Symbolism

3 Credits · Level: Graduate, Undergraduate

Exoticism, decadence, and the occult penetrate the mysterious images of late nineteenth-century artists like Gustave Moreau, Odilon Redon, and Edvard Munch. Centering on France, this seminar will examine issues of the Symbolist movement through the study of Symbolist theory, paintings, poetry, prints, and primary documents. Among the problems to be addressed are: the attempt to define a Symbolist art; the distinction between Symbolism and art nouveau; the differences between symbol and allegory; the question of whether or not there was a Symbolist style; and strategies for creating Symbolist art. We will have a session at the Print and Drawings Study Room at the National Gallery of Art and possibly other field trips.