Carlos Schwabe (1866-1926), though of German origin, acquired Swiss nationality and lived in France for most of his life. He settled in Paris at a time when, with the birth of Symbolism, a vast movement of reaction to Naturalism was taking shape. Despite his secret and solitary character, Schwabe was to play an important role in the artistic life of the turn of century. Social and philosophical upheavals were to turn his thoughts towards dreams and metaphysical interrogations. Through an abundance of pictorial and graphic work, the artist used his fertile imagination to create a magical, more generous world. He also placed his art in the service of some of the greatest names of his era (Baudelaire, Mallarme, Samain, Maeterlink and Zola), in the illustrations of books which remain amongst the treasures of bibliophiles.