Visions of the Occult: An Untold Story of Art & Magic

Visions of the Occult is like a magic potion brewed deep within the hidden vaults of the Tate art collection, where the author (a Tate Archivist) has skilfully selected enchanting ingredients and alchemically combined them, distilling them into something new and fresh. The outcome is an intoxicating yet accessible journey through the occult influences of British art.The book is divided into short chapters each with enticing titles like Alchemy, Divination and Unseen Energies, providing overviews of how these themes are reflected in the work of British artists past and present. Each chapter also includes an 'in focus' section looking closely at individual artworks. This is a book you can really linger over, slowly taking in the beautiful images and excellent, well-researched writing. Even if you already know a fair bit about the various occult themes covered here, you will probably find new ways to appreciate them through the prism of these artworks.