Johann Henry Fuseli's 1781 canvas The Nightmare is an enduring and iconic image that has resisted classification and reinterpretation ever since its seminal unveiling in 1782. First exhibited at the Royal Academy in London, Fuseli's imagined reproduction of a bad dream captured the public and cultural imagination of late eighteenth-century England, remaining firmly engrained in the popular mindset well into the nineteenth century following the circulation of an affordable print reproduction. The Nightmare is now a recognizable icon in Western painting, capturing the ominous manifestations of the mental world and prefiguring Freud's interpretations of dreams by over a century. Sensational and bombastic by the standards of the time, Fuseli's work is more comparable to popular caricature than fine art. Yet, The Nightmare itself became the departure point for cartoons and caricature, impacting upon on both the Academic tradition of English art and capturing the imagination of the masses. A printmaker himself Fuseli was endowed with a uniquely entrepreneurial spirit for circulating his work although, not realising the popular appeal of The Nightmare, he allowed other printmakers to make a great deal of money from the reproductions they pressed of this masterwork.

Real Oil Paints, Real Brushes, Real Artists, Real Art. The Certificate of Authenticity which arrives with every painting provides an assurance and verifies the authenticity of the hand painted fine art reproduction you purchased. Each oil painting is created by hand using only the finest canvas and oil paints available.

Important Notes About Your Painting:

If you have any request to alter your reproduction of The Nightmare 1781, you must email us after placing your order and we'll have an artist contact you. If you have another image of The Nightmare 1781 that you would like the artist to work from, please include it as an attachment. Otherwise, we will reproduce the above image for you exactly as it is.

• Ordered without a frame, it will be delivered in protective tube within 21-28 business days.
• When ordering the painting framed - allow additional 5-7 days for delivery. The painting will arrive ready to hang.
• Every painting is painted by an experienced artist.
• No printing or digital imaging techniques are used.
• 100% hand painted oil painting on artist grade canvas.
• Painting comes with a Certificate of Authenticity.
• 365 days Money Back Guarantee.
• Enjoy Free Express Shipping.
• Hand crafted means unique to every owner. Each canvas reproduction may vary slightly in brush details due to the nature of being hand painted, so no two paintings are the same.
• For those customers who appreciate quality and want to own an artist's work as it was meant to be enjoyed we are here for you.

Free shipping is included in the price of the painting. Once the painting is ready and dry enough to ship, we will roll it and ship it in a sturdy cardboard tube.

We always ship express via courier to ensure your order reaches you as soon as possible - normally within three business days. The total delivery time from the moment you place your order until the package is delivered to your door is normally between three to four weeks.

If, in the unlikely event you were dissatisfied with the painting after reviewing it in person, it can be returned for a full refund for up to 365 days after delivery.

When you receive the painting; you are free to return it for more revisions or else for a full refund minus our actual shipping cost -- which is, on average, $25 per painting.

1st Art Gallery provides a full warranty covering manufacturing and material defects for paintings purchased from our website. The warranty covers damage for normal use. Damage caused by incidents such as accidents or inappropriate use are not covered.

Depending on the degree of damage to the warranted painting, it will either be repaired or replaced. This warranty service is provided free of charge.