Writers Symbolism
Anselmo Bucci was an Italian painter, printmaker, writer and one of the founders of the Neoclassical trend in Italian art in the early 20th century, the Novecento.
Anselmo Bucci studied painting in Venice and the Brera Academy in Milan. From 1906 to 1914, he lived in Paris where he joined the Groupe libre, a group of artists who accepted a departure from academic canons, but did not share the ideas of avant-gardism.
Anselmo Bucci is a modernist painter, symbolist with strong Fauvist features. Created a number of monumental works, as well as small paintings of a lyrical nature.
Along with painting, he was actively engaged in literary activities. In 1930 he was one of the first recipients of the prestigious Viareggio literary prize.
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.
Antoine Marie Jean-Baptiste Roger, Comte de Saint-Exupéry, known as Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, is a French national treasure who seamlessly combined his profession as an aviator with his literary genius. Known for "The Little Prince," he masterfully blended philosophy and poetic discourse into narrative forms. This author, journalist, and pioneering pilot left an indelible mark through his literary works and contributions to aviation.
Saint-Exupéry's merits transcend his inventive storytelling; his narratives often reflect his aviation experiences, offering unique insights into humanity and technology's intersection. His works, though not housed as traditional art in museums, reside in the Louvre of public imagination and literary canon.
For enthusiasts and experts, Saint-Exupéry's legacy is a testament to the enduring power of human spirit and curiosity. His narrative sculptures crafted from words, deeply philosophical and yet whimsically accessible, continue to inspire and resonate. Dive into the world of this exceptional storyteller and aviator to explore the skies of human experience.
Marc Eemans was a Belgian painter, poet and art historian, one of the pioneers of constructivist abstraction.
In 1925, Eemans joined the Surrealist artists Dali and Magritte, with whom he held joint exhibitions. And soon the poet's fame eclipsed his success as a painter. In 1930, Eemans made his debut as a poet in Vergeten te worden: 10 lijnvormen, beïnvloed Door 10 woordvormen. Influenced by Symbolism, he calls his poetry "gnostic surrealism". In 1938 he publishes a collection of poems, Visioen Woli, and others.
His artistic and political stance during World War II led to a break with Magritte and others.
In addition to poetry collections, Eemans wrote essays on a variety of subjects, including modern painting and architecture.
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.
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.
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.
Kuzma Sergeyevich Petrov-Vodkin (Russian: Кузьма Сергеевич Петров-Водкин), a Russian painter, synthesized various traditions of global art, crafting a unique and deeply personal visual language. Born in 1878 in Khvalynsk, Saratov oblast, Russian Empire, Petrov-Vodkin is celebrated for his innovative approach to perspective, color, and composition, which positioned him as a pivotal figure in the art world of his time. He passed away in 1939 in Leningrad, now known as St. Petersburg, Russia.
Petrov-Vodkin's education in the arts took him from the Baron Stieglits School in Saint Petersburg to the Moscow School of Painting, Sculpture, and Architecture, where he was mentored by notable artists such as Valentin Serov. His studies abroad, including in Munich under Anton Ažbe, further enriched his artistic development. Notably, his marriage to Maria Jovanovic in Paris in 1906 marked a significant personal chapter, providing him with a lifelong companion and collaborator.
His work is distinguished by the use of "spherical perspective," a technique that distorts the drawing to emphasize the globe's curvature, making the viewer feel simultaneously distant and intimately close to the subject. This method, influenced by Byzantine iconography's inverted perspective, is evident in works like "Death of a Commissar" and "In the Line of Fire." Petrov-Vodkin's palette darkened over time, and his subjects diversified to include still life and portraiture, reflecting a broader exploration of theme and form. Despite facing health challenges, including pulmonary tuberculosis which limited his painting in later years, he remained prolific in other creative avenues, including literature, where his semi-autobiographical works are held in high regard.
His legacy is enshrined in the Russian Museum in St. Petersburg, which houses the largest collection of his works and dedicates a room to his art in their permanent exhibition. Additionally, a memorial museum in his hometown of Khvalynsk pays tribute to his contributions to Russian and Soviet art.
For collectors and art and antiques experts intrigued by Petrov-Vodkin's profound impact on Russian art, signing up for updates can ensure access to the latest sales and auction events related to his oeuvre. This subscription is a gateway to exploring the depth and breadth of Petrov-Vodkin's artistic achievements and ensuring enthusiasts are well-informed of opportunities to engage with his work.
Charles de Sousy Ricketts was a British artist, illustrator, author and printer, known for his work as a book designer and typographer and for his costume and scenery designs for plays and operas.
Ricketts was born in Geneva to an English father and a French mother and brought up mainly in France. In 1882 he began studying wood engraving in London, where he met a fellow student, Charles Shannon, who became his lifelong companion and artistic collaborator. Ricketts first made his mark in book production, first as an illustrator, and then as the founder and driving force of the Vale Press (1896–1904), one of the leading private presses of the day, for which he designed the type and illustrations. A disastrous fire at the printers led to the closure of the press, and Ricketts turned increasingly to painting and sculpture over the following two decades.
Nikolai Konstantinovich Roerich (Russian: Никола́й Константи́нович Ре́рих) was a distinguished Russian artist, writer, archaeologist, and philosopher, renowned for his profound contributions to culture and art. His multifaceted career spanned various disciplines, but it was his exceptional talent in painting that immortalized his name among the greats. Roerich's art is celebrated for its mystical and symbolic themes, often drawing inspiration from Russian folklore, religion, and his own spiritual quests. His dedication to cultural preservation and peace through art led to the establishment of the Roerich Pact, a treaty advocating for the protection of cultural heritage.
