Gustave Moreau: Magic and Symbols

by Geneviève Lacambre, Gustave Moreau, Benjamin Lifson (Translator)

Gustave Moreau was one of the most influential painters of the 19th century, yet he is little known today. Teacher of Henri Matisse and Georges Rouault, he created a world of glittering, bejeweled illusion and mystery in his art. His complex, decorative style united a passion for mythology and mysticism with exquisite craftsmanship, and inspired a generation of Symbolist painters, poets, and writers, among them Proust, Mallarme, and the English Pre-Raphaelites. In his elusive, shadowed universe, compounded of dreams, memories, fragments of poetry, and ancient myths, Salome dances, Oedipus confronts the Sphinx, and Orpheus, master of music, sets his lyre singing. Trained in Renaissance art traditions, Moreau helped to open the way for modern art, and was especially fascinating to the later Surrealists, themselves drunk on dreams. Genevieve Lacambre takes us into the heart of this man's unique creativity, exploring his life and artistic sources. More than 120 paintings, drawings, and watercolors and a wealth of documents, letters, and photographs illustrate the life and work of this singular artist.

Genres: Art, Art History, Nonfiction

127 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 1999

Reviews

[Matthew · Rating 3 out of 5]

Odilon Redon on Moreau -

"I defy you to find... beneath the cold ceilings of the academic temple, a spirit which thus rejuvenates Antiquity with such total liberty and in a form at once so contained and so vehement".

Jean Lorrain on Moreau -

"[He] is an enchanter haunted to the point of suffering by symbols and enigmas of ancient theogonies".

This short examination of Moreau's work is excellent for those introduced to him via Joris-Karl Huysmans' descriptions in Against Nature. The final collection of critic's passages on Moreau was interesting as it featured Lorrain and d'Aurevilly.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I hadn't appreciated how great Gustave Moreau's paintings were. His drawings are also fantastic. I'm going to be looking more closely at his paintings.

[James Tregonning · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ever wondered how not to format a book? You're in the right place

[Kasandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

My only complaint about this book was its very small format, such that the brilliance of the paintings and the exquisite color leaves one hungering to go to his museum in Paris. That's probably the point! An in-depth biography with lots of anecdotes, colorful information, fantastic illustrations throughout, and even reprints of criticism (both pro and con) about Moreau from peers, judges, and students. There is a lot of wonderful detail to love here. If you aren't familiar with Moreau, this will tell you all need to know before you hit a museum to see some of his work (I first saw his work at the Fogg). Highly recommended.

[Carrie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was so glad I finally found something about this artist. I attempted to recreate a painting of his when I was in 8th grade, and I've been enamored since then. The problem being that during his lifetime he achieved notoriety, but now (in the US at least), he's not very well known. Though now, I want to go to his museum even more.

Quick and easy little read about his life and art.