Gaston Bussière French Symbolist Painter and Illustrator 1862 -1928

Gaston Bussière French Symbolist Painter and Illustrator 1862 -1928
Artwork Reviewed by Teresita Blanco


Gaston Bussière painted in symbolism art style. He also did a lot of art nouveau illustrations for famous personages like Balzac and Oscar Wilde. He worked closely with Gustave Moreau, who also showed interest in the opera. He showcased may of his paintings is the Salon de la Rose.

The first painting shows nymphs in their grotto. This painting alludes to Wagner's Rhyme's Gold. Nymphs themselves symbolize temptation. Men may seek them out. However, usually romances with nymphs have an unhappy ending for men. Here, they beckoned the viewers to join them underwater. These nymphs also symbolize purity and innocence. When coupled with the ocean, they represent the beauty and mystery of the ocean. Mankind has yet to discover what lies in the deepest reaches of the ocean. In any case, this famous painting by Gaston Bussière deserves 5 stars rating.

This next symbolism painting shows Cupid and Psyche. Like a little butterfly, love clings to the Soul. True love, loves not the body, but the soul of a person. The blue flowers on Pysche's head symbolize her loyalty and faithfulness. It also stands for an uplifting spirit. As for the butterfly wings, they represent the transformation powers of love. Via love, a person's personality may undergo a complete metamorphosis. It too stands for the soul. The pink roses represent beauty and elegance. The yellow one Pysche snatched, stands for joy and happiness. Only she can make Cupid really happy. This symbolist artwork by Bussière deserves 5 stars rating.

Above, we see an illustration for Oscar Wilder's Salome play. It shows Salome removing the second to last veils. Tradition had it that women only removed the last veil when men promised to fulfill her request. This story subject matter became really popular during the 1800s. It got featured often in plays and paintings. For painters, Salome had the dangerous combination of beauty and deadliness. Visually speaking, she served as a good excuse to paint something hot, while hiding behind the Bible. She also stood for the glamor, opulence and corruption of King Herod's Reign. This symbolism painting by Bussière deserves 5 stars rating.

This painting shows a lot of exotic dancers. They sport beautiful ornamented dresses. This painting mostly serves to indulge the senses. They have the same look as the nymphs within the grotto. I like best the blue lotus flower of the main courtesan. This beautiful art nouveau painting by Bussière deserves 5 stars rating.

The iris symbolize faith, hope, and eloquence. Both look cute with their iris colored eye. They have quite the mystified look. These cuties symbolize innocent love. In any case, this art nouveau painting deserves 5 stars rating.

In this painting, Isolde has just prepared the love potion for Tristan. In their play, their affair got excused by the supernatural powers of the love potion. Like any regular art nouveau illustration, Isolde has a lot of ornamentation. She epitomizes the royal fashion of her day. This beautiful painting by Gaston Bussière deserves 5 stars rating.

The next painting shows Joan of Arc communing with the angels. Joan looks very beautiful, in the forest. Joan of Arc too became a popular theme of the time. This famous painting by this illustrious french symbolist deserves 5 stars rating.

This maiden symbolizes youth. She has a slim teen body. Around her grow violets and laurels. These flowers attract the blue butterflies. Soon, this youthful maiden will undergo the metamorphosis into adulthood. This beautiful symbolist illustration deserves 5 stars rating.

This painting shows a manifestation of death. A chosen warrior from the dead has risen to fight the army. You can see his awesome goddess providing him with powers. The soldiers have stopped dead in their tracks. This Bussière symbolist painting deserves 5 stars rating.

This painting shows a scene from the Sigmund play. A Valkyrie has appeared before Sigmund, while Brunhilde. In any case, this play art nouveau illustration deserves 5 stars rating. 

This next painting shows an exotic dancer from Asian. Her crown of flowers attract butterflies. The scenery looks identical to the Salome painting. Anyhow, this adorable painting deserves 5 stars rating.

This next painting shows a happy nymph. She has white flowers on her hair. Like the maiden, the flowers symbolize innocence. This cutie gets 5 stars  rating.

The last painting shows two children surrounded by flowers. Like the nymph, they stand for spring, your, etc. Both do look beautiful together. This pretty pair deserves 5 stars rating. I hope that you liked this short symbolism painting review.