Symbolism in European Painting: A Mystical Alternative

Historical Context: The Birth of Symbolism

Symbolism emerged as a reaction against both Realism and Impressionism, which many artists felt were constrained by the material world. In the 1880s and 1890s, poets and painters across Europe began to argue that art should reflect the inner life—emotions, dreams, and metaphysical truths—rather than mere appearances. The movement’s first manifesto appeared in 1886, penned by French poet Jean Moréas, who called for a new art based on suggestion and evocation.

Unlike the Impressionists, whose fascination with light and colour aimed to capture the immediate, visible world, Symbolists sought to evoke the invisible. Theirs was a world of myth, allegory, and dream. This approach resonated strongly with the spiritual uncertainties of the late 19th century, as scientific progress and urbanisation prompted many to search for deeper meaning.

Key Characteristics and Motifs of Symbolist Painting

• Emphasis on dreams, myths, and the subconscious
• Use of allegory, metaphor, and poetic suggestion
• Preference for moody, atmospheric colour palettes
• Figures often appear in timeless, ambiguous settings
• Recurring motifs: femme fatale, angels, death, rebirth, the supernatural
• Emotionally charged, introspective mood
• Symbolic use of flora, fauna, and landscape elements
• Interest in spirituality, mysticism, and esoteric traditions

Major Artists and Regional Expressions

Symbolism was never a unified style, but rather a web of related tendencies that flourished across Europe. Each country brought its own flavour to the movement, from the decadent salons of Paris to the mystical landscapes of Britain and the introspective visions of Russia.

In France, Gustave Moreau, Odilon Redon, and Pierre Puvis de Chavannes led the way. Their works shimmer with mythological and dreamlike imagery, blending classical references with psychological depth. Belgium produced Fernand Khnopff and Jean Delville, whose art explored enigmatic femininity and spiritual longing. Swiss painter Arnold Böcklin conjured haunting, otherworldly landscapes, while in Russia, Mikhail Vrubel and Nicholas Roerich infused Symbolism with Slavic folklore and Orthodox spirituality.

Britain, often overlooked in Symbolist histories, produced a unique and influential strain. Artists such as George Frederic Watts, Evelyn De Morgan, and John Duncan adapted Symbolist ideals to British legend, Pre-Raphaelite romanticism, and spiritual allegory. Their paintings are currently enjoying renewed attention on platforms like Pinterest and Twitter, where #BritishSymbolism and #MysticalArt have attracted thousands of likes and shares.

Timeline: The Development of Symbolism

1. 1880s: Symbolist poetry emerges in France, influencing painters such as Moreau and Redon.
2. 1886: Jean Moréas publishes the Symbolist manifesto, defining the movement’s ideals.
3. 1890s: Symbolism spreads across Europe, with regional centres in Belgium, Switzerland, Russia, and Britain.
4. 1900s: Symbolist ideas influence early modernist movements, including Art Nouveau, Surrealism, and Expressionism.
5. Today: Contemporary artists and collectors revisit Symbolism’s psychological and mystical themes, sparking new interest online and at auction.

Artist Focus: George Frederic Watts and Evelyn De Morgan

George Frederic Watts (1817–1904) is sometimes called “England’s Michelangelo”—a painter whose vast allegorical canvases sought to express universal truths. Watts’s Symbolism is distinguished by its fusion of classical myth and Victorian spiritualism. Works like “Hope” and “Love and Life” use single figures in ambiguous settings to evoke longing, aspiration, and the human condition. Watts believed art could uplift the soul and inspire moral reflection, a conviction that resonates with today’s collectors seeking art with meaning.

Evelyn De Morgan (1855–1919) brought a distinctively feminine sensibility to British Symbolism. Her paintings, such as “Aurora Triumphans” and “The Soul’s Prison House,” blend Pre-Raphaelite colour and detail with Symbolist allegory. De Morgan’s work often explores themes of transformation, spiritual liberation, and the power of the imagination—subjects that have found a new generation of admirers via Instagram’s #FeministArt and #DreamlikeArt communities.

