Symbolism: French Origins and First Masters
Symbolism: French Origins and First Masters
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The Symbolism was an artistic and literary movement, which emerged in the second half of the 19th century. In many ways, it was a reaction against moralism, rationalism, and materialism. At that time, artists felt the need to go beyond naturalism, which served as a means of escape. It was a period in which positivism promoted the arrival of a better world, based on reason and technology. Many people lamented the loss of lives they had known before, as countless people moved to cities to work.
The immense change brought by the Industrial Revolution created this great clash between the traditional and symbolic world and the new reality with its various values. Especially in Catholic countries, the notions of what was normally considered good and bad were being questioned. Beginning as a literary movement, Symbolism soon became associated with the art of a young generation of painters who wanted art to reflect emotions and ideas, rather than representing the natural world in an objective way. They were united by a shared pessimism and the exhaustion of modern society's decadence.
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Symbolism in France
Symbolism emerged initially as a literary movement in France in the 1880s and became popular in 1886 after the publication of the manifesto by Jean Moréas in Le Figaro on September 18, 1886. Moréas, reacting against the rationalism and materialism that permeated Western culture, believed in pure subjectivism and the expression of ideas, rather than a realistic description of the natural world. However, it can be said that Gustave Moreau was one of the first artists of this movement, who had already explored symbolic themes twenty years before Moréas' manifesto, for example in his painting The Appearance (Salomé).
In 1891, Albert Aurier, a French art critic of the 19th century, published an article on Paul Gauguin, in which he gave the first definition of Symbolism in aesthetic terms. He described it as the subjective vision of the artist expressing himself through a non-naturalistic style, and named Gauguin as its main figure. Many of his works, such as The Yellow Christ are considered one of the main paintings of Symbolism. The art group Les Nabis, under Gauguin's guidance, also made a significant contribution to the transition to Symbolism.
Meanwhile, Odilon Redon created his own version of Symbolism with a mysterious body of work with which he intended to bring people to the ambiguous world of the unknown, just as music does. Frequently inspiring himself in dreams and mythology, Redon explored the journey from darkness to light.
To understand the rest of this journey, continue to our next article: Symbolism: Expansion in Europe and Artistic Legacy.
But history holds a bizarre detail: the influence of Symbolism on modern and contemporary art is even deeper than thought.
The Influence of Symbolism on Modern and Contemporary Art
Since the beginning of the 20th century, Symbolism has significantly influenced modern and contemporary art. Many artists, such as Salvador Dalí and René Magritte, were influenced by Symbolism and incorporated symbolic elements into their works.
Additionally, Symbolism also influenced contemporary art, with artists such as Jeff Koons and Marcel Duchamp creating works that explore the relationship between meaning and form.
Therefore, it is possible to say that Symbolism continues to be an important force in modern and contemporary art, influencing artists and works in a significant way.
Understanding the history of Symbolism is essential to appreciate modern and contemporary art, and to understand the influence of Symbolism on art today.
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