Symbolism Painting

A LOOK AT

A BRIEF LOOK AT THE SYMBOLISM ART MOVEMENT

Symbols can take shape in many different visual forms and art, they play a significant role in relaying the artist’s intended message about the artwork.

WHAT IS SYMBOLISM?

A Symbolism art definition also encompasses the influence of poetry, spirituality, and creative imagination as the premise of an artwork or poem.

SYMBOLISM ART

THE KEY INFLUENCES IN THE SYMBOLISM MOVEMENT

Charles Pierre Baudelaire was a popular French poet, translator, essayist, and art critic, who was well-respected and celebrated for his expert pen in balancing rhyme and rhythm in poetry.

LES FLEURS DU MAL (1857)

Parnassianism refers to a literary style that occurred during the positivist period in the 19th century just before the emergence of Symbolism. Symbolism retained the notion of wordplay from Parnassianism.

PARSNASSIANISM

The symbolist manifesto was published in 1886 by Jean Moréas outlined the three main figures of Symbolism, which covered Charles Baudelaire, Paul Verlaine, and Stéphane Mallarmé.

THE SYMBOLIST MANIFESTO

Symbolism in art cannot be discussed without noting the influence of taboo subjects such as eroticism as well as mysticism and religion.

SPIRITUALITY AND FIN DE SIECLE

A BRIEF LOOK AT THE SYMBOLISM ART MOVEMENT

The Eye Like a Strange Balloon Mounts Toward Infinity (1882)  by Odilon Redon

Masks Confronting Death (1888)  by James Ensor

The Three Brides (1893)  by Jan Toorop

Jupiter et Sémélé (1894 – 1895)  by Gustave Moreau

Le Réveil, Her Mother’s Kiss (1899)  by Eugène Carrière

The Dance of Life (1899 – 1900)  by Edvard Munch

A few other key Symbolist painters and artists to take note of include creatives such as Mikhail Vrubel, Paul Gauguin, Hugo Simberg, Lascăr Vorel, Alfred Kubin, and Anselmo Bucci. 

OTHER KEY SYMBOLIST ARTISTS