There’s a certain type of art, or a period or style, that I’ve always liked, but I can’t think of any definitive works or examples. It seems to be Victorian or very early twentieth centure in nature, and is preoccupied with very dark, almost spooky representations of the fantastic - elaborate, slightly creepy suns and moons with faces, perhaps animals dressed as people doing weird things, perhaps some arcane religious symbolism, and so on. It has a very “Alice in Wonderland” vibe.
The only thing I can think of is the album art to the Smashing Pumpkins’ Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness, which seemed to really latch on to this vibe. Here are some pictures of it.
The cover art really nails the whole vibe/style/period/whatever in one image.
Weirdo sun from the liner notes.
Rabbbits playing baseball for an audience of babies?
…and tow creepy victorian children with pet lamb and sacred heart
So, what’s being represented here? What’s this motif/mood/style/movement/period, and what are some other things that capture this?