European symbolism emerged in the late 19th century as a reaction to dominant artistic movements. It sought to express ideas and emotions through symbols and suggestive imagery, drawing inspiration from Romanticism while rejecting the objective approach of Realism.

Symbolist artists like Gustave Moreau and Odilon Redon created dreamlike works exploring mysticism, dreams, and mythology. They developed unique techniques such as color symbolism and allegorical imagery, influencing later movements like Surrealism and leaving a lasting impact on modern art.

Origins of European symbolism

• Emerged in the late 19th century as a reaction to the dominant artistic movements of the time
• Sought to express ideas and emotions through symbols and suggestive imagery rather than direct representation
• Influenced by philosophical and spiritual concepts, emphasizing the inner world of the artist

Influence of Romanticism

• Drew inspiration from Romantic emphasis on emotion, imagination, and individualism
• Incorporated Romantic themes of nature, mysticism, and the sublime
• Expanded on Romantic ideas of the artist as a visionary or prophet
• Embraced the concept of art as a means of accessing higher truths and realities

Reaction to Realism

• Rejected the objective, naturalistic approach of Realism and Naturalism
• Sought to depict the invisible, spiritual, and emotional aspects of existence
• Emphasized subjective interpretation and personal symbolism over literal representation
• Challenged the notion that art should mirror external reality

Literary symbolism connections

• Developed alongside and in close association with Symbolist poetry and literature
• Shared themes and techniques with writers like Stéphane Mallarmé and Paul Verlaine
• Explored the concept of correspondences between sensory experiences and spiritual states
• Often illustrated or interpreted Symbolist literary works in visual form

Key European symbolist artists

• Symbolist artists played a crucial role in shaping the movement's visual language and themes
• Their works often featured dreamlike imagery, mythological subjects, and complex allegories
• Influenced subsequent generations of artists and contributed to the development of modern art

Gustave Moreau

• French painter known for his elaborate mythological and religious scenes
• Incorporated intricate details and rich, jewel-like colors in his works
• Famous paintings include "Oedipus and the Sphinx" and "The Apparition"
• Taught at the École des Beaux-Arts, influencing younger artists like Henri Matisse
• Explored themes of femme fatale, mysticism, and the decadence of ancient civilizations

Odilon Redon

• French artist who worked in painting, printmaking, and pastels
• Known for his dark, mysterious imagery and exploration of the subconscious
• Created "noirs" (charcoal drawings) featuring strange, fantastical creatures
• Later works incorporated vibrant colors and floral imagery
• Influenced by literature and science, particularly Charles Darwin's theories

Gustav Klimt

• Austrian painter and key figure in the Vienna Secession movement
• Developed a highly decorative style incorporating gold leaf and intricate patterns
• Famous for works like "The Kiss" and portraits of Viennese society women
• Explored themes of sexuality, life cycles, and the human condition
• Influenced by Byzantine mosaics, Japanese prints, and Art Nouveau

Themes in European symbolism

• Symbolist art focused on expressing abstract ideas and emotions through visual metaphors
• Rejected literal representation in favor of suggestive, evocative imagery
• Sought to reveal hidden truths and explore the inner world of the human psyche

Mysticism and spirituality

• Explored religious and occult themes, often blending different spiritual traditions
• Depicted visionary experiences, spiritual revelations, and transcendent states
• Incorporated esoteric symbols and imagery from various mystical traditions
• Sought to express the ineffable and connect with higher realms of consciousness
• Influenced by Theosophy, Rosicrucianism, and other esoteric movements

Dreams and the unconscious

• Delved into the realm of dreams, nightmares, and the subconscious mind
• Anticipated later developments in psychology, particularly Freudian psychoanalysis
• Depicted surreal, dreamlike landscapes and figures
• Explored the blurred boundaries between reality and imagination
• Used symbolic imagery to represent psychological states and inner conflicts

Mythology and folklore

• Drew inspiration from classical mythology, medieval legends, and fairy tales
• Reinterpreted traditional stories to explore contemporary themes and ideas
• Created new mythologies and symbolic narratives
• Used mythological figures as archetypes to represent universal human experiences
• Incorporated elements from diverse cultural traditions (Greek, Celtic, Norse)

Symbolist techniques

• Symbolist artists developed unique approaches to convey their ideas and emotions
• Emphasized the power of suggestion over direct representation
• Sought to create a synesthetic experience, blending different sensory impressions

