The study of a group of domestic and foreign authors is devoted to symbolism as spiritual search, philosophical awareness of the secrets of nature and man. The fine motifs and features of style inherent in modern art are carefully considered, the historical formation of Art Nouveau and symbolism, their connection with late romanticism and expressionism are shown. One of the main tasks of the book is to expand the idea of ​ ​ national identity and creative communities in European art at the turn of the XIX-XX centuries. For the first time in Russian, unknown materials are published about the art of Vienna and Munich, Paris and Glasgow, the specifics of Russian, Polish, Swedish, Danish architecture and art are discussed.