Symbolism 19th century
Wilhelm Schmurr was a German painter and co-founder of the Sonderbund in Düsseldorf. His style, characterized by clear expression, was influenced by the Pre-Raphaelites, Symbolists, and Realists. He received several awards and medals for his work and was a member of various art associations. Schmurr taught at the Kunstakademie Düsseldorf and inspired by the farmers after the war, he created scenes of simple life and still lifes. He was awarded the Karl-Ernst-Osthaus-Preis and the Bundesverdienstkreuz erster Klasse and became an honorary member of various artist associations.
Louise Elisabeth Andrae was a German Post-Impressionist landscape painter and watercolorist. She studied with two landscape painters; Gustav Adolf Thamm in Dresden and Hans von Volkmann in Karlsruhe. She settled in Dresden, but spent long periods on the island of Hiddensee. There, she helped organize a group known as the Hiddensoer Künstlerinnenbund, an association of women artists that included Clara Arnheim, Elisabeth Büchsel, Käthe Loewenthal and Katharina Bamberg. They were regular exhibitors at an art venue known as the Blaue Scheune (Blue Barn), established in 1920 by Henni Lehmann. She also exhibited frequently with a group known as the Kunstkaten in Ahrenshoop.Wikipedia
Nikolay Andreyevich Andreyev (Russian: Николай Андреевич Андреев) was a distinguished Russian sculptor, graphic artist, and stage designer, whose works have significantly contributed to the artistic landscape of early 20th-century Russia. Born into the rich cultural milieu of Moscow in 1873, Andreyev emerged as a pivotal figure associated with the Peredvizhniki group, a movement that sought realism and social critique through art. His early education under Sergey Volnukhin paved the way for a career that spanned various forms of artistic expression, including sculpture and graphic design.
Andreyev's works are known for their dynamic representation of figures and profound social commentary. Perhaps his most famous creation is the bronze statue of the celebrated writer Nikolai Gogol, unveiled in 1909. This statue, surrounded by bronze friezes depicting Gogol's characters, initially stood on Gogol Boulevard in Moscow. Its impressionistic style, however, attracted criticism, leading to its relocation in 1952. Another notable work, the "Woman reaper with a child," showcases Andreyev's adeptness at capturing the essence of Russian cultural symbols through sculpture. Cast in bronze, this work reflects Andreyev's ability to convey complex themes such as motherhood and labor with sensitivity and depth.
In his later years, Andreyev's artistic direction veered towards Socialist Realism, producing a prolific array of Leniniana - sculptures and graphic works of Vladimir Lenin. His commitment to this genre was profound, with around 100 sculptures and 200 graphic works dedicated to Lenin, marking a significant contribution to Soviet artistic propaganda. Additionally, his portrait of Lev Tolstoy stands as a testament to his versatility and depth as an artist, capturing the essence of the literary giant with striking realism.
Andreyev's legacy extends beyond his artistic achievements, with his works residing in prestigious collections such as the Tretyakov Gallery. His death in 1932 marked the end of a vibrant chapter in Russian art history, but his contributions continue to be celebrated for their artistic merit and historical significance.
For collectors and experts in art and antiques, the works of Nikolay Andreyevich Andreyev offer a unique glimpse into the cultural and political nuances of Russia during a transformative era. His sculptures not only stand as remarkable feats of artistic expression but also as enduring symbols of Russia's rich cultural heritage.
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Boris Izraelievich Anisfeld (Russian: Борис Израилевич Анисфельд) was a Russian-American painter, set designer, illustrator, and educator, celebrated for his vivid use of color and imaginative scenery. Born in Bessarabia, Russian Empire, in 1878, Anisfeld's artistic journey led him from the Odessa School of Art to the Imperial Academy of Arts in Saint Petersburg, where he absorbed the influences of prominent artists like Ilya Repin and Igor Grabar. His distinct style caught the attention of Sergei Diaghilev, leading to his work with the Ballet Russe before World War I.
Anisfeld's contributions to art extend beyond his canvas, as his theater designs for Diaghilev's Ballets Russes and collaborations with notable figures like Michel Fokine and Anna Pavlova showcased his ability to blend fantasy with performance. His work with the Ballets Russes, including designing the production of "Sadko" and executing the visions of other celebrated artists for stage sets, marked a significant period in his career before he immigrated to the United States in 1917.
In America, Anisfeld continued his legacy, taking on roles such as a teacher at the Art Institute of Chicago and contributing to the cultural landscape through his stage designs and paintings. His work is recognized for its innovative approach to color and form, bridging the realms of painting and theater design to create immersive, emotionally resonant artworks. Anisfeld passed away in 1973, leaving behind a body of work that continues to inspire and captivate audiences.
For collectors and experts in art and antiques, Anisfeld's work represents a fusion of Russian and American art traditions, enriched by his imaginative approach and vibrant palette. His contributions to the development of modern art and theater design underscore the enduring relevance of his creative vision.
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Anatoly Afanasyevich Arapov (Russian: Анатолий Афанасьевич Арапаов) was a Russian and Soviet artist, born in St. Petersburg in 1876 and passing away in Moscow in 1949. His artistic journey began after graduating from high school in 1892, leading him to study at the Moscow Boundary Institute where he initially acquired artistic skills. Arapov's dedication to art became undeniable, prompting him to enroll in the Moscow School of Painting, Sculpture and Architecture in 1897, where he was deeply involved in applied art, book design, and theater.
Arapov's early works, particularly around 1900 and 1910, were influenced by Symbolism, but he transitioned through a phase of Constructivism in the 1920s before dedicating himself to Socialist Realism from the 1930s onward. His versatile talent spanned across painting, graphic arts, and set design, making significant contributions to theater and film. Notably, he designed plays for leading theaters across major Russian cities and worked on popular films in the 1920s and 1930s.
His oeuvre includes portraits, still lifes, and landscapes, featuring views of ancient parks and Russian architecture. Arapov's works are celebrated for their stylistic diversity, capturing the essence of Symbolism, Constructivism, and Socialist Realism. His contributions are recognized in museum collections, including the State Tretyakov Gallery and the Saratov State Art Museum named after Radishchev, among others.
