Editing Symbolism (movement) (section)

==Precursors and origins==
Symbolism was largely a reaction against naturalism and realism, anti-idealistic styles which were attempts to represent reality in its gritty particularity, and to elevate the humble and the ordinary over the ideal. Symbolism was a reaction in favour of [[spirituality]], [[imagination]], and dreams.<ref>Balakian, Anna, ''The Symbolist Movement: a critical appraisal''. Random House, 1967, ch. 2.</ref> Some writers, such as [[Joris-Karl Huysmans]], began as naturalists before becoming symbolists; for Huysmans, this change represented his increasing interest in religion and spirituality.  Certain of the characteristic subjects of the [[Decadent movement|Decadents]] represent naturalist interest in sexuality and taboo topics, but in their case this was mixed with [[Byron]]ic [[romanticism]] and the world-weariness characteristic of the ''[[fin de siècle]]'' period.

The Symbolist poets have a more complex relationship with [[Parnassianism]], a French literary style that immediately preceded it.  While being influenced by [[hermeticism]], allowing [[free verse|freer versification]], and rejecting Parnassian clarity and objectivity, it retained Parnassianism's love of [[word play]] and concern for the musical qualities of verse. The Symbolists continued to admire [[Théophile Gautier]]'s motto of "[[art for art's sake]]", and retained – and modified – Parnassianism's mood of ironic detachment.<ref>Balakian, see above; see also Houston, introduction.</ref> Many Symbolist poets, including [[Stéphane Mallarmé]] and [[Paul Verlaine]], published early works in ''[[Le Parnasse contemporain]]'', the poetry anthologies that gave Parnassianism its name. But [[Arthur Rimbaud]] publicly mocked prominent Parnassians and published scatological parodies of some of their main authors, including [[François Coppée]] – misattributed to Coppée himself – in ''[[L'Album zutique]]''.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://fr.wikisource.org/wiki/Album_zutique|title=Album zutique – Wikisource|website=fr.wikisource.org|date=12 February 1965 |pages=111–121 |publisher=Gallimard, NRF, Bibliothèque de la Pléiade }}</ref>

One of Symbolism's most colourful promoters in Paris was art and literary critic (and [[occult]]ist) [[Joséphin Péladan]], who established the [[Salon de la Rose + Croix]]. The Salon hosted a series of six presentations of avant-garde art, writing and music during the 1890s, to give a presentation space for artists embracing spiritualism, mysticism, and idealism in their work. A number of Symbolists were associated with the Salon.