Summary
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. He has won many Chesley Awards and other honors for his illustrations.
Donato Giancola | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1967 (age 56–57) |
| Nationality | American |
| Known for | Fantasy art |
| Notable work | Magic: The Gathering |
| Awards | World Fantasy Award, Chesley Awards, Hugo Award for Best Professional Artist |
Biography edit
Donato Giancola was born and raised in Colchester, near Burlington, in the state of Vermont. He has lived 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 edit
Chesley Awards edit
Giancola has been awarded a Chesley Award from the Association of Science Fiction & Fantasy Artists in the following years:
- 1997: Best Cover Illustration, Paperback[9]
- 1999, 2001: Best Product Illustration[9]
- 2002: 4 awards inc Best Cover Illustration[9]
- 2004: Best Cover Illustration[9]
- 2005: joint winner Best Cover Illustration[9]
- 2006: Best Cover Illustration[9]
- 2007: Best Monochrome Work[9]
- 2008: 5 awards inc Best Cover Illustration[9]
- 2009: 2 awards inc Best Cover Illustration[9]
- 2011: Best Interior Illustration[9]
- 2014: Best Color Work[9]
- 2015: Best Product Illustration[9]
- 2016: Best Color Work[9]
- 2017: Best Product Illustration[9]
Other edit
- 2004 Art Renewal Center, International Salon, first place, figurative category.[10]
- 2004 World Fantasy Award for Best Artist.[11]
- 2006, 2007, 2009 Hugo Award for Best Professional Artist; also nominated six times.[12]
- 2008 Hamilton King Award for Excellence, Society of Illustrators.[citation needed]
- 2024 Tolkien Society Award for Best Artwork for "Frodo's Inheritance".[13]
Art exhibitions edit
- Donato Giancola: From Middle Earth to Outer Space and Beyond, Huntsville Museum of Art, 2013-2014.
- Magical Adventures: Fantasy Art from The Frank Collection, University of Maryland, College Park, 2004.
- Illustrators, The Society of Illustrators Annual Exhibition of Illustration, 128 East 63rd Street, New York, New York. 1999-2004.
- The Art of 'The Lord of the Rings', Exhibition of book cover and interior illustration, Bailey/Howe Library, University of Vermont, 2002.
Books edit
- Middle-Earth: Visions of a Modern Myth (2010), Underwood Books.
- Middle-Earth: Journeys in Myth and Legend (2019), Dark Horse Books. ISBN 978-1-50671-086-0
References edit
- ^ 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."
- ^ a b Troy, Jeanne (July 18, 2007). "Sci-fi painter Donato Giancola's work on display at SVAC", Bennington Banner.
- ^ Magic the Gathering, April 2003 Interview, 'Behind the Canvas: Donato Giancola'
- ^ "Donato Giancola - MAGIC: THE GATHERING ART". Archived from the original on 2001-07-19.
- ^ Alesia, Tom (August 18, 2000). "Fantasy: the Gathering", Wisconsin State Journal, p. F1.
- ^ (July 22, 2008). "'Fantasy' master Giancola debuts workshop at SVAC", Bennington Banner.
- ^ "'It Ain't Over Till It's Over' - Newsroom" (Press release). about.usps.com. Retrieved 2021-01-16.
- ^ LaSala, Jeff (22 April 2019). "Donato Giancola Is the Caravaggio of Middle-earth". Tor.com. Retrieved 11 November 2023.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n "Past Winners of the Chesley Awards". ASFA. Retrieved 21 April 2024.
- ^ First International ARC Salon Competition
- ^ World Fantasy Convention (2010). "Award Winners and Nominees". Archived from the original on 2010-12-01. Retrieved 4 Feb 2011.
- ^ "2006 Hugo Awards". World Science Fiction Society. Archived from the original on 2011-05-07. Retrieved 2010-04-19.
- ^ "2024 Tolkien Society Awards". Locus Online. 2024-04-18. Archived from the original on 2024-04-18. Retrieved 2024-04-19.
External links edit
- Donato Giancola Official website
- Works by Donato Giancola at the Art Renewal Center
- Donato Giancola page at The Association of Science Fiction & Fantasy Artists[permanent dead link]
- The Cover Art of Donato Giancola
- SF Artists: Donato Giancola wiki profile with list of covers
- Donato Giancola at the Internet Speculative Fiction Database
- "Donato Giancola :: Pen & Paper RPG Database". Archived from the original on 2007-10-07. Retrieved 2009-02-22.
- Donato Giancola's Gallery with biography and artbooks on Inside Your ART