A prominent Romantic artist, Henry Fuseli (1747 – 1825) regarded horrifying and grotesque subjects as fascinating and beautiful. Originally trained to be a priest, Fuseli instead became an artist, impassioned by the works of Michelangelo, whose style he strove to replicate during his career. A major portion of his works depicted scenes from Shakespeare and Milton, powerfully conveyed in his intense, imaginative style. Disturbing and erotic, “The Nightmare” was his best-known painting. It solidified his popularity as an artist, and has been reproduced in countless contexts. Ahead of his time, Fuseli strongly impacted the Expressionists and Surrealists.

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