Huysmans: From Impressionism to Symbolism in Art Criticism

Éditions Bartillat has released a new compilation of J.-K. Huysmans' writings on art spanning from 1867 to 1905, which outlines his transition from supporting Impressionism to embracing Symbolism and religious themes. He expressed disdain for the École des Beaux-Arts, criticizing its mediocrity and aligning himself with figures like Zola and Independents such as Monet and Cézanne. Following 1885, he gravitated towards Symbolist artists like Moreau, Redon, and Rops, promoting art that unveils deeper mysteries. This blending of artistic movements significantly impacted Surrealists and plays a crucial role in his novel À Rebours. Huysmans differentiated between superficial critics and committed writers, denouncing the merger of art with entertainment. After his conversion to Catholicism in 1895, he concentrated on Italian and Flemish primitives, indicating a shift towards asceticism.