Use of color symbolism

• Employed color to evoke specific emotions and ideas rather than for naturalistic representation
• Developed personal color symbolism systems (blue for spirituality, red for passion)
• Used unexpected or non-naturalistic color schemes to create dreamlike atmospheres
• Explored the psychological and emotional impact of color combinations
• Influenced by theories of color and perception (Goethe's color theory)

Allegorical imagery

• Created complex visual narratives with multiple layers of meaning
• Used personifications of abstract concepts (Death, Love, Time)
• Incorporated symbolic objects and animals to represent ideas or emotions
• Developed personal iconography and recurring motifs in individual artists' works
• Drew inspiration from medieval allegories and Renaissance emblems

Distortion and abstraction

• Manipulated forms and proportions to express emotional or spiritual states
• Used elongated figures, exaggerated features, or simplified shapes
• Blurred the boundaries between realistic and abstract representation
• Employed flattened perspective and non-naturalistic spatial relationships
• Anticipated later developments in Expressionism and abstract art

European symbolism vs Impressionism

• Symbolism emerged partly as a reaction against the objectivity of Impressionism
• While both movements rejected academic traditions, they differed in their approach and goals
• Symbolism focused on inner visions, while Impressionism emphasized external perceptions

Emphasis on imagination

• Prioritized the artist's inner vision and subjective interpretation of reality
• Created fantastical, dreamlike scenes rather than depicting everyday life
• Used imagination to access higher truths and spiritual realms
• Rejected the Impressionist focus on capturing fleeting moments of light and atmosphere
• Sought to express eternal, universal truths through symbolic imagery

Rejection of naturalism

• Abandoned the pursuit of accurate, naturalistic representation
• Used distortion, stylization, and non-naturalistic color to convey ideas and emotions
• Created ambiguous, mysterious atmospheres rather than clearly defined spaces
• Incorporated fantastical elements and impossible juxtapositions
• Challenged the viewer's perception of reality and encouraged multiple interpretations

Subjective interpretation

• Emphasized the artist's personal vision and emotional response to the subject
• Encouraged viewers to engage in active interpretation of symbolic meanings
• Created works with multiple layers of meaning and ambiguity
• Rejected the Impressionist aim of objectively recording visual sensations
• Explored the relationship between the visible world and invisible realms of thought and emotion

Influence on later movements

• Symbolism had a profound impact on the development of modern art
• Its emphasis on subjective expression and exploration of the unconscious influenced many subsequent movements
• Symbolist ideas and techniques continued to resonate throughout the 20th century and beyond

Impact on Surrealism

• Surrealists drew inspiration from Symbolist exploration of dreams and the unconscious
• Adopted Symbolist techniques of juxtaposition and unexpected imagery
• Expanded on Symbolist interest in automatism and accessing the subconscious mind
• Shared Symbolist rejection of rational thought and embrace of the irrational
• Key Surrealists (Salvador Dalí, René Magritte) acknowledged Symbolist influences

Connections to Art Nouveau

• Art Nouveau adopted Symbolist emphasis on organic forms and nature imagery
• Shared interest in decorative, stylized representation and rejection of academic realism
• Both movements explored the integration of art and everyday life
• Symbolist artists (Alphonse Mucha) contributed to the development of Art Nouveau style
• Influenced the use of sinuous lines and floral motifs in Art Nouveau design

Legacy in modern art

• Symbolist emphasis on subjective expression influenced Expressionism and Abstract Expressionism
• Exploration of color symbolism impacted Fauvism and other color-focused movements
• Symbolist interest in spirituality and the unseen influenced artists like Wassily Kandinsky
• Techniques of distortion and abstraction paved the way for non-representational art
• Symbolist ideas about the role of the artist as visionary continued to resonate in avant-garde movements

National variations

• Symbolism manifested differently across various European countries
• Each national tradition incorporated local cultural influences and artistic heritage
• While sharing common themes, national variations developed distinct styles and preoccupations

French Symbolism

• Centered around literary figures like Stéphane Mallarmé and Paul Verlaine
• Emphasized musicality in both poetry and visual art
• Explored themes of decadence, ennui, and the femme fatale
• Key artists included Gustave Moreau, Odilon Redon, and Pierre Puvis de Chavannes
• Influenced by earlier French Romantic painters (Delacroix) and writers (Baudelaire)

