Symbolist oil painting emphasized fantasy and imagination in their depiction of objects. The artists of the movement often used metaphors and symbols to suggest a subject and favored mystical and occult themes. Influenced by Romanticism and the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood, the movement strived to depict the symbols of ideas. The movement originated in France and spread across Europe. Symbolists were opposed to the visual realism of the Impressionists and serious nature of the Industrial Age. Their aim was to portray mysterious and ambiguous interpretations of emotions and ideas by using unobvious symbols. Some artists, including Puvis de Chavannes, Moreau, and Redon, borrowed their imagery from Symbolist writings. These works would often contain grotesque and fantastical imagery such as severed heads, monsters, and spirits. In addition, their works sometimes contained references to the Bible and ancient myths. Other Symbolists took a more traditional approach, using lines and colors to produce emotional effects. The Symbolist movement was important to the development of the Surrealism.

Maurice Denis (1870 - 1943)
Maurice Denis began his artistic career as a member of Symbolist and Les Nabis movements. In 1890, he published an article in support of his group titled Definition of Neo-Traditionalism, which contained some of the principles of modern art. Denis work was influenced by Gauguin, but differed in its religious subject matter. His most famous oil paintings was Homage to Cezanne that depicted Denis and some of Cezanne other followers including Redon, Serusier, Vuillard, and Bonnard. After visiting Italy around the turn of the century, Denis work became more traditional and lost most of its early appeal.

Fernand Khnopff (1858 - 1921)
Fernand Khnopff was the son of a wealthy magistrate who dropped out of law school to attend the Academie Royale des Beaux-Arts in Brussels in 1876. Three years later he moved to Paris and trained under French Realist painters. His first public exhibition was in Brussels in 1881. Khnopff developed a unique style of painting that became popular in portraiture in Brussels between 1884 and 1890. His approach was slightly Impressionistic, initially influenced by fellow Les XX member, James Ensor. The two colleagues eventually became rivals as they shifted their work in different directions. Khnopff international reputation came into fruition around 1900. About this time he began constructing his private villa and designing costumes and theater sets. He was supportive of Socialist causes like many of the other Symbolists. In addition to these achievements, Khnopff was also an illustrator, sculptor, designer, photographer, and writer.