Mark Lancelot Symons

Mark Lancelot Symons

Mark Lancelot Symons was an English Symbolist artist who lived from 1887 to 1935. Symons was inspired by the Pre-Raphaelite and Symbolism artists, and his resulting work bridges the period from the Victorian era to the Edwardian era, into the modern age.  

Symons was born into an artistic family in Hampstead, England. His father, William Christian Symons, was also a well-known artist, and his cousin, Arthur Symons, was an editor and writer for ‘The Savoy’. ‘The Savoy” was a highly controversial publication that produced eight magazine issues. It was published in London in 1896 and featured modern art and literature from artists such as Aubrey Beardsley. His parents were friends with many artists, including John Singer Sargent and James McNeill Whistler. 

Symons originally went to school for art but left early to become a priest. He was born into a Catholic family and practiced religion his whole life. He was known to preach at numerous occasions, sometimes in London in front of a crucifix at Hyde Park Corner. Symons did continue to paint, but only as a hobby. Early on, art wasn’t necessarily his passion. In 1924, Symons met and married his wife, Constance Gerber. After seeing an unfinished painting of his, Constance convinced Symons to return to painting, which he thankfully did. 

Symons’s work was a form of religious symbolism. He painted religious ideas and scenes in the scenery of his own local town of Reading, England. Setting Biblical scenes in contemporary settings was actually highly controversial in his day. His work was often criticized by both the public and the Royal Academy, where he sometimes showed his work. 

Symons spent the last 10 years of his life producing a large body of art. This is the period when he painted the majority of his works that we are familiar with today. He died young at just 48 years of age from a brain tumor. Unfortunately, there is not much written about Mark Symons. I believe his art is worth a revival.

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