Symbolist Art

French school early 20th century The Young Flutist and the Bird, bears a monogram on the lower right (see photographe please) watercolor and gouache on paper 20.5 x 25.5 cm framed ...

Woodcut print on paper. Not signed. A finely executed Ex Libris created for Gino Sabattini, conceived in a distinctly Neo-Gothic and Medieval Revival style. The composition portray...

"The Stair in the Tower" - original large art by Paula Craioveanu Original, large, unique painting, oil on canvas, 31.5x23.6in / 80x60cm. Shipped rolled in a tube. Check 1stDibs code FREESHIP This painting, a study of an elaborate spiral staircase, demonstrates the artist’s skill in merging architectural elegance with a dynamic sense of movement and mystery. The subject itself—a wrought iron spiral staircase—becomes more than a functional object; it transforms into a metaphor for transcendence, curiosity, and the infinite. The staircase is richly ornate, with swirling ironwork patterns and intricate details that capture the eye. The artist emphasizes the craftsmanship, elevating the staircase into a work of art itself. The ornamental designs echo Baroque or Rococo influences, known for their flamboyance and decorative excess. The spiral is inherently dynamic, drawing the viewer’s gaze upward in a continuous loop. This quality imbues the staircase with motion and energy, almost as if it is alive, spiraling into another dimension. The artist employs a dramatic perspective, positioning the viewer at the base of the staircase, looking upward. This composition evokes a sense of aspiration or awe, as if the staircase ascends to an unknown destination. The light filtering through the structure accentuates the curvature and creates a contrast between the solid metal of the staircase and the soft, ephemeral glow of the environment. This interplay of light and shadow enhances the mood, making the staircase seem both tangible and ethereal. The cool metallic grays and silvers of the staircase reflect its materiality, suggesting durability and permanence. At the same time, the reflective surfaces give it a shimmering, almost celestial quality. The background is suffused with warm, earthy tones—yellows, browns, and muted greens—that contrast with the cold metal of the staircase. This contrast creates a sense of tension between the man-made structure and the organic or natural environment surrounding it. Symbolism. Spiral staircases are often symbolic of a journey, both physical and spiritual. They represent the process of ascent, growth, and transformation. This staircase seems to lead into a vortex of light, suggesting a path to enlightenment or transcendence. The spiral is a recurring motif in art and nature, often representing infinity, cycles, and continuity. The staircase's design hints at a journey without end, encouraging reflection on the passage of time and the eternal nature of life. The destination of the staircase is deliberately obscured, leaving the viewer to wonder where it leads. This creates a sense of mystery, drawing the viewer into an imaginative exploration of the unknown. The swirling patterns in the ironwork mirror the overall spiral shape of the staircase, creating a sense of harmony and cohesion. These designs also add a decorative richness to the piece, tying it to the tradition of Romanticism or Gothic Revival, where even utilitarian objects were imbued with beauty and meaning. The background is loosely rendered, with soft, swirling brushstrokes that echo the spiral of the staircase. This abstraction contrasts with the detailed depiction of the staircase, making the environment feel less defined and more dreamlike. The staircase appears to float in a liminal space, further emphasizing its symbolic and otherworldly qualities. The viewer’s vantage point and the sheer scale of the staircase evoke a feeling of awe. It could symbolize humanity’s ambitions to reach higher realms—intellectually, spiritually, or artistically. The absence of people in the painting draws attention to the object itself, suggesting introspection or solitude. The staircase might represent a solitary journey, one that each individual must take alone. The intricate design and upward motion of the staircase, combined with the lack of a specific time or place, imbue the piece with a sense of timelessness. It could exist in any era, representing universal human themes. In comparison to the artist’s other works, this painting shifts focus from mythological and figurative themes to an architectural subject. Yet, it retains the artist’s characteristic use of ornamentation, bold perspectives, and symbolic depth. Like the Minotaur or Zeus paintings...

Love, Death and the Beyond is a original modern artwork realized by Max Klinger in 1881. The artwork belongs to a series of prints called Intermezzi realized by Max Klinger, publish...

Marc Chagall (1887-1985) - Daphnes and Chloé, Planche XLI Lithograph from 1961. Dimensions of work: 43 x 66 cm. Enhanced with gouache. Examined and identified by a French gallery ...

