Symbolism is an art movement which was prominent between the time of 1860 through to 1910. The movement was against the motion of representing objects and subjects literally and instead create more imaginative, metaphorical and expressive works. They were able to create work which was creative rather than descriptive. They would create images of mystical, deeply emotional, and ambiguous meanings.
This movement encouraged imagery and literature. This started as early as Gustave Moreau created fantasy paintings rather than realism pieces. He created images that people thought could only come from dreams. Symbolism also leads back to Charles Baudelaire whose poetry brought in the era of symbolism. His inspiration came from Edgar Allen Poe whose poetry he translated which turned into a success. Although he was largely unrecognized in his era he was one of the most important poets of the ninetieth century. Through his imagery, symbols, and metaphors he created a movement.
Salvador Dali, an extremely well known surrealist painter used extensive symbolism in his work. For instance his recurring images of the elephant which first arrived in his painting Dreams caused by the Flight of a Bee Around a Pomegranate a Second Awaking were inspired by Gian Lorenzo Bernini's sculpture of an elephant carrying an ancient obelisk.
"I am creating with absolutle naturalness, without the slightest aesthetic concern, I am making things that inspire me with a profound emotion and I am trying to paint them honestly"- Salvador Dali, in Dawn Ades, Dali and Surrealism
"I am creating with absolutle naturalness, without the slightest aesthetic concern, I am making things that inspire me with a profound emotion and I am trying to paint them honestly"- Salvador Dali, in Dawn Ades, Dali and Surrealism
THE OWLS
by: Charles Baudelaire
- UNDER the overhanging yews,
- The dark owls sit in solemn state,
- Like stranger gods; by twos and twos
- Their red eyes gleam. They meditate.
- Motionless thus they sit and dream
- Until that melancholy hour
- When, with the sun's last fading gleam,
- The nightly shades assume their power.
- From their still attitude the wise
- Will learn with terror to despise
- All tumult, movement, and unrest;
- For he who follows every shade,
- Carries the memory in his breast,
- Of each unhappy journey made.
