What is Symbolism in art?

Symbolism was a late 19th-century art and literary movement that rejected realism in favor of subjective, emotional, and spiritual expression through symbolic imagery. Artists like Gustave Moreau, Odilon Redon, and Fernand Khnopff created mysterious, dreamlike works featuring mythological themes, femmes fatales, and otherworldly atmospheres. Symbolism directly influenced Surrealism, sharing interests in dreams, the irrational, and hidden psychological content. The Symbolists’ rejection of literal representation and embrace of suggestive, evocative imagery paved the way for Surrealist explorations of the unconscious. Explore Symbolism on Surrealism Today.