What is the difference between Symbolism and Expressionism?

The difference between Symbolism and Expressionism comes down to the primary goals of the artists who worked in the movements. Symbolist artists sought to convey meaning by incorporating symbols into their works. They often drew inspiration from literary themes, myths and legends when selecting symbols. Instead of striving to convey symbolic meanings, Expressionists aimed to capture the emotional experiences of themselves and their subjects through color, line and other artistic elements. On 1stDibs, explore a wide variety of Symbolist and Expressionist art.