Inspired by the art of Boris Vallejo, Goddess and Panther is available in two scales — 1/10 for collectible statue fans and 1/24 for miniature painters and 2 body options (SFW and NSFW).
As with much of Boris Vallejo’s work, there is limited publicly available information about the painting Goddess and Panther, despite its iconic fantasy imagery and technical brilliance. Painted in 1978, the composition features Vallejo’s signature elements: a muscular male hero, a sensuous female figure adorned with gold ornaments, and an exotic feline companion — all set against a backdrop that blends classical and fantastical motifs. The rich color palette, masterful anatomy, and dramatic staging are hallmarks of Vallejo’s contribution to the visual language of fantasy art in the 1970s and beyond.
Interestingly, this artwork wasn’t merely a personal or standalone piece; it was originally commissioned as the cover illustration for Brotan the Breeder by Dael Forest, published by Ballantine Books in 1979. This novel was the third installment in the Slaves of the Empire series, a line of sword-and-sorcery pulp fiction popular during the era. Vallejo’s image helped define the tone and world of the book, visually anchoring the reader in a universe of sensuality, strength, and imperial decadence — themes frequently explored in both the novels and Vallejo’s broader body of work.
The original painting, measuring 20 by 20 inches, resurfaced decades later and was auctioned on March 5, 2020, through Invaluable Auctions. It sold for $3,500, a modest sum considering Vallejo’s enduring influence on fantasy art. This sale highlights the continued collector interest in original fantasy illustrations from the golden age of paperback publishing — a time when artists like Vallejo shaped the public’s imagination as much as the authors themselves.