For collectors and art experts, Arapov's works offer a glimpse into the evolving art styles of early to mid-20th century Russia. To stay informed on sales and auction events featuring Anatoly Afanasyevich Arapov's art, signing up for updates can provide exclusive access to new discoveries and opportunities to acquire pieces by this multifaceted artist.
Angelo Barabino was an Italian painter, divisionist-symbolist, exponent of the social current, friend and pupil of Giuseppe Pellizza da Volpedo.
In Barabino's work we encounter realistic and symbolic instances applied to not infrequently social-oriented themes, always supported by a technical quality that was reworked on Pellizza with wholly original results.
Vasiliy Vasiliyevich Belyashin (Russian: Василий Васильевич Беляшин) was a distinguished Russian and Soviet artist, acclaimed for his contributions to the Silver Age of Russian art. Born on September 8, 1874, in Vilnius, within the Russian Empire, and passing on May 8, 1929, in St. Petersburg, USSR, Belyashin's career spanned the late 19th and early 20th centuries, a period marked by significant artistic evolution. His versatility as an artist is evident in his work as a portrait painter, landscape artist, printmaker, and illustrator, with a particular renown for his series of self-portraits.
Operating mainly within the impressionist style, Belyashin's artistry was not confined to a single genre. He excelled across various forms, including landscape painting, portraits, self-portraits, and still life, showcasing a broad skill set that resonated with the Symbolist and Impressionist movements of his time. His educational background and associations with artistic societies, such as the Kuindzhi Society, the Art Community, and the Partnership of Artists, further underline his integral role in the artistic community of his era.
Though detailed records of Belyashin's works in specific museums or galleries were not immediately available, the acknowledgment of his art in auctions and the recognition by cultural institutions suggest a lasting legacy. His work, celebrated for its emotional depth and technical proficiency, continues to capture the imagination of art collectors and enthusiasts alike.
For those intrigued by Vasiliy Vasiliyevich Belyashin's unique contribution to the world of art, staying updated on auctions and exhibitions featuring his work is invaluable. Signing up for updates related to Belyashin can ensure you remain informed about new sales and auction events, offering a chance to connect more deeply with this master's artistic journey.
Émile Bernard, a French painter, was a significant figure in the Post-Impressionist movement. He is most famously associated with the development of Cloisonnism, a painting style characterized by bold outlines and flat, vivid color planes, and he played a role in Synthetism, a synthesis of forms and colors in art.
Bernard's artistic journey was influenced by his interactions with notable artists such as Paul Gauguin, Vincent van Gogh, and Louis Anquetin. His works, which often explored themes of symbolism and religious imagery, ranged from traditional paintings to engravings and illustrations. One of his notable works, "Madeleine au Bois d'Amour," is displayed at the Musée d'Orsay in Paris.
Despite his early success and influence, Bernard's artistic trajectory took a turn towards classicism later in life, distancing himself from the avant-garde styles he once embraced. His extensive travel experiences, particularly his time in Egypt, significantly impacted his art, leading to a broader range of stylistic elements in his later works.
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William Blake was an English poet, painter, and printmaker. Largely unrecognised during his life, Blake is now considered a seminal figure in the history of the poetry and visual art of the Romantic Age. What he called his "prophetic works" were said by 20th-century critic Northrop Frye to form "what is in proportion to its merits the least read body of poetry in the English language". His visual artistry led 21st-century critic Jonathan Jones to proclaim him "far and away the greatest artist Britain has ever produced". In 2002, Blake was placed at number 38 in the BBC's poll of the 100 Greatest Britons. While he lived in London his entire life, except for three years spent in Felpham, he produced a diverse and symbolically rich collection of works, which embraced the imagination as "the body of God" or "human existence itself".
Detlev Conrad Blunck was a German-Danish painter of the first half of the 19th century. He is known as a painter and graphic artist.
Detlev Blunck at the beginning of his career specialized mainly in historical painting, then he moved to the domestic genre and joined the ranks of the masters of domestic realism. Later Blunck devoted his work to religious motifs and developed his own style of painting, which strongly reflected the influence of the Nazarene movement, the German Romantic painters.
Arnold Böcklin was a Swiss symbolist painter.
Influenced by Romanticism, Böcklin's symbolist use of imagery derived from mythology and legend often overlapped with the aesthetic of the Pre-Raphaelites. Many of his paintings are imaginative interpretations of the classical world, or portray mythological subjects in settings involving classical architecture, often allegorically exploring death and mortality in the context of a strange, fantasy world.
Konstantin Fyodorovich Bogaevsky (Russian: Константин Фёдорович Богаевский), a Russian painter renowned for his Symbolist landscapes, was a significant figure in the art world between the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Born in Feodosia, Crimea, to an old Italian-German family, Bogaevsky's initial art education came from Ivan Aivazovsky. His formative years were spent at the Imperial Academy of Arts under Arkhip Kuindzhi, where despite facing criticism and temporary expulsion for "lack of talent," Kuindzhi's protection and faith in his abilities paved the way for Bogaevsky's future successes.
Bogaevsky's travels to Italy and France in 1898 introduced him to the works of Claude Lorrain, who Bogaevsky considered his true mentor. This experience, coupled with a later discovery of Andrea Mantegna's paintings in 1911, significantly influenced his work. His artistry is noted for its dream-like symbolist landscapes, often of an imaginary land known among his circle as "Bogaevia." Maximilian Voloshin's essays, titled "Konstantin Bogaevsky," played a crucial role in popularizing Bogaevsky's work, drawing parallels between him and Nicholas Roerich.
Throughout his career, Bogaevsky was affiliated with several art groups, including Mir iskusstva, Union of Russian Artists, and Zhar-Tsvet. His exhibitions, notably the 1906 Exposition de l'Art Russe organized by Sergei Diaghilev, highlighted his unique blend of Symbolism and later influences from Renaissance masters like Mantegna, Dürer, and Altdorfer. Despite the October Revolution driving him into relative obscurity, Bogaevsky's legacy as a master of Symbolist landscapes endures, with works like the 1932 "Port of an Imaginable City" still celebrated for their artistic value.
Bogaevsky's works are represented in major museums, including the Tretyakov Gallery, Russian Museum, and Feodosia Art Gallery. His death in Feodosia during a Soviet air raid in 1943 left behind a legacy enriched by his exploration of historical landscapes and symbolist vistas, immortalizing him as a visionary of his time.
