Péladan : Online Occultism & Art Event - Sasha Chaitow

Join our free online salon launching Sasha Chaitow’s book on Joséphin Péladan (1858-1918), the notorious Rosicrucian occult writer of the French fin-de-siècle.  It's a lively panel discussion in which Sasha is joined by:

 - David Beth (publisher, Theion)

- Dr Christopher McIntosh (former professor, Exeter University)

- Madeleine LeDespencer (connoisseur, fin-de-siècle art and literature)  

The event also opens Sasha's solo art exhibition at Treadwell's, a show of Péladan-inspired works, including those which illustrate her book. During the online salon, Sasha gives a virtual tour of pieces, discussing her application of Péladan’s theory of art. 

     THE BOOK: Son of Prometheus: The Life and Work of Joséphin Péladan by Sasha Chaitow is the first scholarly study of the life and work of Joséphin Péladan. It situates him in the history of Western Esotericism. This groundbreaking work provides the first full outline of his philosophy of the esoteric power of art, and gives the first complete roadmap to  initiatory system. (Theion, 2022).  Forewords by Professors Per Faxneld and Christopher McIntosh. Illustrated by Sasha Chaitow. Endorsed by Professor Christopher Partridge.

      THE ART EXHIBITION:  The Treadwell's in-person exhibition shows two collections of ink on paper illustrations. Thie first consists of nine images which illustrate the book, in three hand-rendered three versions (black and white, red-gold, and full colour). These are symbolic guides to key ideas in Péladan’s cosmology and initiatory teachings. The book includes explanations of each, with Péladan’s original words that inspired each piece. The second collection is 'Genii of the Rose-Croix'; it features figures Péladan considered to be daemonic incarnations charged with guiding humanity:  Prometheus, Orpheus, Hypatia, Sappho, Eros, Diotima, Plato, Diogenes the Areopagite, Sophia, and Péladan himself. In these works, Sasha fuses elements of ancient Greek and Byzantine art with layered symbolic meaning, in order to create icons of Péladan’s patron saints.

WHERE: Treadwell’s downstairs space, 33 Store Street, London WC1E 7BS

DATES: 28 November - 19 December. Open Weds through Sat, 12pm - 7pm (closed Sun-Tues)  

BUYING: All works for sale, both original art and limited, signed prints

ONLINE BUYING: https://shop.sashachaitow.co.uk after 27th November 

Praise for Son of Prometheus

 "Previous studies of Péladan have failed to deliver a complete picture of the man and his achievements. Most art historians have little understanding of the esoteric and are even apt to be hostile towards esoteric interpretations of an artist. Scholars of esotericism, on the other hand, are often ignorant of art history. Sasha Chaitow is uniquely qualified to write this study, having a knowledge of art history as well as the esoteric context of Péladan’s work. She also has the insight that comes from being an artist herself. One of the great merits of the book is her very clear and detailed exposition of Péladan`s initiation system.  Not long ago the subject of Péladan would have been regarded as belonging to a minor side road in the history of art, esotericism or the Belle Epoque. Now, in an age when the arts are largely cut off from tradition and bereft of beauty or spiritual meaning, his message is perhaps more relevant than ever. In Sasha Chaitow he has at last found a biographer able to do him justice."  Christopher McIntosh, former Professor of History of Western Esotericism, at Exeter University (EXESESO)

"Joséphin Péladan is one of those creative, original, and influential thinkers that deserves far more attention than he has so far received. Sasha Chaitow’s groundbreaking book, which is rooted in careful scholarship and insightful analysis, fills this lacuna in studies of Western esotericism. Whether you are interested in occult trajectories within modernism, fin-de-siècle esotericism, or Orientalist discourses during the French occult revival, you will profit from reading this lucid and engaging study of a truly fascinating thinker."  Christopher Partridge, Professor of Religious Studies, Lancaster University