Paul Ranson 

Editor: We’re looking at Paul Ranson’s painting from about 1890. It’s an oil painting filled with really strange scenes – couples everywhere, some human, some…not so much. It feels dreamlike and unsettling. What do you make of it? Curator: The symbolism here is dense, recalling the emotional landscape of myth. Do you notice the juxtaposition of human and bestial figures? This isn't merely playful; it reflects the Symbolist movement's interest in exploring primal instincts, challenging Victorian era norms. Editor: Yeah, the figures with pig heads kissing in the tent definitely stand out! Is Ranson trying to tell us something about human nature through those animalistic forms? Curator: Precisely. The pig, historically linked with both abundance and carnal desire, appears in sharp contrast with the idealized nude couple floating in the upper register, maybe embodying both profane and sacred love. Do you also see the hints of violence in the lower-left corner? What feelings does that evoke, combined with everything else you see here? Editor: It’s confusing because the style feels almost childlike, but the imagery is definitely adult, maybe even disturbing. It feels like I’m not supposed to understand it fully, almost like glimpsing a secret ritual. Curator: Symbolism is all about creating personal languages of feeling; the artist may be less concerned with literal translation, and more so on creating space for interpretation, inviting viewers into an intensely subjective psychological experience. Consider, too, the broader context. Art like this appeared at the twilight of old orders when society faced widespread upheavals. What did you take away from looking closely? Editor: I’m struck by the boldness of his vision. Even if it doesn’t all “make sense”, I definitely won’t forget it. Curator: And isn't that the true power of symbolism, to lodge itself within our collective consciousness?