Marc Chagall (1887-1985) - La Ruse de Dorcon, from Daphnis et Chloé Lithograph from 1961. The edition of 59/60 with wide margins. Dimensions of work: 53.7 x 37.8 cm. Hand signed....

Woodcut on paper. Not signed. A refined Art Deco-inspired Ex Libris created for Gino Sabaittini, characterized by an elegant synthesis of classical mythology and early twentieth-ce...

An enigmatic woman and a black cat with luminous golden eyes inhabit an elegant interior where tailored sophistication meets quiet theatricality. In this original figurative painting...

Marc Chagall (1887–1985, France) Springtime in the Meadow, from Daphnis and Chloe, 1961 Marc Chagall’s Springtime in the Meadow is a vibrant color lithograph from his celebrated Dap...

Marc Chagall (1887-1985) - Lion Judah Lithograph from 1962. Printed by Mourlot.. Dimensions of work: 32 x 24 cm. Publisher: André Sauret, Monte Carlo. Reference: Mourlot 365. T...

Le Liseur is a prototype reproduction realized after Odilon Redon. They belong to the suite "Odilon Redon Peintre, Dessinateur et Graveur", published by Henri Felury in 1923. Titl...

Pencil drawing on paper realized by Martini in between 1908 and 1909. Titled in the front, not signed. Ref. Alberto Martini, Mostra Antologia Palazzo della Permanent, Milan, 1985, ...

Karl Johan Holter (Norway, 1870–1960) Young Man with Beret, 1896 chalk and white heightening on paper, paper mounted on board approx. 58 × 39 cm (unframed) / 22.8 × 15.4 in signed ...

Oil and pencil on board. Signed "Boleslaw Biegas" Note: We do not ship uninsured. We require shipping through 1stDibs, for its cost effectiveness, full insurance coverage, and relia...

Marc Chagall (1887-1985) - Le village bleu Lithograph from 1973. The edition of 24/50 on Japanese paper with full margin. Dimensions of work: 56.4 x 43.4 cm. Hand signed. Publis...

Menashe Kadishman, Sheep head, Symbolist painting, colored painting, Israeli art, Israeli art

Brussels: J. Bouwens, 1867. Etching with aquatint and engraving on laid Japan paper, 9 3/4 x 6 1/2 inches (247 x 163 mm), full margins. Fifth state (of 5). Scattered moderate foxing....

Fantastical portrayal of five white doves surrounded by flowers and clusters of grapes in a dreamy, colorful vineyard garden setting by Mohammad Hourian (Iranian/American, 1955-2014)...

L'image est pleine de significations et de messages cachés ! et seul un collectionneur attentif découvrira son sens secret Je te tisser...

The painting size is 47"x39.25" on canvas. Artist signed lower left . This imaginative acrylic painting presents a whimsical, dreamlike scene blending fantasy with architectural cha...

Marc Chagall (1887-1985) - Cirque Lithograph from 1967. From the book edition of 250 (there was also a signed and numbered edition of 24). Unsigned and unnumbered, as issued. Di...

Marc Chagall (1887-1985) - David saved by Michal Original Lithograph from 1960. Dimensions of work: 35 x 26 cm. Publisher: Tériade, Paris. Reference: Mourlot 250. On the reverse:...

Memento Mori is a modern artwork realized by Franz Biedermann (attr.) in 1902. Large-format drawing depicting a skull lying on an open book, in front of a large crucifix...

Shark of Business is a compact yet expressive bronze sculpture that combines humor, symbolism, and fine craftsmanship. Made of bronze with cold enamel accents, the piece portrays a s...

Provenance: Ina Colliander, relative of the artist; A private collection, Sweden; Bukowskis, Stockholm, Important Winter Sale, 2025, lot 711. Exhibited: Thielska Gallery, Stockholm,...

Emile Barthelemy Fabry (1865-1966) 'Portrait of Miss Vera Bodilly' Pastel on paper 41 x 31.5 cm, 59.7 x 50.1 cm framed 1917 Signed bottom left This intimate portrayal of fellow ar...

Zao Wou-Ki (1921-2013) - À la gloire de l'image et art poétique (To the Glory of the Image and Poetic Art) Lithograph from 1976. Te edition 53/99 on Arches paper. Dimensions of wo...

