Religious symbols in 20. century European pictorial art

ABSTRACT RELIGIOUS SYMBOLS IN 20. CENTURY EUROPEAN PICTORIAL ART ELMAS, Ali Osman Post Graduate Thesis, Department of Art Thesis Advisor: Prof. Dr. Lale ALTINKURT July, 2014, 139 Pages Although the meanings of the oldest known cave paintings remain their mystery, it is assumed that they have been done for religious and spiritual purposes. In the opposite side of the nature, human beings formed various rituals in order to protect themselves, to hunt their prey, and to survive. It can be said that the first paintings of the people, who are hunters and gatherers, have been done as a symbol of efficiency and as a part of a ritual. Polytheistic belief had an important role for human beings while they give meaning to the nature and natural events. The religious associations which contribute to the social order, had a great power over the societies. Sometimes, whole these rules and rituals became the reason of conflicts and wars. Religions have been accepted by the societies with their various rules, rituals ceremonies, and symbols. As a member of the society, the artist has been affected by the religious associations of that time. The pictorial art in Europe has been supported by various religious associations at certain times. During this interaction, like the other art fields the pictorial art turned into a schematic and simplified form when the occasion arises. Sometimes, it crossed the line in the name of the topic, technique, and using of plastic language. Eventually, it became a tool which includes religious topics and symbols. This research tries to handle the artists' works who used religious symbols in their paintings in the industrialization and modernization period. The research includes the belief systems of the societies, the definition of the symbol and its historical process, and the movement of symbolism. Also, the research tries to examine the industrialization process, the social life with the effect of the technological innovations, the outcomes of the intellectual mentality, and the using of religious symbols by the artists under the influence of the movements like symbolism. The pictorial art acted in a certain manner against the rigid and stereotyped thoughts and also against the academic understanding. However, in the troubled atmosphere of the era, the artists used religious symbols while they are trying to understand the nature of the world by not caring that they are stereotyped. It is obvious that using of these symbols sometimes has a criticism against the religious manner, but sometimes it refers to the past as the most understandable way. Also, it can be said that in the paintings of the artists like Chagall and Nolde, there are religious symbols inside of the main poetical theme. The religious symbols in the paintings reflect certain parts of the artists' past lives and cultural identity instead of aiming to give a message. Keywords: Symbol, Religious Pictures.