For collectors and experts in art and antiques, Bogaevsky's oeuvre offers a fascinating journey into the melding of historical reverence and symbolist imagination. His works, steeped in the influences of European masters and his unique vision of an imaginary land, continue to captivate and inspire. To stay updated on exhibitions and auction events featuring Konstantin Fyodorovich Bogaevsky's work, signing up for updates is highly recommended. This subscription will ensure you are always informed about new sales and the opportunity to own a piece of this historical and symbolist art legacy.
Victor Elpidiforovich Borisov-Musatov (Russian: Ви́ктор Эльпидифо́рович Бори́сов-Муса́тов) was a distinguished Russian artist celebrated for his unique contribution to the Post-Impressionist movement, combining elements of Symbolism, realism, and a decorative style that was all his own. Born in 1870 in Saratov, Russia, into the family of a former serf, Borisov-Musatov overcame early challenges, including a spinal injury that left him humpbacked, to emerge as a pivotal figure in Russian art. His education spanned the Moscow School of Painting, Sculpture and Architecture, and the Imperial Academy of Arts in Saint-Petersburg, further enriched by studies in Paris under the tutelage of Fernand Cormon. His admiration for French contemporaries, especially Pierre Puvis de Chavannes and Berthe Morisot, profoundly influenced his artistic direction.
Borisov-Musatov is renowned for his lyrical, evocative works that often depict the serene and idyllic life of the 19th-century Russian nobility, set against the backdrop of their estates. This half-illusory world, which he masterfully created, reflects a deep nostalgia and a retreat from the industrial harshness of his time. By integrating figures seamlessly into the landscapes, as seen in masterpieces like "The Pool" (1902) and "The Phantoms" (1903), he achieved a harmony that resonates with viewers for its beauty and tranquility. His use of mixed media, including tempera, watercolor, and pastel, allowed for subtle visual effects, making his works distinctive in their soft, dreamlike quality.
Borisov-Musatov's legacy extends beyond his paintings; he was a significant figure in the Russian Symbolist movement and a founding member of the Moscow Association of Artists. His works, which provide a poignant, poetic commentary on the era he lived in, are celebrated in Russian and international art circles alike. Notable paintings like "The Pool" and "The Phantoms" not only highlight his technical skill but also his ability to evoke emotion and atmosphere, making them favorites among collectors and art enthusiasts.
For collectors and experts in art and antiques, Borisov-Musatov's oeuvre offers a fascinating glimpse into the Russian Symbolist movement and the broader cultural milieu of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. His works, preserved in museums and private collections around the world, continue to enchant and inspire.
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Eugen Felix Prosper Bracht was a German landscape painter.
A late Romanticist painter, Bracht was known for his moody landscapes and coastal scenes in North Germany, and began a sketching trip through Syria, Palestine and Egypt from 1880 to 1881. In 1882, he became a Professor of Landscape Painting at the Prussian Academy of Arts.
Later, Bracht became a representative of German Impressionism.
In 1901, he obtained a teaching position at the Dresden Academy of Fine Arts that he held until 1919.
Eugène Anatole Carrière was a French Symbolist artist of the fin-de-siècle period. Carrière's paintings are best known for their near-monochrome brown palette and their ethereal, dreamlike quality. He was a close friend of Auguste Rodin and his work likely influenced Pablo Picasso's Blue Period. He was also associated with such writers as Paul Verlaine, Stéphane Mallarmé and Charles Morice.
Jan Ciągliński (Russian: Ян Францевич Ционглинский), a Polish Impressionist painter established in Russia, was born into a noble family in Warsaw on February 20, 1858, and died on January 6, 1913, in Saint Petersburg. He studied at the University of Warsaw before moving to Saint Petersburg in 1879, where he furthered his education at the Imperial Academy of Arts. Ciągliński was a pivotal figure in the Russian art scene, recognized as one of the first Russian Impressionists. His success in Russia was significant, though he remained less known in his native Poland.
Ciągliński's art was inspired by his travels across Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East, painting landscapes, often with oriental themes, symbolic images, figure compositions, decorations, and portraits. He was celebrated for his color work and the way he captured light. Among his notable students were Ivan Bilibin, Viktor Vesnine, Mikhail Matiushin, Pavel Filonov, and Yelena Guro, highlighting his influential role as an educator. Ciągliński was also one of the founders of "Mir Iskusstva" (World of Art), contributing significantly to its development.
Some of Ciągliński's works can be found in museums across Poland and Ukraine, a testament to his last will to donate his oeuvre to his homeland. His legacy is reflected in his diverse body of work that includes portraits of famous musicians such as Pyotr Tchaikovsky, Sergei Rachmaninoff, and Frederic Chopin, showcasing his connection to the music world.
For collectors and art and antiques experts interested in the intersection of Polish heritage and Russian Impressionism, Jan Ciągliński's work represents a fascinating study. Sign up for updates on new product sales and auction events related to Jan Ciągliński to explore more about this distinguished artist's contributions to the art world.
Giuseppe Cominetti was an Italian painter of the divisionist movement. He studied painting in Turin and also attended the Academy of Fine Arts in Milan.
His paintings by Giuseppe Cominetti are a mixture of symbolism and divisionism. He participated in the Promotrice of Genoa from 1903 to 1912. In 1909 he moved to Paris and exhibited at the Salon d'Autumn and signed Filippo Marinetti's Manifesto for Futurism. His painting was later influenced by Fauvism and Futurism.
John Singleton Copley was an Anglo-American painter, active in both colonial America and England. He was probably born in Boston, Massachusetts, to Richard and Mary Singleton Copley, both Anglo-Irish. After becoming well-established as a portrait painter of the wealthy in colonial New England, he moved to London in 1774, never returning to America. In London, he met considerable success as a portraitist for the next two decades, and also painted a number of large history paintings, which were innovative in their readiness to depict modern subjects and modern dress. His later years were less successful, and he died heavily in debt.
Walter Crane was an English artist and book illustrator. He is considered to be the most influential, and among the most prolific, children's book creators of his generation and, along with Randolph Caldecott and Kate Greenaway, one of the strongest contributors to the child's nursery motif that the genre of English children's illustrated literature would exhibit in its developmental stages in the later 19th century.