Le Fleur Du Marécage is a phototype reproduction realized after Odilon Redon. They belong to the suite "Odilon Redon Peintre, Dessinateur et Graveur", published by Henri Felury in ...

Akinesia paper/etching, 14x18 cm, 1989

Cast in bronze with refined cold enamel accents and set on a solid basalt stone base, Magnate is a witty and elegant sculpture that blends satire with classic craftsmanship. The pie...

Bernard LOUEDIN Seascape : As Light as a Feather, 1978 Original Oil on Canvas Handsigned and dated in the lower left corner On canvas 46 x 61 cm (c. 1...

L’agonie is an original colored etching on paper realized by Félicien Rops in 1886, 3rd state of colours proof n°8, from Pellet éditeur, inscribed in p...

Artist/ School: Josnye Gallet (French signed and dated 1972) Title: Surrealist floating figures in a space like atmosphere. Medium: signed verso, oil painting on canvas, unframed....

Marc Chagall (1887-1985) - Eve is Condemned by God Original Lithograph from 1960. Dimensions of work: 35 x 26 cm. Publisher: Tériade, Paris. Reference: Mourlot 236. On the revers...

Francis JOURDAIN Night Dream : the Swanns, 1898 Original lithograph (Champenois workshop) Printed signature in the plate On vellum, 40 x 31 cm (c. 16 x 12 in) INFORMATION: Lithogra...

Le Masque De La Mort Rouge is a phototype reproduction realized after Odilon Redon. They belong to the suite "Odilon Redon Peintre, Dessinateur et Graveur", published by Henri Felu...

