The nightmare

A compendium of various artworks in which dreams are depicted, including works by Blake, Grandville, Hokusai, Redon and Dürer.

THE NIGHTMARE, Henry Fuseli, 1781, Oil on canvas, Detroit Institute of Arts, Detroit, MI, USA

Interior and exterior sets and settings, themes and motifs, monsters and menaces, even dialogue and sound effects—all these horror movie elements have been suggested by famous paintings. Inspired by the works of acclaimed artists, horror movie directors have added audio, visual, and dramatic effects to their own creative visions, enhancing their artistic works with those

Henry Fuseli - The Nightmare (c.1781)

Witches, gargoyles, demons, crucifixions … William Mortensen’s grotesque photographs are being reassessed – with a new book of his life and work, republication of his own book on photography and psychology, and exhibitions in New York, Los Angeles and Seattle. All images by William Mortensen