Crane's work featured some of the more colourful and detailed beginnings of the child-in-the-garden motifs that would characterize many nursery rhymes and children's stories for decades to come. He was part of the Arts and Crafts movement and produced an array of paintings, illustrations, children's books, ceramic tiles, wallpapers and other decorative arts. Crane is also remembered for his creation of a number of iconic images associated with the international Socialist movement.
Alfred Kubin was an outstanding Austrian engraver, illustrator and writer, and a prominent representative of the Symbolic and Expressionist trends in the visual arts in the first half of the 20th century. Alfred Kubin's works are full of phantasmagoric and grotesque depictions of dreams, motifs of desolation and fear.
Charles Courtney Curran is an American impressionist painter.
He was educated at the National Academy of Design (New York), then studied at the Académie Julian in Paris.
Curran is known for his romantic depictions of young women in nature, where they are walking, playing sports or just admiring flowers. The artist also painted plein air, experimenting with a variety of artistic styles, including Impressionism, Symbolism, Tonalism and Naturalism.
Jan Frans De Boever was a Belgian Symbolist painter. He received his training in Ghent at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts. He became a recognised celebrity at official exhibitions in Ghent, Antwerp, Brussels, and Liège. From 1909 onwards, he modified his style radically, painting women and prostitutes in morbid and bizarre settings, with skeletons, diabolism, subservient men and eroticism dominating his paintings. These paintings were allegorical and mythological, reflecting romantic imagery and depicting the universal struggle of good against evil. In 1914, he started to illustrate Charles Baudelaire's "Les Fleurs du mal" for the wealthy art-collector Speltinckx. Up to 1924, he made approximately 157 gouaches for the poems, though only 86 have been recovered. Once he had discovered his style, a form of Symbolism belonging to the decadent movement, he ignored ongoing artistic developments and drew his inspiration from literature, music, and mythology. He was still inspired by patriotism, creating several paintings concerning the World Wars, displaying death and catastrophe in the Symbolist style.
Henry Jules Charles Corneille de Groux was a Belgian Symbolist painter, sculptor and lithographer. His 1889 painting Christ attacked by a mob made when he was only 22 years old established his reputation as an innovative Symbolist painter and ensured his admission to the progressive artistic circles in Brussels. He spent most of his active career in Paris. He produced many works depicting the horrors of the First World War in the latter part of his career.
Pieter Cornelis de Moor, a Dutch artist, stands out as a versatile and innovative figure in the art world. His education at the Academy of Visual Arts in Rotterdam and the Drawing Academy in Antwerp laid the foundation for a career marked by diversity and creativity. De Moor's achievements, including a silver medal in the Prix de Rome in 1887, underline his early recognition and the promise of his artistic journey.
De Moor's artistry was not confined to a single medium; he was adept in drawing, etching, painting, watercolor, producing lithographs, and working as an illustrator. His artworks, ranging from "Dancing Women" to "Poultry on a Yard" and "An Elegant Lady Feeding Peacocks," showcase his broad thematic interests and technical skills. Notably, his works are held in prestigious collections, including the Rijksmuseum and the Dordrechts Museum.
The artist's life was rich with experiences, having worked across Europe and eventually settling in the United States. His legacy, punctuated by exhibitions in museums such as Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen and the Drents Museum, continues to captivate art enthusiasts and collectors.
For collectors and art experts, delving into the works of Pieter Cornelis de Moor offers a unique glimpse into the evolution of Dutch art. His contributions, particularly in the realm of Symbolism, highlight an era of artistic exploration and innovation.
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Auguste de Niederhäusern, better known as Rodo, was a Swiss sculptor and medallist. He is considered one of the most influential representatives of Swiss Symbolism.
In 1892 Rodo took part in the Salon de la Rose-Croix exhibition and for the next six years was a collaborator of Auguste Rodin.
Between 1900 and 1902, Rodot created several works for the Federal Palace in Bern, which was under construction: at the top of the pediment is a sculptural group symbolising political independence, executive and legislative power; he also created the capstones on the arched windows of the south façade.
Gustave Franciscus De Smet was a Belgian painter. Together with Constant Permeke and Frits Van den Berghe, he was one of the founders of Flemish Expressionism. In 1908, he and his wife followed Léon to the artists' colony in Sint-Martens-Latem. There, they initially came under the influence of Luminism and the painter Emile Claus, who lived in nearby Astene. At the beginning of World War I, he and his family joined his friend, Van den Berghe, and fled to the Netherlands. From 1914 to 1922, they moved about, visiting and staying at the art colonies in Amsterdam, Laren and Blaricum.[2] His meeting with the Expressionist painter Henri Le Fauconnier marked a turning point in his style which, up until then, owed much to Cubism. In 1927, he settled in Deurle. It was there that his mixture of Expressionism and Cubism peaked, with a series of works depicting circus, fairground and village scenes. After his death in Deurle at the age of sixty-six, his house was preserved as a local museum.
Olga Lyudvigovna Della-Vos-Kardovskaya (Russian: Ольга Людвиговна Делла-Вос Кардовская) was a Russian painter and graphic artist, whose works and life story continue to fascinate art collectors and experts. Born in Chernigov in the Russian Empire in 1875 and passing away in Leningrad, USSR in 1952, Della-Vos-Kardovskaya's artistic journey was marked by rigorous training and profound experiences. Her educational path took her from the Schneider School in Kharkov to the Academy in Saint Petersburg, and finally to Munich, where she studied under Anton Ažbe. The year 1900 was significant for her, marking not only a milestone in her artistic education but also her marriage to the painter Dmitry Kardovsky.
Della-Vos-Kardovskaya's career was characterized by her participation in various artist societies and exhibitions, significantly contributing to her recognition in the art world. Between 1903 and 1917, she exhibited her work with the New Society of Artists and the Union of Russian Artists. Her association with the Zhar-tsvet group from 1924 to 1928 and her inclusion in a significant 1927 exhibit in Moscow commemorating the tenth anniversary of the Russian Revolution highlight her active involvement in the artistic movements of her time.
