Art of the Occult A Visual Sourcebook for the Modern Mystic
Produktdetaljer
Biografisk notat
S. Elizabeth (aka Mlle Ghoul) is a writer, curator, and frill-seeker. Her essays and interviews focusing on esoteric art have appeared in Haute Macabre, Coilhouse, Dirge Magazine, Death & The Maiden, and her occulture blog Unquiet Things, which intersects music, fashion, horror, perfume, and grief. She is the co-creator of The Occult Activity Book Vol 1 and 2 and the author of The Art of the Occult (2020), The Art of Darkness (2022) and The Art of Fantasy (2023).Art of the Occult A Visual Sourcebook for the Modern Mystic
<b>"This exhibition-in-a-book brings together a cornucopia of images from the Western occult tradition in a manner that inspires curiosity and thought."</b>
MythLore
<p>“No matter what the particular belief or sect, imagery has always played a vital role in the occult. Featuring a wide range of artists from the unknown to the famous and divided into thematic chapters, <i>The Art of the Occult</i> is a visual journey through the artistic interpretations of the mystical.”</p>
The Lineup
A visual feast of eclectic artwork informed and inspired by spiritual beliefs, magical techniques, mythology and otherworldly experiences.
Mystical beliefs and practices have existed for millennia, but why do we still chase the esoteric? From the beginning of human creativity itself, image-makers have been drawn to these unknown spheres and have created curious artworks that transcend time and place – but what is it that attracts artists to these magical realms?
From theosophy and kabbalah, to the zodiac and alchemy; spiritualism and ceremonial magic, to the elements and sacred geometry – The Art of the Occult introduces major occult themes and showcases the artists who have been influenced and led by them. Discover the symbolic and mythical images of the Pre-Raphaelites; the automatic drawing of Hilma af Klint and Madge Gill; Leonora Carrington's surrealist interpretation of myth, alchemy and kabbalah; and much more.
Featuring prominent, marginalised and little-known artists, The Art of the Occult crosses mystical spheres in a bid to inspire and delight. Divided into thematic chapters (The Cosmos, Higher Beings, Practitioners), the book acts as an entertaining introduction to the art of mysticism – with essays examining each practice and over 175 artworks to discover.
The art of the occult has always existed in the margins but inspired the masses, and this book will spark curiosity in all fans of magic, mysticism and the mysterious.
A visually rich sourcebook featuring eclectic artwork (from the late-nineteenth century to today) inspired and informed by the mystical, esoteric and occult.
Part I The Cosmos
i. The Very Shape of Things: Sacred Geometry in Art
ii. Gazing at the Stars: Astrology and the Zodiac in Art
iii. The Imagery and Inspiration of the Elements
iv. Alchemy and the Artistic Spirit
Part II Higher Beings
v. Gods and Immortals: Divine Expression Through the Arts
vi. The Kabbalah as a Source of Artistic Expression
vii. Theosophical Thought Manifested Through Art
viii. The Hermetic Tradition and the Arts
Part III Practitioners
ix. Potions, Persecutions and Power: Witches and Witchcraft in Art
x. Spirit Art and Spiritualism
xi. Emblems of Insight and Divine Inspiration: Divination in the Arts
xii. Ceremonial Magic: Invoking the Artistic Spirit
Index
Further Reading
Picture Credits
Thanks/About the Author
For fans of the occult, witchcraft and esoteric. This is a fresh approach for art lovers – looking at works from outside the usual gallery spaces, and juxtaposing the famous with the unknowns.
<b>"This exhibition-in-a-book brings together a cornucopia of images from the Western occult tradition in a manner that inspires curiosity and thought."</b>
MythLore
<p>“No matter what the particular belief or sect, imagery has always played a vital role in the occult. Featuring a wide range of artists from the unknown to the famous and divided into thematic chapters, <i>The Art of the Occult</i> is a visual journey through the artistic interpretations of the mystical.”</p>
The Lineup
A visual feast of eclectic artwork informed and inspired by spiritual beliefs, magical techniques, mythology and otherworldly experiences.
Mystical beliefs and practices have existed for millennia, but why do we still chase the esoteric? From the beginning of human creativity itself, image-makers have been drawn to these unknown spheres and have created curious artworks that transcend time and place – but what is it that attracts artists to these magical realms?
From theosophy and kabbalah, to the zodiac and alchemy; spiritualism and ceremonial magic, to the elements and sacred geometry – The Art of the Occult introduces major occult themes and showcases the artists who have been influenced and led by them. Discover the symbolic and mythical images of the Pre-Raphaelites; the automatic drawing of Hilma af Klint and Madge Gill; Leonora Carrington's surrealist interpretation of myth, alchemy and kabbalah; and much more.
Featuring prominent, marginalised and little-known artists, The Art of the Occult crosses mystical spheres in a bid to inspire and delight. Divided into thematic chapters (The Cosmos, Higher Beings, Practitioners), the book acts as an entertaining introduction to the art of mysticism – with essays examining each practice and over 175 artworks to discover.
The art of the occult has always existed in the margins but inspired the masses, and this book will spark curiosity in all fans of magic, mysticism and the mysterious.
A visually rich sourcebook featuring eclectic artwork (from the late-nineteenth century to today) inspired and informed by the mystical, esoteric and occult.
Part I The Cosmos
i. The Very Shape of Things: Sacred Geometry in Art
ii. Gazing at the Stars: Astrology and the Zodiac in Art
iii. The Imagery and Inspiration of the Elements
iv. Alchemy and the Artistic Spirit
Part II Higher Beings
v. Gods and Immortals: Divine Expression Through the Arts
vi. The Kabbalah as a Source of Artistic Expression
vii. Theosophical Thought Manifested Through Art
viii. The Hermetic Tradition and the Arts
Part III Practitioners
ix. Potions, Persecutions and Power: Witches and Witchcraft in Art
x. Spirit Art and Spiritualism
xi. Emblems of Insight and Divine Inspiration: Divination in the Arts
xii. Ceremonial Magic: Invoking the Artistic Spirit
Index
Further Reading
Picture Credits
Thanks/About the Author
For fans of the occult, witchcraft and esoteric. This is a fresh approach for art lovers – looking at works from outside the usual gallery spaces, and juxtaposing the famous with the unknowns.