Introductory Visual Arts: Art History Timeline - Fauvism Matisse Derain Vlaminck Dufy Braque early

What It Is

Fauvism was an early 20th-century art movement characterized by the use of vivid, unblended colors and energetic brushstrokes. Henri Matisse's "The Dance" (1909-1910) exemplifies this style, where bold colors and dynamic movement create a sense of joy and energy. Understanding Fauvism matters for analyzing art because it highlights the importance of color and expressive brushwork in modern art.

Key Terms & Techniques

• Fauvism: Art movement (1905-1910) emphasizing vivid colors and energetic brushstrokes.
• Vibrant Colors: Bright, unblended colors used to evoke emotions and create a sense of energy.
  • Example: Matisse's "The Dance" (1909-1910)
• Expressive Brushstrokes: Loose, spontaneous brushstrokes used to convey movement and emotion.
  • Example: Derain's "The Turning Road" (1906)
• Impasto: Thick, heavy application of paint to create texture and visual interest.
  • Example: Vlaminck's "The Seine at Chatou" (1906)
• Synthetism: Art movement (1890s) emphasizing the synthesis of color and form.
  • Example: Matisse's "The Woman with a Hat" (1905)
• Neo-Impressionism: Art movement (1880s) emphasizing the use of small dots of color to create a sense of movement.
  • Example: Seurat's "A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte" (1886)
• Divisionism: Art movement (1890s) emphasizing the division of colors into their constituent parts.
  • Example: Seurat's "Bathers at Asnières" (1884)
• Henri Matisse: French artist (1869-1954) and key figure in Fauvism.
• André Derain: French artist (1880-1954) and key figure in Fauvism.
• Maurice de Vlaminck: French artist (1876-1958) and key figure in Fauvism.
• Raoul Dufy: French artist (1877-1953) and key figure in Fauvism.
• Pablo Picasso (early): Spanish artist (1881-1973) who was influenced by Fauvism in his early work.
• Cubism: Art movement (1907-1914) emphasizing the fragmentation of objects into geometric forms.
  • Example: Picasso's "Les Demoiselles d'Avignon" (1907)
• Synthetic Cubism: Art movement (1912-1919) emphasizing the use of collage and papier collé.
  • Example: Picasso's "Still Life with Chair Caning" (1912)

Common Misunderstandings

• Misunderstanding: Fauvism was a reaction against Impressionism.
• Correction: Fauvism was a reaction against traditional representational art and the conventions of Impressionism, but it was also influenced by Impressionism and Neo-Impressionism.
• Misunderstanding: Fauvism was a short-lived movement.
• Correction: Fauvism was a relatively short-lived movement, lasting from 1905 to 1910, but its influence can be seen in the work of artists such as Picasso and Braque.
• Misunderstanding: Fauvism was only about color.
• Correction: While color was a key element of Fauvism, the movement also emphasized expressive brushwork and a sense of energy and movement.

Quick Identification

1. An artwork featuring bold, unblended colors and energetic brushstrokes is an example of:
   • Answer: Fauvism
   • Reason: The artwork's use of vibrant colors and expressive brushstrokes is characteristic of the Fauvist style.
2. An artist who was influenced by Fauvism in his early work is:
   • Answer: Pablo Picasso
   • Reason: Picasso's early work, such as "Les Demoiselles d'Avignon" (1907), shows the influence of Fauvism.
3. A technique used by Fauvist artists to create texture and visual interest is:
   • Answer: Impasto
   • Reason: Impasto was used by Fauvist artists such as Vlaminck to create thick, heavy textures in their paintings.

Last?Minute Revision

Fauvism was a French art movement. The Fauvist movement lasted from 1905 to 1910. Henri Matisse was a key figure in Fauvism. Fauvist artists emphasized expressive brushwork and vibrant colors. The term "Fauvism" comes from the French word for "wild beasts." Fauvism was influenced by Impressionism and Neo-Impressionism. Pablo Picasso was influenced by Fauvism in his early work. Synthetic Cubism was a later art movement that emerged from Fauvism. Raoul Dufy was a French artist and key figure in Fauvism. Maurice de Vlaminck was a French artist and key figure in Fauvism. André Derain was a French artist and key figure in Fauvism. Henri Matisse's "The Dance" (1909-1910) is a famous example of Fauvist art. Fauvist artists often used bold, unblended colors to evoke emotions. Expressive brushstrokes were a key element of Fauvist art. Impasto was a technique used by Fauvist artists to create texture and visual interest.