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The Apparition by Gustave Moreau, 1874-76, Louvre, Paris
In this watercolor painting by Moreau we see Salome's vision of the head John the Baptist is she remorseful or celebratory, it is hard to tell. Moreau was part of the Symbolism movement that paved the way for the Surrealist and Abstract artists who were to come.
Breton Girls Dancing, Pont-Aven by Paul Gauguin, 1888, National Gallery of Art.
Known as the Volpini Suite, Gauguin's ground-breaking show that is widely considered to be the first exhibition of Symbolist Art.
The Sacred Hour, ca. 1907-77 by Ferdinand Hodler.
Early in his career Hodler painted mostly landscapes but as he became exposed to more styles such as symbolism and expressionism. his work became more complex however, near the end he returned to landscapes.
Vase of Flowers, c. 1900-16 by Odilon Redon, MoMA.
Although primarily known as a Symbolist artist Redon created a number of floral still life paintings in his career. They all have a stark quality that allows the beauty of the flowers to be the focal point.
Starry Night, c. 1893, by Edvard Munch, The J. Paul Getty Museum.
Munch is the Symbolist painter best known for The Scream. He was from Norway but traveled and studied in Paris and admired van Gogh.
Starry Night, 1899 by Vincent van Gogh, MOMA, NYNY
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Violette Heymann by Odilon Redon, 1910, The Cleveland Museum of Art
Symbolism is a genre that often is over-looked for Surrealism or Impressionism. It has roots in literature, the author Baudelaireis credited with its formation and being influenced by Poe. Many of the 19th century artists whose work is having a renaissance recently: Klimt, Moreau, Munch, to name a few, are considered to be part of the Symbolist category.
Odilon Redon, is best known for his prints and pastels, and his work is full of symbolism and he is quoted as having said he wanted to "place the visible at the service of the invisible." This is a portrait, so much more straight forward than some of his other works, but the sitter seems to be surrounded by floating flowers, who make her seem dour in comparison.
Saint Bride by John Duncan, 1913, National Gallery of Scotland.
Two angels transporting the Saint Bride to Bethlehem to witness the Nativity. Scenes of the life of Christ are sewn into the garments of the angels. John Duncan is often characterized as a Symbolist artist because of his style, but also because he had a strong desire to understand the mysteries of nature as they relate to the divine.
Child Wearing a Red Scarf by Edouard Vuillard, c. 1891, The National Gallery of Art (US)
This is one of my favorite Vuillard pieces. It is not very big, but I just love the little girl. She seems so proud to be wearing that "grown-up" scarf (reminds me of myself as a girl, always wanting to wear something beyond my years).
Vuillard was interested in color and he and other like-minded art students (Pierre Bonnard was one) were influenced by Paul Gauguin's use of color and Symbolism and belonged to a group called Les Nabis.