Art Movements

The symbolism movement, which was a continuation of the Romantic style and included mysticism and heightened sensitivity, originated in France in the 19th century. The world was expanding rapidly at the time, industrialization was making a spectacular debut, and immigration was bringing various cultures together. It also exposed materialism, and in response, symbolist writers and painters turned away from the outside world in favor of investigating the inner realities. Symbolists felt that art should capture more absolute facts that could only be reached indirectly, hence this movement was more of a psychological approach than a true art movement. Symbolists had an impact on Les Nabis, Art Nouveau, Surrealism, and Expressionism movements.

Discuss how Carl Gustav Jung (1875-1961), one of the greatest symbolists of the 19th century explained the theory of the symbolism movement.