Symbolism and Impressionism in Late Nineteenth Century France

Abstract

I have long been interested in Impressionism as simply an artistic movement. In the past several years, however, I have come to realize the inter-relationship of all the arts and of society and the arts. For this reason, I have chosen to take a broad overview of· two contemporary and complementary movements, Symbolism and Impressionism, and the society which produced them. For the purposes or this paper, I did not feel it necessary to critique specific works of art or literature, but rather to place each movement as a whole in proper perspective. The forerunners of each are dealt with at some length, since it is they who gave the movements direction and inspiration.