【Book Description】
Featuring 300 carefully selected paintings and engravings, this book explores the mysterious artistic world of nineteenth-century Dark Romanticism, Symbolism, and the Pre-Raphaelites. From the moon, witchcraft, and fairies to ghosts, angels, and demons, it reveals how artists used supernatural imagery to express humanity’s fascination with the unknown, spirituality, death, and fantasy.
Author Alix Paré, known for her acclaimed work on Gustave Doré, continues her in-depth exploration of nineteenth-century art by bringing together works by both celebrated and lesser-known artists. The book invites readers to enter the fascinating space between reality and imagination. These works are not only rich in dramatic, dark, and ornate visual qualities, but also reflect the period’s deep interest in mysticism, religious belief, the spirit world, and the sublime.
The book is divided into seven thematic chapters: Luna (Moon), Carmina (Charms), Maleficia (Witchcraft), Genii (Fairies), Phantasmata (Ghosts), Angeli (Angels), and Daemones (Demons). Each chapter combines a wealth of artworks with insightful commentary, examining symbolic imagery, mythological sources, and esoteric traditions to show how nineteenth-century artists transformed the unseen world into compelling visual forms. A glossary of 40 terms is also included to help readers better understand the spiritual and occult concepts behind the works.
Beyond its rich artistic content, the book is also designed as a highly collectible object. The cover and spine feature gold embossing, complemented by a decorative belly band and sprayed edges inscribed with the title, creating a presentation that perfectly echoes the dark, ornate, and mysterious aesthetics of nineteenth-century art.
For readers interested in Symbolism, the Pre-Raphaelites, dark art, and nineteenth-century visual culture, this volume is not only a richly illustrated art book but also an immersive journey through dreams, spirituality, and the supernatural.
【Details】
Authors: Alix Paré, Philippe Baudouin
Publisher: Prestel
Publication Year: 2025
Dimensions: 26 × 20 cm
Binding: Hardcover
Pages: 480