Both Watts and De Morgan exemplify how Symbolism could transcend national boundaries and personal biography, offering timeless meditations on hope, struggle, and the search for meaning.

Painting Techniques and Visual Language

Symbolist painters employed a range of traditional and innovative techniques to achieve their ethereal effects. Unlike Impressionists, who applied paint in rapid, broken brushstrokes to capture light, Symbolists preferred smooth surfaces, layered glazes, and subtle transitions of tone. This approach allowed them to create a sense of timelessness and mystery.

Many Symbolists drew inspiration from Renaissance and medieval art, using tempera or gold leaf to evoke sacred icons. Others, like Odilon Redon, experimented with pastels and charcoal to achieve soft, dreamlike textures. The choice of medium was always in service of mood and meaning—the surface of the painting becoming a mirror to the psyche.

Symbolist compositions often centre on a solitary figure or a dramatic landscape, surrounded by enigmatic symbols: a wilting flower, a serpent, a distant temple. These elements invite viewers to interpret the painting’s message in personal and intuitive ways, much as one might approach a poem or a dream.

Emotional and Seasonal Interpretations

Symbolist art is renowned for its emotional resonance. Rather than depict outward events, Symbolists evoke inner states—longing, melancholy, ecstasy, or dread. Their works are especially suited to introspective or transitional seasons, such as autumn and winter, when light fades and the imagination turns inward.

Symbolist Emotions and Motifs

• Melancholy: Figures in shadowy landscapes, autumnal colours, references to mortality
• Ecstasy: Radiant light, angels, mythic ascents, and visions of paradise
• Longing: Distant horizons, reaching gestures, solitary wanderers
• Transformation: Butterflies, phoenixes, or figures emerging from darkness
• Mystery: Veiled faces, enigmatic symbols, moonlit scenes
• Spirituality: Sacred geometry, halos, and altarpiece-like compositions

On social media, Symbolist works are often shared in autumn and winter feeds, accompanied by hashtags like #MoodyArt, #Dreamscape, and #ArtForTheSoul, reflecting a collective yearning for reflection and meaning during the darker months.

Buyer and Collector Insights

For collectors, Symbolist art offers both aesthetic and emotional rewards. Its layered meanings and timeless themes make each work a source of ongoing discovery. As Symbolist paintings gain renewed attention in the art market, understanding their history and significance can help buyers make informed, meaningful acquisitions.

Steps to Collecting Symbolist Art

1. Research key Symbolist artists and their regional variations—don’t overlook British, Belgian, or Russian painters.
2. Visit galleries and museum collections, both in person and online, to familiarise yourself with the movement’s visual language.
3. Consult reputable dealers and auction houses with a track record in 19th-century European art.
4. Focus on provenance, authenticity, and condition. Many Symbolist works have passed through multiple hands, so documentation is crucial.
5. Consider contemporary artists influenced by Symbolism as accessible entry points for new collectors.
6. Trust your emotional response—Symbolist art is meant to evoke feeling and reflection.

Key takeaways for buyers:

• Symbolist art is highly collectable, with prices rising for both historic and contemporary works.
• Collectors value emotional resonance as much as technical skill.
• Many museums and galleries now feature Symbolist exhibitions, reflecting growing interest and market confidence.
• Online communities and social media can be excellent resources for discovering artists and building connections with fellow collectors.

Discover the World of Symbolism

Symbolism invites us to look beyond the surface of things and enter a world of dreams, myths, and mysteries. Whether you are drawn to its poetic imagery, spiritual themes, or emotional depth, Symbolist painting offers enduring inspiration for collectors and art lovers alike. As interest surges on social media and in the market, now is the perfect time to explore this evocative movement—and perhaps to find a piece that speaks to your own inner world.