Welcome back to another edition of The Secret Garden!
As part of my exploration this month into the idea of being interesting and staying interested, I’m excited to share with you a peek at a few books I’ve introduced to my library recently about an obscure, little-known branch of art and literature called Symbolism.
On the heels of Impressionism, Symbolism was largely a reaction against depicting naturalism and realism, that is, things as they are seen in life. They favored spirituality, the imagination and dreams, laying down the foundation for modern art and signaling the end of representational art’s dominance. It’s also important to note the context in which Symbolism grew. From Michael Gibson’s book on Symbolism:
“An entire society takes leave of a familiar and beloved land and sets off into exile, into the unknown. This melancholy constatation is central to the Symbolist outlook. At the end of the 19th century, while science and positivism triumphantly announced a brave new world founded on reason and technology, some people were primarily aware of the loss of an indefinable quality which they had found in the former cultural system, in the values and meanings signified by what we might call its “emblematic order”.
I find these group of artists singularly fascinating because of the rich inner and outer world collision they created from. The imagery is both haunting and beautiful and always emotionally stirring. This to me, is a wonderful example of how interesting and evocative art can be when one deliberately reaches deep into one’s psyche and well of experiences for creative inspiration.
♠ ‘Symbolism’ by Michael Gibson
This gorgeous book by Taschen features full-color plates by a dizzying selection of Symbolist painters in a wide range of styles and subjects, including one of my favorite artists of all time, Gustav Klimt.
♠ ‘Eugène Carrière: The Symbol of Creation’ by Robert James Bantens
Eugène Carrière is a new discovery for me and has made it to my list of favorite artists of all time. His oil paintings feature ethereal, ghost-like portraits that sear the soul.
