Gustave Moreau Research

Influences

Gustave Moreau (1826-1898) was born in Paris. After he left school, his parents educated him at home, where they had a large library of books that Moreau read eagerly, including works on mythology. Moreau also studied Roman architecture, the Middle Ages, the Renaissance, the artistic themes of the Middle East and Far East, Shakespeare, and the Bible.

1844, Moreau began to study art with the neoclassical painter and art instructor Francois-Edouard Picot, who gave his student a solid technical foundation for his work.

In the early 1850s, Moreau met the Romantic painters Eugene Delacroix and Theodore Chasseriau, who greatly influenced his style of painting. From them, Moreau learned to love exotic romanticism, dramatic lighting, and bright colors.

1856- Moreau travelled to Italy where their art deeply affected his work. The trip also exposed him to the influence of Byzantine enamels...


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La Pala D'oro at St Mark's Venice : The Culture Concept Circle

early mosaics,


Masada Byzantine Church floor mosaic

 and Persian and Indian miniatures,

 
Unknown Title and Artist - 1556-65

A Persian miniature is a small painting on paper, whether a book illustration or a separate work of art intended to be kept in an  album of such works called a Murugga.  Miniature painting became a significant Persian genre in the 13th century, receiving Chinese influence after the Mongol conquests and the highest point in the tradition was reached in the 15th and 16th centuries.  Jewel effect painting technique by using vivid colours of mineral pignents layered onto one another along with metallics such as silver.


After returning to Paris from Italy in 1859, Moreau painted for a number of years without exhibiting his work, but during this time he developed his unique style. The colors he used reflected the Romantic style, but his figures were static. He spent many hours studying Persian, Indian, and Japanese prints and from them took motifs, which he used to create his own vision of myths and religions.

Dead Poet Borne by a Centaur, circa 1890, watercolour

Jupiter and Semele 1894-95



Europa and the Bull - 1869

Moreau's symbolist paintings are in both oil paints and watercolours on canvas and paper.  The way he seemingly builds layers using paints is fascinating to me. This encrustation of pigment along with jewel like tones gives a magical and embellished feel to his works. This relates to my work and I want to try and capture this textured feel within my drawings, which I hope will then translate through to my embellished pieces. I've also been influenced by the  metallic colour filled Persian miniatures that Moreau took inspiration from.