Mystical Symbolism

The Salon de la Rose+Croix in Paris, 1892-1897

Until January 7, 2018
Peggy Guggenheim Collection | Venice, Italy

Mystical Symbolism: The Salon de la Rose+Croix in Paris, 1892–1897 is the first museum exhibition on this seminal and revelatory—yet frequently overlooked—series of Salons held annually in Paris from 1892 to 1897.

In the spring of 1892 Joséphin Péladan, author, critic, and Rosicrucian, organized the first Salon de la Rose+Croix at the Galerie Durand-Ruel in Paris. Showcasing mystical Symbolist art—particularly of the hermetic and spiritual variety—the series was an artistic crossroads, gathering the work of artists from Belgium, Finland, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain and Switzerland.

Following extensive research to identify artworks shown in the original exhibitions, Mystical Symbolism encompasses painting, works on paper, and sculpture by artists such as Antoine Bourdelle, Rogelio de Egusquiza, Jean Delville, Charles Filiger, Fernand Khnopff, Charles Maurin, Alphonse Osbert, Armand Point, Georges Rouault, Carlos Schwabe, Alexandre Séon, Jan Toorop, Ville Vallgren, and Félix Vallotton.