Surrealist Blue Wall with Pink Flower and White Bird, Symbolist Oil Painting Artist: Ramon Llovet i Miserol (Barcelona, 1917–1987) Original title: Esboranc en el mur (Breach in the Wall) Year: 1976 Origin: Spain, Catalonia Medium: Oil on canvas Dimensions: 64 × 44 cm (25.20 × 17.32 inches) Signature: Hand-signed lower right Verso: Signed, titled and dated 1976 by the artist Condition: Vintage condition, with surface details visible in the photographs Framing: Unframed Style: Surrealism, Symbolism, Poetic Surrealism, Modern Art Period: 1970s DESCRIPTION An enchanting and highly poetic surrealist oil painting by Ramon Llovet i Miserol (1917–1987), a distinctive figure in 20th-century Catalan modern art, celebrated for his deeply personal exploration of symbolism, spirituality and the human condition. Painted in 1976 and titled "Esboranc en el mur" (Breach in the Wall), this remarkable composition belongs to the artist's mature period, when his earlier expressionist language had evolved into a luminous, dreamlike world of symbolic imagery and metaphysical contemplation. The painting depicts a mysterious opening in a heavily textured wall, revealing an intense ultramarine blue space. Within this enigmatic passage, a delicate pink flower emerges alongside an intricate white floral form, while a solitary white bird stands in the foreground. The contrast between the rough, almost sculptural surface of the wall and the extraordinary depth of the blue background creates a compelling sense of mystery, silence and transcendence. The flower suggests renewal and the fragile beauty of life, while the white bird evokes peace, innocence and freedom. The opening in the wall can be interpreted as a symbolic passage between the material world and an inner, spiritual dimension. The composition is particularly striking for its refined chromatic harmony: vibrant cobalt and ultramarine blues, icy whites, subtle lavender and pink tones, and a restrained touch of green. Llovet's sophisticated use of texture and carefully controlled brushwork gives the painting a remarkable tactile quality, reinforcing the contrast between physical matter and poetic imagination. Created during the height of the artist's spiritual and philosophical maturity, this work reflects his fascination with pacifism, Eastern thought and the search for universal harmony. An evocative example of Spanish and Catalan poetic surrealism, combining the visual fascination of modernist painting with an intimate, contemplative atmosphere. The painting is signed on the front and additionally signed, titled and dated 1976 on the reverse, providing valuable documentary information about the original work. ARTIST BIOGRAPHY Ramon Llovet i Miserol (Barcelona, 1917–1987) was a Spanish-Catalan painter, engraver and sculptor whose artistic career followed a remarkable evolution from social realism and expressive figuration toward a highly individual language of poetic symbolism and spiritual surrealism. Born in the working-class Poble-sec district of Barcelona, Llovet developed an early passion for drawing and painting. Largely self-taught, he attended classes at the prestigious Escola de la Llotja and the Ateneu Obrer, while the work of Antoni Clavé became an important early reference. His experiences during the Spanish Civil War profoundly influenced his worldview, encouraging a lifelong commitment to humanism and pacifism. He held his first exhibition in Barcelona in 1939 and subsequently participated in the influential Salons d'Octubre, important gatherings of modern Catalan artists during the postwar period. During the 1950s, his painting developed an expressive and socially conscious character, inspired in part by the Spanish painter José Gutiérrez Solana. His scenes of humble neighborhoods, solitary figures and urban landscapes attracted critical attention. Llovet became associated with Barcelona's prestigious Sala Gaspar, one of the most important galleries promoting modern and contemporary art in Spain, where his work was exhibited over several decades. From the 1960s onward, his artistic direction underwent a profound transformation. Influenced by the philosopher Jiddu Krishnamurti, the pacifist thinker Lanza del Vasto, theosophy and Eastern spirituality, he progressively abandoned the darker atmosphere of his earlier paintings. His mature work embraced luminous colors, symbolic flowers, birds, mysterious spaces and metaphysical compositions, developing an unmistakably personal visual language centered on peace, transcendence and spiritual freedom. His artistic importance has received renewed institutional recognition. In 2026, the Biblioteca de Catalunya in Barcelona presented the retrospective exhibition "Ramon Llovet, entre la realitat i el lirisme" (Ramon Llovet, Between Reality and Lyricism), examining the evolution of his career and the distinctive symbolic language of his mature period. His work is represented in the collection of the Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya (MNAC), Barcelona, and the Museu d'Art de Girona, while the Biblioteca de Catalunya preserves an important collection of his graphic work. Today, Ramon Llovet is appreciated as an individual voice within 20th-century Spanish modernism, whose paintings combine expressive sensitivity, philosophical depth and poetic imagination. ARTISTIC INSPIRATION The dreamlike imagery, symbolic composition and metaphysical atmosphere of this painting establish fascinating artistic connections with several internationally renowned masters of modern art. Joan Miró: The poetic use of simplified forms, delicate organic motifs and symbolic elements suspended within mysterious pictorial spaces. René Magritte: The enigmatic relationship between ordinary objects and impossible or ambiguous spaces, transforming familiar subjects into visual metaphors. Marc Chagall: The lyrical treatment of flowers, birds and dreamlike imagery, evoking emotional and spiritual dimensions beyond conventional reality. Salvador Dalí: The surrealist fascination with hidden meanings, psychological landscapes and the boundaries between the visible and invisible worlds. Odilon Redon: The symbolic representation of flowers and imaginary environments, where nature becomes an expression of inner spirituality and contemplation. Paul Klee: The delicate visual poetry, symbolic abstraction and intimate relationship between color, form and philosophical imagination. These artistic affinities position Llovet's work within a broader European tradition of Symbolism, Surrealism and poetic modernism, while preserving the unmistakable individuality of his Catalan artistic identity. Ramon Llovet, Ramon Llovet Miserol, Spanish surrealist painting, Catalan surrealism, 1970s surrealist art, vintage surrealist oil painting, symbolic flower painting, pink flower painting, white bird painting...

Judith I, paper/etching, 13.5x9.5 cm, 1987

Symbolist school, follower of Eugene Carriere, "The Mother's Kiss," unsigned oil on canvas, early 20th century. Fascinating and magnetic painting, extremely decorative. The first t...

Ten original lithographs, printed by Mourlot Paris in the 1970's. Issued 150 copies numbered and signed. 102/150. Creation was inspired by the Kabalistic conception of the Hebrew Al...

Signed "Carlos Schwabe" Note: Due to the size, weight, and/or value of this piece, we require shipping through 1stDibs, for its cost effectiveness, full insurance coverage, and reli...

Stella Jae Royalties 2023 Oil on Canvas Size: 23.62 x 34.49 inches (60 x 80cm) Signed by hand COA provided Ref.: 924802-2114 ---------- Tags: #StellaJRich...

ROGELIO DE EGUSQUIZA Spanish, 1845 - 1915 A REVERIE DURING THE BALL signed and dated "Rog. Egusquiza 1879" (lower right) oil on canvas 21-3/4 x 33-5/...

