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Art of the Occult

A Visual Sourcebook for the Modern Mystic
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( 467 ratings, 62 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
Art of the Occult by S. Elizabeth delves into the mysterious and enchanting world where art and mysticism converge. It showcases a collection of occult-themed artworks spanning different eras and styles, exploring how artists use mystical and otherworldly themes to inspire creativity. This book illuminates the connections between art and the esoteric, offering insight into how occult thought has influenced the visual arts.
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Format: Hardback
$4500
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

You might enjoy this book if you’re fascinated by the intersection of art and mysticism. It offers a visually enthralling journey into how various occult themes have influenced and inspired artists across different eras and movements. This book is perfect for those intrigued by the mysterious and esoteric elements captured within art.

Book Hero thinking about your next read

A visually rich sourcebook featuring eclectic artwork (from the late-nineteenth century to today) inspired and informed by the mystical, esoteric and occult.

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

A visual feast of eclectic artwork informed and inspired by spiritual beliefs, magical techniques, mythology, and otherworldly experiences. Mystic and occult practices date back centuries, but why do we still chase the esoteric? Over the past two hundred years, image-makers have been drawn to these unknown spheres and have created curious artworks that transcend time and place - but what is it that attracts artists to these magical realms?

From theosophy and kabbalah, to the zodiac and alchemy; spiritualism and ceremonial magic, to the elements and sacred geometry - The Art of the Occult will introduce major occult themes and showcase the artists who have been influenced and led by them. Discover:

  • The symbolic and mythical images of the Pre-Raphaelites;
  • The automatic drawing of Hilma af Klint and Madge Gill;
  • Leonora Carrington’s surrealist interpretation of myth, alchemy, and kabbalah;
  • The theosophical practices of Mondrian and Kandinsky;
  • And more.

Featuring prominent, marginalised, and little-known artists, The Art of the Occult crosses mystical spheres in a bid to inspire and delight. Divided into thematic chapters (The Cosmos, Higher Beings, Practitioners), the book acts as an entertaining introduction to the art of mysticism - with short chapter introductions examining each practice, followed by a series of carefully curated artworks to discover.

The art of the occult has always existed in the margins but inspired the masses, and this book will spark curiosity in all fans of magic, mysticism, and the mysterious.

Series: Art in the Margins

View all
  • Art of Fantasy
    This beautiful, fully illustrated book presents a compendium of artworks throughout history which have been inspired by myth, fantasy, and the unreal. Artists have explored imaginary worlds and fantastical creatures for centuries, expressing the unreal and impossible, the mystical and mythical, via the medium of paint. But what draws them to the imaginary, the uncharted, and the unknown? Is it...
    Hardback
    $5500
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks
  • Art of the Occult
    A visual feast of eclectic artwork informed and inspired by spiritual beliefs, magical techniques, mythology, and otherworldly experiences. Mystic and occult practices date back centuries, but why do we still chase the esoteric? Over the past two hundred years, image-makers have been drawn to these unknown spheres and have created curious artworks that transcend time and place - but what...
    Hardback
    $4500
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks
  • Art of Darkness
    Throughout history, artists have been obsessed with darknessβ€”creating works that haunt and horrify, mesmerise and delight, and play on our innermost fears. Gentileschi took revenge with paint in Judith Slaying Holofernes while Bosch depicted fearful visions of Hell that still beguile. Victorian Britain became strangely obsessed with the dead, and in Norway, Munch explored anxiety and fear in one of...
    Hardback
    $5500
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks
  • The Art of the Unknown
    Pre-order
    The Art of the Unknown
    What lurks at the edges of human perception? Across time and cultures, artists have found themselves drawn to document encounters with forces and phenomena that defy comprehensionβ€”from ghostly manifestations and cosmic energies to twilight realms and parallel dimensions. In studios and sacred spaces, they've attempted to capture evidence of mysterious powers, alternative worlds, and the shadows that lurk just beyond...
    Hardback
    $5500
    Pre-order
    Out 1 Sep 2026

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

The Art of the Occult is celebrated for its rich collection of images from the Western occult tradition, appealingly presented to provoke both curiosity and contemplation. It highlights the crucial role of imagery across various beliefs and sects within the occult, showcasing a diverse array of both famous and lesser-known artists. The book is organised into thematic chapters, offering a visual exploration of mystical artistic interpretations.

Book Hero reading reviews

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780711248830

Publisher: Quarto Publishing PLC

Format: Hardback

Date Published: 13 October 2020

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Frances Lincoln

Illustration: 200 color illustrations

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Width: 171.0mm

Height: 224.0mm

Weight: 250g

Pages: 240

About the Author

S. Elizabeth (aka Mlle Ghoul) is a Florida-based writer specialising in art, the macabre and the supernatural. She is a staff writer at Haute Macabre and has written for 'Coilhouse', 'Dirge' and 'Death and the Maiden Blog'. S. Elizabeth was also the co-creator of The Occult Activity Book (vol 1 and 2) and runs two successful blogs: Ghoul Next Door (ghoulnextdoor.tumblr.com) and These Unquiet Things (unquietthings.com).

Also by S. Elizabeth

View all
  • Art of Fantasy
    This beautiful, fully illustrated book presents a compendium of artworks throughout history which have been inspired by myth, fantasy, and the unreal. Artists have explored imaginary worlds and fantastical creatures for centuries, expressing the unreal and impossible, the mystical and mythical, via the medium of paint. But what draws them to the imaginary, the uncharted, and the unknown? Is it...
    Hardback
    $5500
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks
  • Art of Darkness
    Throughout history, artists have been obsessed with darknessβ€”creating works that haunt and horrify, mesmerise and delight, and play on our innermost fears. Gentileschi took revenge with paint in Judith Slaying Holofernes while Bosch depicted fearful visions of Hell that still beguile. Victorian Britain became strangely obsessed with the dead, and in Norway, Munch explored anxiety and fear in one of...
    Hardback
    $5500
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks
  • The Art of the Unknown
    Pre-order
    The Art of the Unknown
    What lurks at the edges of human perception? Across time and cultures, artists have found themselves drawn to document encounters with forces and phenomena that defy comprehensionβ€”from ghostly manifestations and cosmic energies to twilight realms and parallel dimensions. In studios and sacred spaces, they've attempted to capture evidence of mysterious powers, alternative worlds, and the shadows that lurk just beyond...
    Hardback
    $5500
    Pre-order
    Out 1 Sep 2026

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