Donato Giancola
Born1967 (age 56–57)
NationalityAmerican
Known forFantasy art
Notable workMagic: The Gathering
AwardsWorld Fantasy Award, Chesley Awards, Hugo Award for Best Professional Artist

Donato Giancola (born 1967[1]) is an American artist specializing in narrative realism with science fiction and fantasy content, including images for Tolkien's Middle-earth.

Biography

Donato Giancola was born and raised in Colchester, near Burlington, in the state of Vermont. He currently resides in Brooklyn with his wife and two daughters.[2]

Giancola first majored in electrical engineering at the University of Vermont, but left for Syracuse University to seriously pursue painting in 1989. He graduated with a BFA in 1992.[2]

Giancola describes himself and his work as a "classical-abstract-realist working with science fiction and fantasy" and lists Hans Memling, Jan van Eyck, Velázquez, Caravaggio, Vermeer, Piet Mondrian, Rembrandt, Rubens and Titian as his favorite artists.[3]

Giancola has illustrated cards for the Magic: The Gathering collectible card game.[4] He has been described as a "cult hero" among fantasy collectible card game players.[5] In 2008, the Bennington Banner referred to him as "arguably the most popular and successful sci-fi/fantasy artist working today".[6]

In 2021 U.S. Postal Service announced that a "three ounce" stamp featuring Ursula K. Le Guin would be issued later that year, featuring a portrait of Le Guin based on a 2006 photograph, against a background scene from The Left Hand of Darkness, created by Giancola and art director Antonio Alcalá.[7] His paintings of J. R. R. Tolkien's fantasy world have been described as making him "the Caravaggio of Middle-earth".[8]

Honors

Giancola's work has won many awards and accolades with highlights including:

Art exhibitions

Books

References

  1. ^ Barron, James. "Stamps From Space, With Brooklyn Ties", The New York Times, May 24, 2011. Accessed December 7, 2023. "'I wasn’t even a single-celled organism at that point,' said Mr. Giancola, a Brooklyn artist who was not born until 1967."
  2. ^ a b Troy, Jeanne (July 18, 2007). "Sci-fi painter Donato Giancola's work on display at SVAC", Bennington Banner.
  3. ^ Magic the Gathering, April 2003 Interview, 'Behind the Canvas: Donato Giancola'
  4. ^ "Donato Giancola - MAGIC: THE GATHERING ART". Archived from the original on 2001-07-19.
  5. ^ Alesia, Tom (August 18, 2000). "Fantasy: the Gathering", Wisconsin State Journal, p. F1.
  6. ^ (July 22, 2008). "'Fantasy' master Giancola debuts workshop at SVAC", Bennington Banner.
  7. ^ "'It Ain't Over Till It's Over' - Newsroom" (Press release). about.usps.com. Retrieved 2021-01-16.
  8. ^ LaSala, Jeff (22 April 2019). "Donato Giancola Is the Caravaggio of Middle-earth". Tor.com. Retrieved 11 November 2023.
  9. ^ World Fantasy Convention (2010). "Award Winners and Nominees". Archived from the original on 2010-12-01. Retrieved 4 Feb 2011.
  10. ^ First International ARC Salon Competition

External links

World Fantasy Award—Artist
Authority control databases
Dungeons & Dragons
Categories