Her body of work includes a variety of subjects, from self-portraits to notable figures such as Nikolay Gumilyov and Anna Akhmatova, demonstrating her versatility and skill as both a painter and a graphic artist. These works, alongside her contributions to Russian art movements and exhibitions, underscore her lasting impact on the art world.
For collectors and experts in art and antiques, Olga Lyudvigovna Della-Vos-Kardovskaya's work represents not only a connection to the rich history of Russian art but also an opportunity to appreciate the depth and breadth of her artistic contributions. To stay updated on sales and auction events related to Della-Vos-Kardovskaya's work, signing up for updates is highly recommended, ensuring access to the latest information and opportunities to acquire pieces by this distinguished artist.
Maurice Denis, a French painter and writer, was an influential figure in the transition from impressionism to modern art. Born on November 25, 1870, in Granville, France, Denis's artistic journey began at the Académie Julian in Paris. Here, he met future collaborators like Paul Sérusier and Pierre Bonnard, with whom he later formed the Nabis group, a collective deriving its name from the Hebrew word "Nabi," meaning "Prophet".
Denis's style evolved from neoimpressionism, influenced by artists like Seurat, to a more decorative and colorful approach under the influence of Gauguin. This shift is evident in works like "Taches du soleil sur la terrace" (1890). He famously stated, "Art is no longer a visual sensation... it is a creation of our spirit," highlighting his belief in art as an idealistic expression, transcending mere imitation of nature.
Denis was also impacted by Japanese art, which influenced his compositions and styles, contributing to his unique and recognizable approach. His philosophy on art, encapsulated in his 1890 essay published in "Art et Critique," emphasized the importance of color and form in creating emotional depth, a notion that laid the groundwork for modernism. He argued that a painting's essence lies in its colors and composition, rather than its subject matter.
Throughout his career, Denis's work evolved towards a more classical approach. His involvement with the Ateliers d'Art Sacré, founded in 1919, demonstrated his interest in religious art and decoration. His notable works include "The Legend of Saint Hubert" (1897) and "The History of Music" for the Théâtre des Champs Elysées (1912-1913).
Tragically, Maurice Denis's life ended on November 13, 1943, when he was struck by a truck during the German occupation of Paris. However, his legacy endures through his contributions to modern art and symbolism, his influence on fellow artists, and his works displayed in various museums and galleries.
For collectors and art experts, Denis's work offers a unique glimpse into the evolution of modern art. His blend of symbolism, color, and form marks a significant shift in art history. To stay updated on new sales and auction events related to Maurice Denis's work, sign up for our newsletter. This subscription will keep you informed about the latest developments in the world of this remarkable artist.
Karl Wilhelm Diefenbach was a German artist of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. He is known as a painter, graphic artist, representative of Symbolism and Art Nouveau style, as well as a public figure, the creator of the commune Himmelhof.
Diefenbach gained fame as an artist while he was still a young man. He made a successful living by creating illustrations for children's books and watercolor copies. In 1882, he announced the creation of his own doctrine, which included ideas about living in harmony with nature, rejecting monogamy and religion, practicing naturism and vegatarianism. The artist then also created the famous 68-meter frieze work "Per aspera ad astra". Diefenbach became a major artist on the island of Capri, while in his homeland his work was neglected.
Gaines Ruger Donoho was an American painter.
He practised as an Impressionist, Symbolist and Tonalist painter in Manhattan. In 1891, he moved to East Hampton, where he continued to paint. He is best known for his landscape and garden paintings, some of which are reminiscent of Claude Monet's Giverney garden paintings. Additionally, he also did some drawings.
Some of his work is exhibited at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in Manhattan, Brooklyn Museum in Brooklyn, New York City and at the Mississippi Museum of Art in Jackson, Mississippi.
Gustave Doré, full name Paul Gustave Louis Christophe Doré, was a French painter, sculptor, graphic artist, illustrator, and cartoonist.
Doré was very industrious and prolific: he created more than 10,000 illustrations for art books as well as the Bible. He decorated the works of Rabelais, Balzac, Cervantes, Dante and Milton with his lively drawings, making Doré's name famous. He had a special gift for illustrating nature and fairy tales.
Nikolay Nikanorovich Dubovskoy (Russian: Николай Никанорович Дубовской) was a distinguished Russian landscape painter, renowned for his significant contributions to the "Landscape of Mood" movement alongside Isaac Levitan. Born into a Don Cossack family in Novocherkassk in 1859, Dubovskoy demonstrated artistic talent from an early age, initially encouraged by his uncle A.V. Pyshkin. Despite his father's initial insistence on a military career, Dubovskoy pursued his passion for art, studying under Mikhail Clodt at the Imperial Academy of Arts and later refusing a conventional academic path to instead exhibit with the Imperial Society for the Encouragement of the Arts. His work, "Winter," gained him early recognition when acquired by the Tretyakov Gallery in 1884.
Dubovskoy's legacy includes several masterpieces, such as "After the Rain," a beautiful example of his mature period that demonstrates the influence of French Impressionism, with its open composition and luminous treatment of light. This piece and others underline his mastery in capturing the nuanced interplay of light and atmosphere, resonating with both the Impressionist and Itinerant movements. Unfortunately, the distribution of his works across various museums after his death and the Soviet Union's collapse has made accessing his complete oeuvre challenging, requiring a journey across multiple countries.
Dubovskoy's contributions to Russian landscape painting and his unique ability to evoke mood and atmosphere in his works have cemented his place among the greats of the art world. His paintings, such as "The Calm Evening," praised as a "poem in gold" by critics, demonstrate his exceptional skill in rendering the delicate interplay of light and color. For those interested in exploring the depths of Russian landscape painting, Nikolay Nikanorovich Dubovskoy's works offer a rich and emotive experience, embodying the spirit of an era and the beauty of the Russian landscape.
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Henri Fantin-Latour was a French painter and lithographer renowned for his exquisite flower paintings and insightful group portraits of Parisian artists and writers. His artistic journey began in Grenoble, where he was born in 1836, but it flourished in Paris, where he moved at a young age to study art. Despite his associations with Impressionists like Édouard Manet and Claude Monet, Fantin-Latour carved his unique path, focusing on still life and portraiture rather than adopting the Impressionist style.
