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Decadence and Dark Dreams - Belgian Symbolism at the Alte Nationalgalerie in Berlin

The large-scale special exhibition ‘Decadence and Dark Dreams’, with over 180 works in the Alte Nationalgalerie in Berlin, is dedicated to Belgian Symbolism, that emerged in the 1880s with Brussels as a major centre.

Belgian Symbolism

Belgian Symbolism is characterised by a special predilection for morbid and decadent themes. Death and dissipation were recurring motifs even around the middle of the century, and can be traced back to sculptors such as George Minne and that master of the absurd, James Ensor. Inspired by contemporary literature, the artists around 1900 were linked by a new mysticism with an extravagant and sumptuous style. In this context the femme fatale became a central figure as an expression of over-abundance and lust. Symbolism, however, did not just influence portraiture and figure painting, but was also reflected in landscape painting and eerie interior scenes.

Leon Frédéric, Allegory of Night
CC0, image artinflanders.be, photo Hugo Maertens
George Minne, The Fountain of kneeling youths
CC0, image artinflanders.be, photo Hugo Maertens
James Ensor, The skeleton painter
CC0, image artinflanders.be, photo Hugo Maertens
Theo Van Rysselberghe, Portrait of Marguerite Van Mons
CC0, image artinflanders.be, photo Hugo Maertens
George Minne, Treurende moeder
CC0, image artinflanders.be, photo Hugo Maertens
Fernand Khnopff, Secret-Reflet
CC0, image artinflanders.be, photo Hugo Maertens

Exhibition in the Alte Nationalgalerie

The extensive special exhibition with over 180 works on loan from international collections introduces the entire spectrum of Belgian artistic positions previously little-known in Germany – like Fernand Khnopff, Léon Spilliaert, Félicien Rops, James Ensor and Jean Delville – as an important reference for Symbolism. Works by artists such as Max Klinger, Ed- ward Burne-Jones, Arnold Böcklin, Edvard Munch, Gustave Moreau and Gustav Klimt allow placement within the broader European context. The Groeningemuseum in Bruges, the Museum of Fine Arts in Ghent, the Royal Museum of Fine Arts in Antwerp and Mu.ZEE in Ostend, amongst others, have lent their objects for the exhibition. The exhibition is supported by the Royal Museums of Art in Belgium, and made possible by the Freunde der Nationalgalerie.

More information on smb.museum

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