Gustave Moreau was very imaginative and fantastical in themes. He was a known symbolist painter from France. Moreau found his style with pieces that depicted mythical and religious themes with a heavy jewel like embroidered decorations. He set himself apart from the main movements of the era, realism and naturalism.
“Oedipus and the Sphinx” (1864) was the beginning of Moreau’s mature period. The piece gives a new interpretation to the scene of Oedipus on his journey to Thebes. He also emulates the early renaissance style in this piece.
“Orpheus” (1865) was a piece that gave Moreau much popularity. The piece itself gives no directness, instead it replies to your viewership with ambiguity and implied symbolism. It was also another piece where Moreau went back to Greek mythology for inspiration.
After two unpopular pieces, Moreau went to reassess his art and came out with “The Apparition” (1876). The piece gives no identified part of a story, as well as breaking away from the central figures of his past paintings.
Two pieces that I appreciate are the ornately decorated “Dream of the Orient of the Peri” (1826-98), and “The Fiancee of the Night” (1892). These pieces show his mastery of decoration through animals as well as on a dark backdrop.
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