- Date of birth: 6 April 1826
- Date of death: 18 APR 1898
- Country: France
Biography:
People with a classical artistic education and vast knowledge in the field of art, Gustave Moreau became one of the leaders of the symbolists — currents gained strength in the second half of the XIX century. Symbolists often combined with decadent, however, the creation of Moro difficult to attribute to any particular branch. His paintings use historical motifs, classic color combinations and avant-garde techniques of the image.
Birth Gustave Moreau was in Paris, where he was born in 1826 in the family, the former is sufficiently similar to the arts — his father was an architect. The future artist studied at the Paris “School of fine arts”, and in 1849 began exhibiting at the Salon. He was interested in specimens of historical painting and the old masters, so he made several trips to Italy, where he studied preserved the works of the best masters of the Renaissance.
His work heavily influenced motifs that were often used in paintings by famous artists of the past — historical, biblical, legendary, fabulous, epic. Master drew out ideas for future paintings with a pronounced mystic principle characteristic of symbolism. However, in contrast to the classical motifs of the paintings, the style of images he was quite advanced, in the spirit of the time with special effects and artistic style.
Creativity Moreau was recognized and appreciated by his contemporaries. In 1868 he became Chairman of the art competition, and in 1875 his achievements in art were marked by the Legion of honor, the highest award of merit of the French Republic.
The artist was fascinated by classical art of Ancient Greece, was very fond of Oriental luxury, ornate utensils and dishes, rare weapons, fabrics and carpets. In his paintings on the mystical, the biblical and historical motifs he often used these objects of rare beauty, admiring their perfection and beautiful colors. Painting master is recognizable and quite specific, it uses lots of bright colors, yet somehow they manage not to become a motley throng of colors, and produce an impression of unity and unity of image and its embodiment. Paintings are very expressive and striking a mastery of color. Even well-known motifs from the Bible interpreted to them in their own, very individual and unconventional.
In 1888 Gustave Moreau became a member of the Academy of arts of France, and in 1891 began teaching as a Professor in the “Beaux-arts” of Paris. Among those whom he taught, there are such famous masters as Henri Matisse, Odilon Redon, Georges Rouault and Gustave Pierre. It is believed that the paintings Moreau had a very strong influence on the formation of Fauvism and surrealism.
Five years after the death of Gustave Moreau in 1898 in his Paris workshop was organized by the Museum. His works are in many museums in France, including the Louvre.