Roerich's paintings are characterized by vibrant colors and intricate details, capturing the ethereal beauty of landscapes and mythical scenes. His works, such as "Madonna Laboris" and the series "Sancta," are revered for their spiritual depth and artistic excellence. These masterpieces can be found in prestigious museums and galleries worldwide, serving as testaments to Roerich's enduring legacy in the art world. His commitment to integrating spiritual and cultural dimensions in his art has made him a seminal figure for collectors and experts in art and antiques.
Roerich's influence extends beyond his paintings; his philosophical writings and cultural initiatives have also left a significant mark on the fields of art and heritage preservation. As enthusiasts of art and antiquities continue to explore Roerich's rich legacy, there is a growing appreciation for his vision of unity and harmony through cultural expression. For those captivated by Roerich's remarkable life and works, signing up for updates is an invaluable opportunity to stay informed about new product sales and auction events dedicated to his art. This subscription is a gateway to exclusive insights and offerings that celebrate the legacy of Nikolai Konstantinovich Roerich, ensuring enthusiasts remain connected to the evolving exploration of his profound contributions.
Jan Verkade, birth name Johannes Sixtus Gerhardus Verkade, later changed to Willibrord Verkade, was a Dutch and German Benedictine monk, Post-Impressionist and Symbolist painter.
Jan was captivated by art from his youth and began studying painting at the State Academy of Fine Arts in Amsterdam, later in Paris he met Paul Gauguin, Paul Sérusier and other Symbolists, which played a major role in his worldview. In the last years of the 19th century, Verkade joined the Nabis (Les Nabis), a group of Symbolist artists. Fascinated by esoteric mysticism, the Kabbalah and Eastern magical teachings, he, however, adhered to the canons of Christianity.
In 1893 Verkade went to a Benedictine monastery in Boiron, Germany, painted churches and monasteries, and in 1902 he became a priest and changed his name to Willibrord Verkade. He continued to paint until 1927, but was no longer able to reach the level of his French period, considered his best period. However, he made a significant contribution to the Beuron school of art, which was founded by a confederation of Benedictine monks in Germany at the end of the 19th century. Up until his death in 1946, Verkade led a reclusive life, writing several religious, historical, and scientific linguistic works over the years.
Renée Vivien, born Pauline Mary Tarn, was a British poet associated with the Symbolist movement in French literature. Known for her passionate and sensual poetry, which often deals with themes of love, desire and the pursuit of beauty. Many of her poems are autobiographical, centred on Baudelairean themes of extreme romanticism and frequent despair.
Renee Vivien's work often raised themes of female desire, same-sex love, and the pursuit of unattainable beauty. Her poetry was characterised by rich imagery, musicality and emotional intensity. In addition to poetry, Vivien wrote several novels. She was also active in Parisian literary life.
Heinrich Vogeler was a German artist and philosopher, a representative of the German Art Nouveau. A versatile and talented artist, he painted, watercolored, composed poems, designed, designed and decorated. Over time, his style of art changed over a wide range.
During World War I, from 1914 to 1917, Vogeler was on the Eastern Front as a volunteer and made sketches, which resulted in his pacifist sentiments.
In the mid-1920s he visited the Soviet Union several times and his impressions resulted in paintings in his own "complex style: "Karelia and Murmansk" (1926), "Building a New Life in the Soviet Republics of Central Asia" (1927), and "Baku" (1927). In 1931 Vogeler received an invitation to work in the USSR. The coming to power of the Nazis in Germany made it impossible for him to return home, and after Hitler's invasion Vogeler among many was deported to the Kazakh SSR, where he died.
Nadezhda Savelyevna Voitinskaya-Levidova (Russian: Надежда Савельевна Войтинская-Левидова) was a multifaceted Russian artist, writer, and translator, whose life spanned from 1886 to 1965. Born into a family with a strong academic background in St. Petersburg, she carved a unique path for herself in the arts and literature. Voitinskaya-Levidova was not only known for her artistic talents but also for her resilience and adaptability through challenging times, including her wrongful arrest in 1938 and survival during the siege of Leningrad in World War II.
Her journey into the arts began with painting lessons in private studios in St. Petersburg, followed by studies in painting and lithography in Paris. Voitinskaya-Levidova's return to Petersburg marked the beginning of a prolific period where she became closely associated with the "World of Art" artists. She made significant contributions through a series of lithographic portraits of famous writers of her time in 1909, demonstrating her skill and versatility in graphic arts. Her academic achievements included graduating from the Petrograd Institute of Art History in 1924, after which she dedicated herself to teaching and translating, enriching the cultural landscape with her translations of works by European authors and her own literary works.
The legacy of Nadezhda Savelyevna Voitinskaya-Levidova is preserved in the archives of Russia's National Library and her artworks, many of which are housed in prestigious collections such as the State Russian Museum, the Tretyakov Gallery, and the Pushkin Museum of Fine Arts. Her life and work stand as a testament to her enduring spirit and significant contributions to Russian art and literature.
For collectors and experts in art and antiques, the story of Nadezhda Savelyevna Voitinskaya-Levidova is a compelling narrative of creativity, resilience, and the power of cultural expression. Her contributions to art and literature continue to inspire and resonate with audiences, underscoring the importance of preserving and celebrating her legacy.
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