Fauvism was a revolutionary art movement that emerged in France around 1904-1908, led by Henri Matisse and André Derain. The name “Fauvism” comes from the French word “fauves” meaning “wild beasts” – a term coined by art critic Louis Vauxcelles when he saw their boldly colored paintings at the Salon d’Automne in 1905.
Their use of colour was radical for the time – they employed pure, intense colours straight from the tube, often in unexpected ways that didn’t correspond to reality. For example, they might paint trees red or faces green. This liberation of colour from its descriptive function was revolutionary.
The brushwork was typically bold and loose, with less emphasis on precise detail. Fauvists preferred to capture the emotional essence of a scene rather than its exact appearance.
Key artists associated with the movement included:
Henri Matisse, considered the movement’s leader, known for works like “The Green Stripe” and “The Joy of Life”
André Derain, who created vibrant landscapes of London and the French countryside
Maurice de Vlaminck, who claimed he used colors as sticks of dynamite
Georges Braque, who later became one of the founders of Cubism
While Fauvism was short-lived (lasting only about four years), its influence was significant. The movement helped pave the way for future developments in modern art, particularly in its emphasis on expressive colour and the idea that art could deviate from natural appearance to convey emotion or sensation.
The Fauves were influenced by Post-Impressionist painters like Van Gogh and Gauguin, particularly in their use of arbitrary colour and emphasis on emotional expression. However, they pushed these ideas even further, creating some of the first truly modern paintings that completely broke from traditional representation.
The most prominent Fauve artists and their key contributions to this bold, colourful movement that flourished in France from approximately 1904-1908:
Henri Matisse – The undisputed leader of the Fauvists. His works like “The Green Stripe” (1905) and “The Joy of Life” (1905-06) exemplify the movement’s use of intense, non-naturalistic colors and bold brushwork. Matisse’s innovative use of colour revolutionized modern art.
André Derain – Co-founder of the movement with Matisse. His vibrant landscapes of London and the French Riviera, particularly the series “London Bridge” (1906), demonstrate the Fauvist approach of using pure color to convey emotion rather than reality.
Maurice de Vlaminck – Known for particularly aggressive brushwork and pure color usage. He claimed to have “tried to express my feelings rather than what I saw.” His landscape “The River Seine at Chatou” (1906) is a quintessential Fauvist work.
Albert Marquet – Though more moderate in his use of color than his contemporaries, his urban scenes of Paris and port views contributed significantly to the movement. He later moved toward a more naturalistic style.
Georges Braque – Before becoming a pioneer of Cubism, Braque painted in the Fauvist style. His landscapes from L’Estaque show the influence of the movement’s bold colour choices.
Raoul Dufy – Known for his light, spontaneous style. His scenes of regattas and social events maintained the Fauvist love of colour while developing a more decorative approach.
Charles Camoin – A close friend of Matisse who participated in the scandalous 1905 Salon d’Automne exhibition that gave the movement its name (“les fauves” meaning “the wild beasts”).
Louis Valtat – Though sometimes considered a precursor to Fauvism rather than a true Fauve, his vibrant landscapes and still lifes aligned closely with the movement’s aesthetic.
André Derain made several significant contributions to Fauvism:
He co-founded the movement with Henri Matisse around 1904, helping establish its core principles of using pure, vibrant colors and bold brushwork.
One of his most important contributions was his series of London paintings (1905-1906), commissioned by art dealer Ambroise Vollard. These works, depicting landmarks like Tower Bridge and the Thames, transformed traditional city scenes with radical, non-naturalistic colors – using bright oranges, pinks, and purples to capture London’s atmosphere despite its typically gray weather.
Derain developed a distinctive technique of applying pure colors directly from the tube to the canvas with minimal mixing, creating striking contrasts. His use of complementary colors (like blue against orange) became a hallmark of Fauvist style.
He helped develop the theoretical basis of Fauvism, particularly the idea that color should be used expressively rather than naturalistically. He believed color could convey emotion and spiritual meaning independent of its relationship to reality.
Some of his most influential Fauvist paintings include:
- “The Pool of London” (1906)
- “Charing Cross Bridge” (1906)
- “The Turning Road, L’Estaque” (1906)
- “Mountains at Collioure” (1905)
His work alongside Matisse at Collioure in 1905 was crucial in developing the movement’s characteristic style. Their artistic dialogue helped establish the bold approach to color that defined Fauvism.
However, it’s worth noting that Derain’s involvement with Fauvism was relatively brief. By 1908, he had moved away from the movement’s radical approach, transitioning to a more traditional style influenced by classical painting.