Arnold Böcklin

Arnold Böcklin, born 1827 in Basel, was a very important artist of the 19th century and the founder of Symbolism. Böcklin studied from 1845 to 1847 at the Kunstakademie Düsseldorf. In 1850, he moved to Rome, where he was part of a close circle of German artists. The classical culture in Rome inspired him to use his landscapes as settings for mythological themes. Seven years later, he moved back to Basel and exhibited his work at the Kunstverein München. King Ludwig I and his interest in Böcklins work made him one of the most famous artists of that period. After signing a contract with the dealer Fritz Gurlitt in 1880, his work became very successful. He finally moved into the Villa Bellagio in San Domenico in 1894 and died there seven years later. His work was praised by surrealist artists such as Giorgio de Chirico.