Symbolism Painting for Sale

What is symbolism

Before proceeding directly to the analysis of symbolism paintings, you need to answer the question: what is symbolism? This is a major trend in culture — not only in painting but also in literature, music, sculpture and architecture. Symbolism art history begins in France, in the last decades of the 19th century. However, this style reached its peak of development in the 20th century. The Symbolism art movement has spread to countries such as France, Germany and Belgium. It was here that the movement acquired an unprecedented scope. Over time, the symbolism has not disappeared anywhere. Modern symbolism art reflects the desire of the authors to notice not only the form of works but also their content, fullness of meanings and symbols. Symbolist paintings are supported by an aesthetic base, each work has its own “explanatory note” from the author. Without this “note”, it is sometimes impossible to understand the essence of painting and to open all aspects of a particular picture.

The French poet Rene Gil said that symbolism is based on imagination, the ability to operate with images. And the very definition of this style, the term “symbolizm”, was given by another poet — Jean Moreas. He emphasized that symbolism is the “enemy” of precise explanations and teachings, the “opponent” of rhetoric and objectivity. This means that symbolism literary refers to the word “symbol”, and symbols are interpreted, as you know, subjectively. Symbolism in painting pushes us into the arms of the world of an individual, an artist, into dreams, nightmares, ideas, thoughts and imagination of this or that author.

Famous symbolism paintings

So, we have given symbolism art definition, and now we can talk about symbolism characteristics in more detail. It is difficult to argue with the statement: symbolism meaning in culture is of great importance and plays one of the leading roles. This becomes clear when we understand the essence of symbolism in art. So what were the symbolist artists trying to do? Here are a few theses that will help us deal with this issue. Symbolism art style set as its goal:

• display the movements of the soul, the sensual side of existence;
• capture the whole range of experiences and emotions: good, pleasant and bad, unpleasant;
• emphasis on the separation of two worlds: things and ideas;
• the desire to use symbols to express the world of ideas;
• the use of mysticism.

Thus, now we have a better idea of what is symbolism in art. How about popular symbolism paintings? Among the most famous paintings with symbolism are the following: “Isle of the Dead” by Böcklin, “Evocation” by Redon, “Terror Antiquus” by Bakst, as well as works by Vrubel, Klimt, Saccaggi and others.

Popular symbolist painters

Today you can easily find symbolism paintings sale to buy the best symbolism art examples. However, if now we just admire the beautiful works of symbolism artists, then the public admired them from an intellectual point of view. The masterpieces of such authors as Klimt, Vrubel, and Redon were reinforced by the philosophical deeds of Florensky, Cassirer, Gombrich, Moreas and other philosophers. The elements of symbolist painting have been known since ancient times. For example, symbols are the basis of the culture of Ancient Egypt.

During the Renaissance, symbols became part of icons and various images on a religious theme. However, only at the end of the 19th century did all this take shape in a separate symbolist movement. Can we say who is the most famous symbolist artist? So to say, who is the icon of this style? It all starts with the works of Gustave Moreau. It’s funny, but he did not call himself a symbolist. However, his work inspired other authors: for example, George Watts, Pierre de Chavannes, Fernand Knopff and others.

Buy symbolism painting

In our gallery, we pay attention to symbolism in paintings. You can find wonderful examples of symbolism painting for sale. If you doubt your knowledge of this direction, and you still have questions about what is symbolism, visit our blog. There you have the opportunity to learn more about art symbols and meanings. Find your perfect symbolism painting for your collection!