspired by the work of Henry Fuseli and it shows. Blake was also one for the mysterious and fantastical. Both artists are worth checking into. Included below are some thumbnails of some of Henry Fuseli’s fantastic paintings.
But I must warn you, they may give you nightmares.
Leave a comment