Russian Symbolism

• Emerged as part of the broader Silver Age of Russian culture
• Incorporated elements of Russian folklore, Orthodox mysticism, and apocalyptic visions
• Explored themes of national identity and spiritual renewal
• Key artists included Mikhail Vrubel, Viktor Borisov-Musatov, and Konstantin Somov
• Influenced by both Western European Symbolism and Russian literary traditions

Belgian Symbolism

• Developed a distinctive style blending Symbolist themes with elements of Realism
• Explored themes of death, melancholy, and the mystical aspects of everyday life
• Incorporated influences from Flemish Renaissance painting and medieval art
• Key artists included Fernand Khnopff, James Ensor, and Félicien Rops
• Often featured introspective, psychologically charged portraits and landscapes

Symbolist literature and art

• Symbolism originated in literature before spreading to visual arts
• Close collaboration between poets and artists characterized the movement
• Explored the concept of synaesthesia, blending different sensory experiences

Baudelaire's influence

• Charles Baudelaire's poetry, especially "Les Fleurs du Mal," inspired many Symbolist artists
• Introduced the concept of correspondences between different senses and experiences
• Explored themes of urban life, decadence, and spiritual longing
• His ideas about the role of the artist as a "seer" influenced Symbolist philosophy
• Visual artists (Odilon Redon) created works directly inspired by Baudelaire's poems

Illustration of poetry

• Many Symbolist artists created illustrations for Symbolist poetry collections
• Developed visual equivalents for poetic metaphors and symbols
• Explored the relationship between text and image in book design
• Notable examples include Aubrey Beardsley's illustrations for Oscar Wilde's "Salome"
• Created standalone artworks inspired by or responding to specific poems

Synesthesia in art

• Explored the concept of blending different sensory experiences in art
• Attempted to create visual equivalents for musical or poetic experiences
• Used color, line, and composition to evoke non-visual sensations
• Influenced by scientific theories about sensory perception and psychology
• Artists like Wassily Kandinsky developed theories linking color to sound and emotion

Symbolism in different media

• Symbolist ideas and techniques were applied across various artistic disciplines
• Each medium offered unique possibilities for expressing Symbolist concepts
• Artists often worked in multiple media, exploring different aspects of Symbolism

Symbolist painting

• Developed a distinctive visual language of dreamlike imagery and allegorical scenes
• Employed techniques like sfumato and non-naturalistic color to create mysterious atmospheres
• Explored new approaches to composition, often using flattened or ambiguous space
• Experimented with different paint application techniques (impasto, glazing)
• Key works include Gustave Moreau's "Jupiter and Semele" and Odilon Redon's "The Cyclops"

Symbolist sculpture

• Created three-dimensional works embodying Symbolist themes and aesthetics
• Explored the expressive potential of different materials (bronze, marble, mixed media)
• Often incorporated elements of Art Nouveau in their flowing, organic forms
• Notable sculptors included Auguste Rodin, George Minne, and Medardo Rosso
• Themes included mythological figures, allegorical personifications, and psychological states

Symbolist prints

• Utilized printmaking techniques to create atmospheric, dreamlike images
• Explored the potential of black and white to convey symbolic meanings
• Techniques included lithography, etching, and woodcut
• Artists like Odilon Redon and Félicien Rops created important print series
• Prints allowed for wider dissemination of Symbolist imagery and ideas

Critical reception and legacy

• Symbolism initially faced mixed reactions from critics and the public
• Over time, its influence on modern art has been increasingly recognized
• Continues to inspire contemporary artists and influence popular culture

Contemporary criticism

• Initially met with confusion and skepticism by many art critics
• Accused of being overly literary, obscure, and detached from reality
• Some critics praised its innovative approach and spiritual depth
• Debates arose over the role of meaning and interpretation in art
• Symbolist artists often wrote manifestos and critical texts defending their ideas

Revival of interest

• Experienced renewed scholarly and public interest in the mid-20th century
• Reassessment of Symbolism's role in the development of modern art
• Influential exhibitions (Symbolist Art in Poland, 1984) sparked new research
• Growing appreciation for Symbolism's exploration of psychology and spirituality
• Recognized as an important precursor to Surrealism and other avant-garde movements

Symbolism in museums today

• Major museums (Musée d'Orsay, Paris) feature dedicated Symbolist sections
• Increased presence of Symbolist works in permanent collections and special exhibitions
• Growing market for Symbolist art among collectors and institutions
• Digital initiatives making Symbolist works more accessible to global audiences
• Contemporary artists continue to engage with and reinterpret Symbolist themes and techniques