Carlos Schwabe

Carlos Schwabe (1866–1926), German, Carlos Schwabe, born Emile Martin Charles Schwabe on July 21, 1866, in Altona, Germany, was a pivotal figure in the Symbolist movement and an early influencer of Art Nouveau. His family relocated to Geneva around 1870, where Schwabe pursued his education at the École des arts industriels from 1882 to 1884. Moving to Paris thereafter, he immersed himself in the Symbolist aesthetic, which profoundly influenced his artistic output, characterized by intricate floral motifs and ethereal figures like angels and the Virgin Mary. Schwabe's talent for illustration led him to collaborate on notable literary works, including Émile Zola's 'Le rêve' and Charles Baudelaire's 'Les Fleurs du Mal,' showcasing his ability to blend visual art with literary symbolism. His contributions to art were recognized with a Gold Medal at the 1900 Paris Exposition and his appointment as an Officer of the French Legion of Honor in 1901. Schwabe's personal life saw him marry twice, first to Marie-Adélaïde Vari in 1891 and later to Ombra d’Ornhjelm in 1913, and he became a Swiss citizen in 1888. He spent his remaining years in France, passing away on January 22, 1926, in Avon, leaving behind a legacy as a master of Symbolist art and a precursor to the Jugendstil movement.