Henri Fantin-Latour's knack for capturing the essence of his subjects is evident in his group portraits, which were not just mere representations but insightful depictions of the artistic and literary circles of his time. His notable works like "A Studio at Les Batignolles" illustrate the camaraderie among artists like Manet, Renoir, and Monet, offering a window into the vibrant Parisian art scene of the 19th century. His still lifes, particularly his flower paintings, are celebrated for their realism and delicate precision, making them a favorite among collectors and art enthusiasts.
In addition to his painting, Henri Fantin-Latour's lithographs, inspired by classical music and imbued with a poetic and symbolic quality, reveal another dimension of his talent, showcasing his ability to transcend the boundaries of realism and delve into the realm of imagination.
For art collectors and experts, Henri Fantin-Latour's works offer a blend of technical mastery and a deep understanding of the interplay between art, music, and literature. His contributions to the art world are remembered and celebrated in museums around the globe, where his works continue to inspire and captivate audiences.
For those interested in exploring more about Henri Fantin-Latour's life and works, visiting exhibitions or keeping abreast of auctions featuring his art can provide valuable insights into his creative genius. To stay updated on related events and opportunities, consider subscribing to updates from art institutions or galleries specializing in 19th-century French art.
Léon-Paul Fargue was a French poet and novelist, journalist and publicist.
Léon-Paul studied at the Lycée Henry IV in Paris and as a young man became a member of the Symbolist circle associated with Le Mercure de France. His first collection of poems was published in 1912 and reprinted in 1918. After 1930, Fargue practiced journalism almost exclusively, writing newspaper columns and lyrical essays on Parisian life.
Léon Fargue's work encompasses various literary movements, being a kind of bridge from Symbolism to Surrealism. His work has also been associated with the Dadaists and the Cubists, but he followed his own path throughout his life. Fargue was among the founders of the Nouvelle Revue Française in 1912 and participated in the first issue of the surrealist journal Literature in 1919, and was one of the leaders of the experimental journal Commerce in the 1920s. Farg was friends with many writers, artists and composers, including Pablo Picasso and Igor Stravinsky.
In 1937, Léon-Paul Fargue was elected a member of the Académie Mallarmé, and in 1946 he won the Grand Poet Laureate of Paris.
Nikolai Petrovich Feofilaktov (Russian: Николай Петрович Феофилактов) was a Russian graphic artist and a prominent figure in the Moscow art Nouveau and symbolism movements. Born in Moscow in 1878, Feofilaktov was a self-taught artist in painting and music, deeply influenced by Mikhail Vrubel and the graphics of Western European Jugendstil. Notably, in 1904, he participated in the "Scarlet Rose" exhibition, establishing connections with the "Blue Rose" artists and participating in their exhibitions. Feofilaktov was notably influenced by the work of Aubrey Beardsley, earning him the nickname "Moscow Beardsley" or "bergsmannen" due to his intricate and diletante style. His graphic work, characterized by its whimsical and slightly naive depiction of morbid fantasies, masks, and mythical creatures, was well-received for its artistic merit and distinctive Moscow style plasticity.
After 1910, Feofilaktov's popularity waned, and he shifted his focus to painting, working in the publishing house "Academia" from 1933 to 1937. His early success was marked by his association with the magazine "Vesy" and the Symbolist movement in Moscow, showcasing his ability to blend graphic art with literary culture. Feofilaktov's work was a critical reflection of the spirit and aspirations of Russian symbolism's "second wave," highlighting his significant contributions to Russian graphic art and symbolist literature.
Feofilaktov's artworks have been recognized and valued in the art market, with his pieces being auctioned and collected internationally. This recognition underscores the enduring appeal and historical significance of his contributions to Russian art and symbolism.
For collectors and experts in art and antiques, Nikolai Petrovich Feofilaktov's work represents a unique blend of Russian symbolism and Moscow art Nouveau, making his pieces highly sought after. His influence on and contributions to the Russian art scene during a pivotal period in its development continue to be celebrated and studied. To stay updated on new product sales and auction events related to Feofilaktov, sign up for updates. This subscription will ensure that you are informed about opportunities to acquire works by this distinguished artist.
Anselm Feuerbach was a famous 19th-century German painter, an outstanding master of the historical genre.
Anselm Feuerbach was also a skilful portrait painter, the majority of his paintings are in the style of Neoclassicism. His finest masterpieces are nowadays kept in museums in Germany, and his biography is closely linked to Italy, where the artist lived for a considerable part of his life.
Edward Morgan Forster, English novelist, essayist, and critic, was a prominent literary figure of the early twentieth century. Born on 1 January 1879 in London and died on 7 June 1970 in Coventry, Forster's work was celebrated for its profound critique of social conventions, class distinctions and hypocrisy in British society. A member of the influential Bloomsbury group, Forster did not confine himself to novels, but also wrote essays, gave speeches and hosted programmes.
E. M. Forster was characterised by wit and a fine sense of irony. His novels, particularly A Room with a View, Howards End and A Passage to India, were recognised for their well-crafted plots and insightful social commentary. Not only have these works earned them a place in literature, but they have also been nominated for the Nobel Prize for Literature. The films A Room with a View and Howards End won Academy Awards and have been recognised and celebrated in film archives and retrospectives by film institutions.
Edward Morgan Forster's novels serve as critical social commentary of their time and remain relevant to this day. Those interested in the intersection of literary art and its influence on film can look to first editions of his works or objects associated with acclaimed film adaptations to add to their collections.
Caspar David Friedrich was a German painter of the late eighteenth and first half of the nineteenth centuries. He is known as a painter, draughtsman, watercolorist and is considered a key figure of early German Romanticism.
Caspar David Friedrich was the leader of the so-called Dresden Romantics, known for their emotionally intense landscapes. The artist himself viewed nature as a reflection of the soul and a symbol of religious experiences, creating works with deep symbolism. He actively used landscape to convey his emotions and used the technique of transporting the viewer into the virtual space of the painting. His works often depicted figures immersed in the contemplation of nature, facing infinity, which created a unique effect.
Henry Fuseli (German: Johann Heinrich Füssli) was a Swiss painter, draughtsman and writer on art who spent much of his life in Britain. Many of his works, such as The Nightmare, deal with supernatural subject matter. He painted works for John Boydell's Shakespeare Gallery, and created his own "Milton Gallery". He held the posts of Professor of Painting and Keeper at the Royal Academy. His style had a considerable influence on many younger British artists, including William Blake.
