Symbolists refer to the group of artists, writers, and thinkers who belonged to the Symbolist movement, which emerged in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Symbolism, as an artistic and literary movement, sought to express emotions, ideas, and themes through symbolic representation rather than through direct, realistic depiction. Symbolists aimed to capture the ineffable, the spiritual, and the unconscious aspects of existence, exploring the depth of human experience.
In the field of visual arts, symbolists emphasized the use of symbolic motifs, non-literal representations, and vivid imagery to convey deeper meanings. They frequently utilized suggestive and elusive compositions, rich in metaphors, allegories, and allusions. Symbolist artists rejected the traditional emphasis on exact representation, turning instead to depict their inner subjective experiences and personal beliefs.
Symbolist writers, on the other hand, employed symbols, metaphors, and suggestive imagery to create enigmatic and highly individualistic poetry and fiction. They sought to evoke emotions, moods, and sensory experiences in their readers, focusing on the mystical, the dreamlike, and the subconscious. The Symbolist movement greatly influenced modernist literature and poetry, with writers such as Charles Baudelaire, Stéphane Mallarmé, and Arthur Rimbaud being key figures.
Overall, symbolists can be seen as artists and writers who embraced a highly metaphorical and abstract approach, seeking to consolidate emotional, spiritual, and intellectual ideas into symbolic representations that provoke multiple interpretations and invite a richer engagement with the artwork or literature.
