Gustave Moreau (April 6, 1826 – April 18, 1898)

Bookmark and Share
                                                                                                            
Saint George
1890

Moreau was one of the most influential and highly regarded Symbolists during his lifetime. And he's never quite fallen out of the public's appreciation. It's difficult to define his works under the aegis of a couple of characteristics, but I will say that my favorite paintings of his are full of those florid details that often characterize Symbolist works, such as in Galatea, which, by the way, is based off of one of my favorite myths of the love of Polyphemus (the Cyclops from the Odyssey) for the water nymph Galatea; you can read Theocritus' excellent poem on it here (can't vouch for the translation). And I would be remiss if I didn't add that Moreau at one point taught Matisse

Goddess on the Rocks
c.1890

Phaethon
1878

Galatea
c. 1896

Thracian Girl Carrying the Head of Orpheus on His Lyre
1865

Evening Voices
c. 1885