Emile Gallé was a French artist and designer who worked in glass, and is considered to be one of the major innovators in the French Art Nouveau movement. He was noted for his designs of Art Nouveau glass art and Art Nouveau furniture, and was a founder of the École de Nancy or Nancy School, a movement of design in the city of Nancy, France.
Akseli Gallen-Kallela, born Axel Waldemar Gallén, is a Finnish artist of Swedish descent.
He studied at the Académie Julian in Paris, traveled to Africa, and later designed flags, coats of arms and uniforms for the army of independent Finland.
Akseli Gallen-Kallela is a representative of Finnish National Romanticism and Northern Art Nouveau painting from 1880-1910. In his work he used symbolism and artistic techniques of Art Nouveau style. The unvarnished depiction of disease, suffering and social hardship was part of the naturalistic conception of art that Gallen-Kallela followed from the beginning of his career. He frequently painted the harshness of life, often with elements of Christian symbolism.
Nikolai Nikolaevich Ge (Russian: Николай Николаевич Ге) was a distinguished Russian painter, whose contributions to the world of art are celebrated for their emotional depth and philosophical introspection. Born in 1831, Ge's work spans a variety of themes, including religious, historical, and psychological subjects, making him a versatile artist in the realm of 19th-century Russian culture. His paintings are known not just for their aesthetic appeal but also for their ability to provoke thought and evoke deep emotions.
Ge's art is marked by its intense exploration of moral and spiritual questions, distinguishing him from his contemporaries. One of his most famous works, "The Last Supper" (1863), showcases his ability to infuse traditional religious scenes with a new level of emotional intensity and humanism. This painting, along with others like "Christ in the Garden of Gethsemane" (1868), reflects Ge's deep engagement with the themes of suffering, redemption, and the human condition. His approach to these universal subjects has earned him a special place in the canon of Russian art, making his works highly sought after by collectors and experts in art and antiques.
Ge's contributions to art extend beyond his individual works. His commitment to portraying the human experience with honesty and depth has influenced generations of artists. His paintings can be found in prestigious galleries and museums, serving as a testament to his enduring legacy. For collectors and art aficionados, Ge's work represents not only an investment in Russian culture and history but also an ongoing exploration of the depths of human emotion and spirituality.
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Ernst Otto Greiner was a German painter and graphic artist. He studied at the Munich Academy of Fine Arts.
Otto Greiner was one of the outstanding masters of German Art Nouveau. The painter's mature style, characterised by unexpected spatial juxtapositions and sharply focused photographic naturalism, was strongly influenced by the work of Max Klinger.
John Atkinson Grimshaw was an English Victorian-era artist best known for his nocturnal scenes of urban landscapes. He was called a «remarkable and imaginative painter» by the critic and historian Christopher Wood in Victorian Painting (1999).
Grimshaw's love for realism stemmed from a passion for photography, which would eventually lend itself to the creative process. Though entirely self-taught, he is known to have used a camera obscura or lenses to project scenes onto canvas, which made up for his shortcomings as a draughtsman and his imperfect knowledge of perspective. This technique, which Caravaggio and Vermeer may also have used, was condemned by a number of his contemporaries who believed it demonstrated less skill than painting by eye, with some claiming that his paintings appeared to «show no marks of handling or brushwork», while others "were doubtful whether they could be accepted as paintings at all". However, many recognised his mastery of colour, lighting and shadow, as well as his unique ability to provoke strong emotional responses in the viewer. James McNeill Whistler, who Grimshaw worked with in his Chelsea studios, stated, «I considered myself the inventor of nocturnes until I saw Grimmy's moonlit pictures».
Friedrich Gunkel was a German painter. Gunkel studied at the Academy in Kassel. Here he was a student of Ludwig Emil Grimm and Friedrich Wilhelm Müller and was soon considered the best student in the drawing class. He went to Berlin and worked in the studio of Peter von Cornelius as his assistant. From May 9, 1847, he lived in Rome as a German Roman and became a member of the German Association of Artists. In 1856 he formed a community with the sculptors Gustav Kaupert and Heinrich Gerhardt and the painter Heinrich Dreber. Gunkel's most famous work was the Hermannsschlacht, a monumental history painting that the Bavarian King Maximilian II had commissioned in 1857 for the Maximilianeum and that Gunkel completed in Munich between 1862 and 1864. Destroyed in World War II, it survives only in photographs and reproductions.
Vilhelm Hammershøi was a Danish painter of predominantly interiors, a representative of the Symbolist movement.
Vilhelm studied at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts in Copenhagen, and a few years later at the 1889 World Exhibition in Paris, four of his paintings were exhibited in the Danish pavilion. Hammershøi was the last significant painter in nineteenth-century Danish art. He painted against a background of contemporary experience, but his painting never deviated from the basic rules of Danish Golden Age paintings.
At first his motifs alternated between figure and landscape painting, and later Hammershøi became truly an interior painter. Rooms became a constant source of subjects for him, and the walls and windows that form the boundary to the world almost literally became the backdrop for his paintings. People in his paintings, if present, then as silent statues, completely immersed in their thoughts. All his works, whether portraits, interiors or landscapes, are full of silence, peace and melancholy.
Ferdinand Heilbuth was a nineteenth-century German painter who spent much of his career in France. He is particularly known as a watercolorist, one of the first members of the Society of French Watercolorists.
Heilbuth initially became famous for his portraits done in the style of Titian and Rembrandt. Later, however, he abandoned the portrait genre entirely in favor of historical and everyday subjects and began to depict scenes from the high society of past times. Then, having become a plein air painter, he painted landscapes in Paris and made sketches in London. His paintings were distinguished by their lightness, airiness and masterful technique, and his watercolors were especially skillful.
Hermann Hendrich was a German painter of the last quarter of the nineteenth and first third of the twentieth centuries. He is known as a painter known for his works in the Romantic and Old Germanic style.
Hendrich considered the canvases and interior for the "Walpurgis Hall" near Thale, created in 1901, to be the pinnacle of his work. For the "Nibelungen Hall" on Mount Drachenfels, opened in 1913 in honor of Richard Wagner, he painted 12 canvases based on ancient Germanic legends. The artist also created illustrations for Goethe's works, as well as exhibitions in the "Hall of German Sagas" in Solingen.
