Symbolism (movement)

High school (ages 12+)
Art & Creativity

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/symbolism-movement

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. What is the artistic and literary movement?Symbolism (circa 1880s – early 20th century)
2. What is Symbolism in art?Symbolism is an art movement from the late 1800s where painters used hidden meanings instead of showing things exactly. They wanted to show dreams, feelings, and spiritual truths with symbols.
3. Why did Symbolist artists reject realism?They thought realism and other styles only showed the outside world and missed deeper feelings and the subconscious. They wanted art to explore spirituality, emotion, and imagination.

Symbolism: An artistic and literary movement that sought to express abstract ideas and emotions through symbolic representation, often drawing from dreams and mythology.
Naturalism: A literary and artistic movement that aimed to portray life and nature objectively and truthfully, without artificiality.
Impressionism: An art movement focused on capturing the fleeting visual impression of a moment, especially the effects of light and color.