The Art Institute of Chicago has opened an exhibition titled 'Strange Realities: The Symbolist Imagination,' drawn entirely from its own collection. The show features works by Vincent van Gogh, Edvard Munch, Odilon Redon, and lesser-known artists like Gustaf Fjaestad, aiming to present Symbolism through its visual output rather than its often vague literary manifestos. The exhibition sidesteps strict definitions of the movement, instead offering a broad range of works from the late 1880s to early 1900s that evoke mystery, doubt, and inner realities.
This exhibition matters because it challenges the art-historical tendency to overlook Symbolism as a middle child between Impressionism and modern movements like Fauvism and Cubism. By foregrounding the artworks themselves and including artists from outside France—such as Sweden—the show expands the geographic and stylistic boundaries of Symbolism. It also invites viewers to reconsider the movement's relevance and visual power, offering a fresh perspective on a period often dismissed as obscure or overly literary.