What is Gothic art? To me it's the tragic and the resplendent, the monstrous and the angelic, the ominous and the romantic. It's this contrast of the horrible and the beautiful, whether in content or execution, that makes a work Gothic. A theme so well illustrated by John William Waterhouse's Lady Shalott, drifting down the river to her death in search of her love Lancelot, or John Everett Millais's depiction of Ophelia, floating there amongst the reeds, so dreamy, so beautiful, and...oh, so dead. And don't those images just make you want to slap on some Gregorian chants, light a few rose scented candles, and start painting? But, as much fun as painting beautiful dead women can be, Gothic art is in no way confined to such. The ghastly and the macabre all have their place, but sometimes it is simply the way such subjects are handled--imagine the Frankenstein monster standing amongst a rose garden if you will.

Foreword

Introduction

Femmes Fatales

Men in Black

Gothic Elegance

Industrial Goth

Lurking Horror

Dark Fantasy

Creepy Creations

Grim Comics