“Painting is silent poetry, and poetry painting that speaks.” This phrase, first attributed to Simonides from Plutarch’s “Moralia” and later reiterated by the Roman poet Horace in “ut pictura poesis,” holds true even today. Writers have shaped—and simultaneously been influenced by—great works of art throughout history, and sociopolitical and cultural movements started by impactful literary works often develop in parallel with artistic movements. 
 
Impressionism 
The art movement known as impressionism initially developed in 19th-century France as a form of rebellion against the rigid rules of classicism.  

Classical painters used historical elements and mythology containing literary overtones in their work. In contrast, impressionist painters strove for more personal and accurate depictions of reality and, unlike classical artists, painted outside to take advantage of natural lighting. French artist Claude Monet’s 1872 painting “Impression, soleil levant,” which translates to “Impression, Sunrise,” is credited as the movement’s namesake, arguably also giving rise to impressionist literature and impressionist music.  

Modernist writers like Katherine Mansfield and Virginia Woolf were greatly influenced by impressionistic art. Virginia Woolf’s short stories and novels frequently used imagery and stream of consciousness to show an emotional world rather than a factual one. Similarly, composers of this time used impressionism as an antithesis to the rigid Romantic and Classical musical styles of the age, instead opting for more suggestive harmonies and timbres. Pianist Claude Debussy created a series of books with his opera “Broillards,” which is structured like a musical poem. 
 

The Pre-Raphaelites of Mid-19th-Century England 
Pre-Raphaelitism was a countercultural movement formed in response to the restrictive rules of Victorian art and writing, impressionism, and the negative sociopolitical impacts of the industrial revolution. The Pre-Raphaelite style revived Medieval and Renaissance elements of religion, the supernatural, and fairy tales. Painters were deeply impacted by prominent writers of the time and sought to emphasize the interconnections between art and literature. For example, “Lady Lilith” (1866-1868) by painter-poet Dante Gabriel Rossetti explored sexual oppression. He was influenced by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe’s biblically themed play “Faust.” Elements of Pre-Raphaelitism are evident in the work of important authors like Alfred Lord Tennyson, William Morris, and Walter Pater. Composers of the mid-19th-century were similarly influenced by the Pre-Raphaelite love of medieval themes to challenge the rapidly changing times. Interestingly, the movement’s longevity seems to have endured far past initial expectations: Pre-Raphaelitism saw resurging popularity in the print and media as recently as the 1980s. 

Modern Media 
The movie industry that rose up around Hollywood in the early 20th century was a new form of visual art dependent on the literary material provided by scriptwriters and authors. Breakthrough novels of the time—such as Margaret Mitchell’s “Gone with the Wind” or Jules Verne’s “Around the World in Eighty Days”—have been adapted into timeless, defining, Oscar-winning films.  

Likewise, many great modern operas have been repeatedly adapted from classical works of literature, like William Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet.” Other classics like “Carol,” “Room,” and “Dracula” are operas adapted from their literary counterparts that have become Oscar-nominated hits. 
 
Explore Literature’s Influence on the Visual Arts Throughout the Ages 
If you’re eager to explore this subject in more detail, consider our course “Literature and the Visual Arts” (ENGL 6332), part of The University of Texas Permian Basin’s MA in English program. Students taking this course will develop an in-depth understanding of British and American literature as it’s represented in art and music throughout history, focusing especially on impressionism, Pre-Raphaelitism, and major operas. 

There are no formal prerequisites: only 24 English undergraduate credits or admission into our master’s degree program. 

Your Degree at Your Pace 

Our MA in English program is entirely online and can prepare you for a lucrative career in teaching, writing, communication, advertising, civil service, or education—and even lay the foundation for a doctorate degree. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, students graduating with master’s degrees make about 20% more than a working professional holding only a bachelor’s degree. 

Our program is affordable, convenient, and flexible—and motivated students may accelerate their studies and finish in as little as one year! Join The University of Texas Permian Basin online and see why our program is unlike any other. Apply for our Master of Arts in English today. 

Sources: 
https://www.worldhistory.org/Greek_Tragedy/
https://www.jstor.org/stable/4348797
https://www.britannica.com/art/Impressionism-art
https://www.ipl.org/essay/Visual-Art-In-Literature-Analysis-FKLBGR7ESJF6
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Impressionism_in_music
https://www.abc.net.au/classic/read-and-watch/music-reads/love-and-desire/10784514
https://www.oxfordbibliographies.com/view/document/obo-9780199799558/obo-9780199799558-0054.xml
https://artincontext.org/famous-baroque-paintings/
https://www.masterclass.com/articles/impressionism-music-explained
https://www.jstor.org/stable/10.7591/j.ctvn96f6d.8