Answer:
The term "magical realism" was first used by the German art critic Franz Roh in the 1920s to describe a style of painting that combined realistic elements with fantastical or dreamlike imagery. However, it is important to note that the term gained broader recognition and popularity when applied to literature, particularly the works of Latin American authors such as Gabriel García Márquez and Jorge Luis Borges, who incorporated magical or supernatural elements into their storytelling. While Roh initially used the term in relation to painting, its association with literature has become more prevalent over time.