Hendrich was a co-founder of the Verdandi Union, which opposed modernism in art. A square in Berlin, Gendrichplatz, is named in his honor.
Ferdinand Hodler was one of the best-known Swiss painters of the nineteenth century. His early works were portraits, landscapes, and genre paintings in a realistic style. Later, he adopted a personal form of symbolism which he called "parallelism".
Much of Hodler's work is in public collections in Switzerland. Other collections holding major works include the Musée d'Orsay in Paris, the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, and the Art Institute of Chicago.
Ludwig von Hofmann is a German painter, graphic artist and designer. The influence of Historicism, Art Nouveau, Symbolism and New Realism can be felt in the works of Ludwig von Hofmann at different periods of his art.
Ludwig von Hoffmann studied painting at the academies of fine arts in Dresden, Karlsruhe and Munich. Since 1898 he was a member of the cultural movement Berlin Secession.
After the National Socialists came to power in Germany, some of his works were classified as degenerate art, but most of them continued to be exhibited in museums in Germany.
William Holman Hunt was an English painter and one of the founders of the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood. His paintings were notable for their great attention to detail, vivid colour, and elaborate symbolism. These features were influenced by the writings of John Ruskin and Thomas Carlyle, according to whom the world itself should be read as a system of visual signs. For Hunt it was the duty of the artist to reveal the correspondence between sign and fact. Of all the members of the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood, Hunt remained most true to their ideals throughout his career. He was always keen to maximise the popular appeal and public visibility of his works.
Joris-Karl Huysmans, real name Harles-Georges-Marie Huysmans, was a French writer and poet, the first president of the Goncourt Academy.
Huysmans' father was Dutch, and he always emphasized this fact. At the age of 20, the aspiring writer began working as an official in the French Ministry of the Interior, where he served all his life.
Huysmans received the greatest fame thanks to the novel À rebours ("Against Nature"). The main appeal of this writer's work lies in its autobiographical content. And his style is characterized by a wide vocabulary of the French language, a wealth of detailed and sensual descriptions, as well as sharp satirical wit. The novels are also notable for their encyclopedic documentation, ranging from a catalog of decadent Latin authors in À rebours to a discussion of the symbolism of Christian architecture in La Cathédrale.
In his work, Huysmans expresses a distaste for modern life and a deep pessimism, but in his writings one can trace the stages of intellectual life in late nineteenth-century France. Joris-Karl Huysmans was one of the earliest proponents of Impressionism. He was also a renowned literary critic and one of the founders and first president of the Goncourt Academy.
Georg Janny was an Austrian landscape painter and set designer.
He worked as a scene painter in the studios of Carlo Brioschi and Johann Kautsky, alongside Alfons Mucha, and was a member of the Dürerbund.
He also painted landscapes and figures, including scenes from fairy-tales or imaginary worlds that are reminiscent of the works of Arnold Böcklin or Gustave Doré.
Ferdinand Keller was a German painter of the last third of the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. He is known as a genre and historical painter as well as a teacher.
Keller earned his first major success in 1867 with his painting The Death of King Philip II of Spain. In his monumental works, he celebrated historical, dynastic, and cultural episodes in the history of Germany and Baden. One of his famous works is the painting "Apotheosis of Kaiser Wilhelm I", which was purchased by Kaiser Wilhelm II. Keller's works now grace the halls of theaters including the Baden State Theater and the Semper Opera in Dresden.
Gustav Klimt, an Austrian Symbolist painter, was a central figure in Vienna's Secession movement, known for his paintings, murals, sketches, and objets d'art. Born on July 14, 1862, in Baumgarten near Vienna, Klimt's early life was marked by financial hardship, but he showed artistic talent at a young age. He studied at Vienna's Kunstgewerbeschule, where he received a conservative education in architectural painting that influenced his early traditional works.
Klimt's path as an artist was evolutionary and controversial. Initially a successful painter of architectural decorations, his style evolved into a more personal and controversial form, especially after public criticism of his works for the Great Hall of the University of Vienna in 1900, which were deemed pornographic. This turning point led him to abandon public commissions and begin the so-called "golden period," characterized by the use of gold leaf in his work. Some of his most famous paintings, such as The Kiss and Portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer I, which demonstrate a combination of Byzantine influence and modern symbolism, belong to this phase.
An important aspect of Klimt's career was his participation in the Vienna Secession, an art movement he co-founded in 1897. This movement, which had no manifesto, aimed to showcase unconventional artists and to bring foreign artistic influences to Vienna. Klimt was its first president and participated in the creation of the periodical Ver Sacrum.
Despite his artistic fame, Klimt led a relatively withdrawn lifestyle, often working alone and maintaining discreet personal relationships. Nevertheless, his legacy remains strong: his works fetch high prices at auction and continue to be celebrated for their innovative style and symbolic depth.
For collectors and art experts, Klimt's work represents a fascinating exploration of the evolution of Symbolism and Art Nouveau. His unique approach to form, color, and subject matter makes his work highly valued and constantly relevant in the art world.
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Fernand Khnopff, full name Fernand-Edmond-Jean-Marie Khnopff, was a Belgian Symbolist painter, graphic artist, sculptor and art historian.
Born into a wealthy family, Fernand attended the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Brussels, where he studied painting with Xavier Mellerie. Throughout his years at the academy, Khnopff spent summers in Paris studying art, and at the 1878 World's Fair he saw the works of Pre-Raphaelite Edward Burne-Jones and Symbolist Gustave Moreau, which had a decisive influence on his work.
In the early 1880s Khnopff began to exhibit his Symbolist works, often inspired by literary works, particularly by Gustave Flaubert. His paintings combined precise realism with an ethereal fairy-tale atmosphere, and he also painted portraits.
In 1883 Khnopff co-founded Les Vingt, a group of Belgian avant-garde artists. From the early 1990s, he collaborated regularly with the Brussels opera house Royal de la Monnaie, designing costumes and sets for many productions. He also designed the interiors of Brussels' landmark buildings: the Maison Stoclet and the Hôtel de Ville in Saint-Gilles.