Surreal abstract figurative of a dreamy, meditative scene including multiple figures and flowers, blended with sill-life and landscape elements by Noel Howard (American, 20th Century...

Marc Chagall (1887-1985) - Fables Etching from 1952. Sold Framed. Size in frame: 49.5 x 44 cm Reference: Cramer 22. Dimensions of work: 34.5 x 28.5 cm. Publisher: Tériade, Paris...

Woodcut print on paper. Signed in the plate, not numbered as issued. A powerful and unusually austere memento mori ex libris designed for Gino Sabattini, dominated by the image of ...

“I still look at and learn from the art of the past, and enjoy making interpretations of works which I admire.” Henry Moore Infanta, Floating Balance, Point in Time, and Visionary are monoprints with Chine collé from Suzanne Benton's Paintings in Proust series. This grouping also includes the dry-point etching with Chine collé. Infanta (edition of 10). The monoprints (unique prints) employ the collage technique, chine collé (glued paper). Collé papers are pre-inked and hand-painted. Dimensional printing plates emboss texture onto the prints. The plates are inked individually for each solo print. The images and collé papers are then laid onto the plate and adhere to the printmaking paper as the plate and paper run through the etching press. Other monoprint series have been devoted to Indian and Turkish miniature painting...

John Gilbey Bowles (British, 1929–2011) Jesus and the Disciples in the Wilderness Signed ‘J BOWLES’ (lower right) Oil on board 22 ¾ x 27 ⅝ in. (57.8 x 70 cm) Jesus and the Disciples ...

Menashe Kadishman, Sheep head, Symbolist painting, colored painting, Israeli art, Israeli art

Brahms-Phantasie is a wonderful in-folio volume: the Brahm's Phantasies musical score is incredibly illustrated with 37 numbered plates for a total of 41 original engravings (burin, ...

Edouard Casimir Arthur Flament (1871-1943) 'Portrait of a Man' ‍‍ Charcoal on paper laid on board 55 x 46cm Signed and dated lower right, October 26, 1902

"Sacred Clothing" is a series of wooden wall sculptures inspired by the traditional forms of Japanese, Chinese and Korean kimonos, combined with medieval ornaments and calligraphy, a...

Etching and aquatint realized in 1880, belonging to the Series "Amor und Psyche", Opus V. Ref. Singer 67, IV. Excellent condition.

Second Edition of 6 copies plus 3 Artist’s Proofs, realized in 1990 after the famous homonymous sculpture realized by Wildt in 1918/19. Authorized by Wildt's heirs, from the original...

Les Pavots Noirs is a prototype reproduction realized after Odilon Redon. They belong to the suite "Odilon Redon Peintre, Dessinateur et Graveur", published by Henri Felury in 1923....

Chez les Passants is an original Rare Book written by Philippe-Auguste, comte de Villiers de l'Isle-Adam (7 November 1838 – 19 August 1889) and illustrated by Félicien Rops (Namur, 7 luglio 1833 – Essonnes, 23 agosto 1898) in 1890. Original First Edition. Published by Comptoir d’édition, Paris. Format: in 12°. The dimensions and the weight are indicative. The book includes 320 pages with full page frontispiece etching. Good conditions. Félicien Victor Joseph Rops (7 July 1833 – 23 August 1898) was a Belgian artist associated with Symbolism and the Parisian Fin-de Siecle. He was a painter, illustrator, caricaturist and a prolific and innovative print maker, particularly in intaglio (etching and aquatint). Although not well known to the general public, Rops was greatly respected by his peers and actively pursued and celebrated as an illustrator by the publishers, authors, and poets of his time and provided frontispieces and illustrations for Jules Barbey d'Aurevilly, Charles Baudelaire, Charles De Coster...

Drypoint and aquatint (brown ink) on cream paper. Signed "Rehn" in pencil on the lower right margin. Titled and numbered in pencil on the lower left margin. Edition of 25 prints. Fr...

The painting was painted as a reflection after the depopulation of the city of Izyum, Kharkiv region.

Etching and aquatint on cream paper. Signed in pencil on the lower right margin. Titled and numbered in pencil on the lower left margin. Edition of 25 prints. Plate in excellent co...

Profil De Lumière is a lithograph realized after Odilon Redon. It belongs to the suite "Odilon Redon Peintre, Dessinateur et Graveur", published by Henri Felury in 1923. Good cond...