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American Focus > Blog > Culture and Arts > See How Modern Artists Obsessed With Death and Darkness Looked to Medieval Gothic Artworks for Inspiration
Culture and Arts

See How Modern Artists Obsessed With Death and Darkness Looked to Medieval Gothic Artworks for Inspiration

Last updated: November 14, 2024 5:26 pm
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See How Modern Artists Obsessed With Death and Darkness Looked to Medieval Gothic Artworks for Inspiration
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Garden

The Garden of Death, Hugo Simberg, 1896
Jenni Nurminen / Finnish National Gallery / Ateneum Art Museum

During the late 19th century, a dark and gothic trend emerged among artists. Paintings such as Vincent van Gogh’s Head of a Skeleton With a Burning Cigarette (1886), Edvard Munch’s By the Deathbed (1893), and Hugo Simberg’s The Garden of Death (1896) reflected a fascination with mortality and existential questions.

However, these artists did not draw inspiration solely from their contemporary troubles. A new exhibition in Helsinki, Finland, titled “Gothic Modern: From Darkness to Light” explores how these painters looked back to medieval art for ideas and themes.

The Ateneum Art Museum juxtaposes medieval and Renaissance artworks with those of modern masters, showcasing the Gothic themes that connect them. According to a statement from the museum, all the pieces on display delve into life’s profound questions in a raw and darkly humorous manner.

quay

Dance on the Quay, Hugo Simberg, 1899

Aleks Talve / Finnish National Gallery / Ateneum Art Museum

While art history often spotlights the evolution of styles in Paris, where movements like Impressionism and Cubism thrived, many Northern European artists of the late 19th and early 20th centuries found cultural inspiration in Berlin. This city attracted artists seeking a more spiritual and somber interpretation of life, often drawing from medieval themes.

According to co-curator Anna-Maria von Bonsdorff, the Gothic worldview of the medieval era brought about a focus on spiritual yearning, pain, and the mysteries of existence. This fascination with mortality and the spiritual realm heavily influenced renowned artists like van Gogh and Munch.

Van Gogh’s Head of a Skeleton, for instance, showcases a casual and almost humorous approach to death with a skeleton holding a cigarette. While some view it as a lighthearted anatomy exercise, others interpret it as a modern take on the medieval concept of the “dance of death.”

Deathbed

By the Deathbed, Edvard Munch, 1896

Aleks Talve / Finnish National Gallery / Ateneum Art Museum, Sihtola collection

Similarly, Edvard Munch’s work, influenced by German medieval art, and Marianne Stokes’ exploration of Gothic themes reflect the artists’ response to the industrialization, social upheaval, and impending conflicts of their time. The exhibition’s relevance extends to modern crises, making it a poignant reflection on the enduring themes of mortality and spirituality.

Gothic modern

An installation view of “Gothic Modern: From Darkness to Light,” currently on display at the Ateneum Art Museum

Hannu Pakarinen / Finnish National Gallery

In a world where traditional beliefs and utopias are questioned, the exhibition resonates with a contemporary audience. It serves as a reminder of life’s brevity and the importance of embracing the present moment, even amidst uncertainty and darkness.

“Gothic Modern: From Darkness to Light” will be showcased at the Ateneum Art Museum in Helsinki until January 26, 2025.

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Filed Under:

Art,

Art History,

Artists,

Arts,

Death,

Exhibitions,

Exhibits,

Finland,

Gothic,

Medieval Ages,

Modern Art,

Painters,

Painting,

Sculpture,

Vincent Van Gogh,

Visual Arts

See also  Bobby Flay Honors Anne Burrell After Her Sudden Death at 55
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