Post-Impressionism, an art-historical epoch that developed towards the end of the 19th century, marked a decisive departure from Impressionism. This article focuses on an often overlooked but essential aspect of Post-Impressionism: the role of Symbolism in painting.
Post-Impressionism was not a unified movement, but a collective term for various artists who developed after the Impressionist era. These artists, including Vincent van Gogh, Paul Gauguin and Paul Cézanne, endeavoured to expand the boundaries of Impressionism. They wanted not only to depict the external world, but also to explore emotional and symbolic depths.
A central feature of Post-Impressionism was the increased use of symbols. In contrast to Impressionism, which focussed on depicting the fleeting moment, Post-Impressionists used symbols to express deeper meanings and emotions. These symbols were often personal and subjective and gave the works a new, often mystical quality.
Vincent van Gogh was a master of symbolism. His works, such as “Starry Night”, are full of symbolic meanings. The sky in “Starry Night” is not only a representation of the night, but also an expression of deep emotions and spiritual longings. The swirling shapes and bright colours symbolise Van Gogh’s inner world and his view of the universe.
Paul Gauguin went one step further. In his paintings, such as “Where do we come from? What are we? Where are we going?”, he used symbolism to explore existential questions. Gauguin used colourful, simplified forms and exotic motifs to convey ideas about life, death and the meaning of existence.
Another characteristic feature of Post-Impressionism was the departure from traditional perspectives and forms. Artists such as Paul Cézanne experimented with new modes of representation that challenged spatial logic and conventional forms. In his still lifes and landscape paintings, Cézanne broke with traditional perspective, creating works that contained both realistic and abstract elements.
The transformative role of Symbolism in Post-Impressionism had far-reaching effects on the art of the 20th century. It initiated the transition from the depiction of external reality to the exploration of the artist’s inner world. This movement directly influenced the development of Expressionism and other modern art movements.
In conclusion, the symbolic dimension of Post-Impressionism played a key role in the development of modern art. By introducing symbolic and emotional depths into their works, the Post-Impressionists expanded the possibilities of painting and opened the door to new, innovative art forms.