L’Apparition-Gustav Moreau 1874-1876In this gorgeous opiated phantasmagoria of a painting Gustav Moreau places the ultimate femme fatale Salome in the Byzantine opulence of Herod’s palace, the seven veils in the process of being parted, before the hallucinated head of John the Baptist. The painting was mentioned in the breviary of Decadence J.K Huysmans A Rebours and Oscar Wilde caused a sensation with the staging of his opalescent and fantastic rendition of the biblical tale, Salome in Paris (the play was originally written in French). The painting and Moreau’s work in general was a favourite of the Surrealists as his brand of avant-garde Symbolism was a clear antecedent for the part that the unconscious plays in the creative process.
One of my all time favorite paintings. I actually got to see this in person, I think, at the Musee Moreau in Paris. That was such an amazing place if you haven’t been. How are you?
Found it. Yes, this is one of my favorites. I was certain I’d seen this in person but based on the commenter, it can’t have been at the Musee Moreau. Now I wonder if I imagined it? Some of his work is on display at the Met… But my imagination and my memories might very well be bleeding together.
The symbolist and the surrealist movement were both literary and visual which I particularly like, just in case you were in any confusion that I liked them.
![moreau_apparition[1]](https://cakeordeathsite.files.wordpress.com/2016/03/moreau_apparition1.jpg?w=656)
cakeordeathsite 
Ooh, I love the decadence — and the use of white outlines.
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He painted a whole series of Salomes but this is the most hallucinogenic…i agree about the white outlines makes the whole scene ghostly and fantastic
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One of my all time favorite paintings. I actually got to see this in person, I think, at the Musee Moreau in Paris. That was such an amazing place if you haven’t been. How are you?
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Tired…the kids are off school and work is hectic
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Ahh… well hope you get enough sleep.
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Found it. Yes, this is one of my favorites. I was certain I’d seen this in person but based on the commenter, it can’t have been at the Musee Moreau. Now I wonder if I imagined it? Some of his work is on display at the Met… But my imagination and my memories might very well be bleeding together.
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He did several versions one is the Loutve and another in the Musee d’orsay… I am sure one of the versions have travelled
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I’ve been to both. That must be it. Thank you for reassuring my sanity!
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Just ask me I know a lot to reassure you of your sanity
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You might have your work cut out for you!
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“Like” again.
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Thank you
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Extremely interesting. I love learning about how certain art is connected with literature (i.e. Wilde’s play in this post). Lovely.
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The symbolist and the surrealist movement were both literary and visual which I particularly like, just in case you were in any confusion that I liked them.
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Nope. No confusion here. Just admiration for quality posts 🙂
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Thank you it is good to have you back I really missed you. Please take a look at some of the poems and see what you think, thank you.
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Of course I will. 🙂
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And also the story I just posted, I think you will like it
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Excellent. I’ll check it all out this afternoon 🙂
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Thank you I look forward to hearing your opinion
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