symbolism
(later 19th century)
In art, the movement's aims were set out by the French critic ALBERT AURIER in an article in the Mercure de France (March, 1891).
He asserted that a work of art must be 'ideaed'; that is, the expression of the idea. Symbolist, since it expresses idea through form; synthetic as its method of representation is general, and subjective and decorative.
Adherents' interest in the occult, poetry and religion often imbued their work with an ethereal and mystical character.