7.1 Defining characteristics and principles of Post-Impressionism
4 min read•august 13, 2024
emerged as a reaction to Impressionism, rejecting its focus on fleeting light and color. Instead, artists like Van Gogh and Cézanne embraced bold colors, simplified forms, and expressive brushwork to convey their inner visions and emotions.
This movement paved the way for modern art by emphasizing personal expression and challenging artistic norms. Post-Impressionists used vivid hues and distorted shapes to create meaningful, spiritually resonant works that went beyond mere representation of the visible world.
Post-Impressionism vs Impressionism
Rejection of Impressionist Principles
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- Post-Impressionists rejected the Impressionists' emphasis on capturing fleeting moments of light and color in favor of more structured, symbolic, and expressive compositions
- While Impressionists focused on depicting the external world, Post-Impressionists prioritized the artist's subjective experience and personal interpretation of their subjects
- Post-Impressionism encompasses a diverse range of individual styles and techniques, unified by a shared interest in expressing the artist's unique perspective and breaking free from traditional artistic conventions
- Post-Impressionists sought to create art that was more meaningful, expressive, and spiritually resonant than the Impressionists' focus on capturing fleeting moments of the visible world
Distinctive Visual Characteristics
- Post-Impressionist works often feature bold, unrealistic colors (vivid yellows, blues, and greens in Van Gogh's paintings), simplified or distorted forms, and visible brushstrokes that convey the artist's emotions and inner vision
- Artists simplified and distorted forms to emphasize the essential qualities of their subjects and to create more powerful, expressive compositions ('s landscapes and still lifes)
- The combination of bold colors, simplified forms, and expressive brushwork allowed Post-Impressionists to create visually striking and emotionally charged works that challenged traditional notions of beauty and representation
- Post-Impressionist art is characterized by a departure from realistic representation in favor of more expressive, symbolic, and subjective depictions of the world
Personal Expression in Post-Impressionism
Conveying Inner Thoughts and Emotions
- Post-Impressionists believed that art should not merely imitate reality but should serve as a vehicle for conveying the artist's thoughts, feelings, and spiritual or philosophical ideas
- Artists such as , , and Paul Cézanne sought to express their inner worlds through their art, often sacrificing realistic depiction in favor of emotional and symbolic content
- Many Post-Impressionists, such as Paul Gauguin and Vincent van Gogh, were inspired by the idea that art should express the artist's inner world and convey universal truths or emotions
- The emphasis on personal expression in Post-Impressionism allowed artists to create works that were deeply meaningful and emotionally resonant, reflecting their unique perspectives and experiences
Paving the Way for Abstract Art
- By emphasizing the artist's subjective vision, Post-Impressionists paved the way for the development of more abstract and expressive forms of art in the early 20th century
- The philosophical and artistic motivations of the Post-Impressionists laid the groundwork for the development of various modern art movements (Fauvism, Expressionism, and Cubism)
- Post-Impressionism's focus on personal expression and the rejection of traditional artistic conventions set the stage for the radical experimentation and innovation of later avant-garde movements
- The subjective and expressive qualities of Post-Impressionist art influenced the development of abstract art, as artists increasingly sought to convey inner experiences and emotions rather than depict the external world
Artistic Techniques of Post-Impressionism
Use of Color
- Post-Impressionists often employed vivid, non-naturalistic colors to convey emotions, create visual harmony, or symbolize ideas (works of Vincent van Gogh and Paul Gauguin)
- Bold, unrealistic colors were used to express the artist's subjective experience and to evoke specific moods or feelings (Van Gogh's intense, vibrant hues)
- Color was used symbolically and expressively, rather than as a means of accurately representing the natural world
- The use of bold, non-naturalistic colors in Post-Impressionism challenged traditional notions of and paved the way for more experimental approaches to color in modern art
Brushwork and Form
- Visible, expressive brushstrokes were used to convey the artist's presence, energy, and emotional state, as well as to draw attention to the surface of the painting itself (works of Vincent van Gogh and Georges Seurat)
- Artists simplified and distorted forms to emphasize the essential qualities of their subjects and to create more powerful, expressive compositions (Paul Cézanne's landscapes and still lifes)
- The use of visible brushstrokes and simplified forms in Post-Impressionism emphasized the artist's hand and the materiality of the painting, challenging the traditional ideal of a smooth, illusionistic surface
- The expressive brushwork and distorted forms of Post-Impressionist art influenced the development of various modern art movements (Expressionism and Cubism)
Motivations for Post-Impressionism
Philosophical and Artistic Influences
- Post-Impressionists were influenced by various philosophical and artistic ideas, including symbolism, , and the belief in the spiritual and expressive power of art
- The Post-Impressionist movement was driven by a desire to break free from the limitations of Impressionism and to explore new ways of representing reality and expressing the human experience
- Post-Impressionists drew inspiration from a range of sources, including Japanese woodblock prints, African art, and the works of earlier artists such as Rembrandt and Delacroix
- The philosophical and artistic influences on Post-Impressionism reflected a broader cultural shift towards subjectivity, spirituality, and the exploration of the inner world
Challenging Artistic Conventions
- Post-Impressionists sought to create a new form of art that was more meaningful, expressive, and spiritually resonant than the Impressionists' focus on capturing fleeting moments of the visible world
- The Post-Impressionist movement challenged traditional notions of beauty, representation, and the role of the artist in society
- By prioritizing personal expression and breaking free from artistic conventions, Post-Impressionists opened up new possibilities for the creation and interpretation of art
- The innovations and challenges posed by Post-Impressionism laid the groundwork for the radical experimentation and avant-garde movements of the early 20th century (Fauvism, Expressionism, Cubism, and Surrealism)
Key Terms to Review (18)
1886 Independents Exhibition: The 1886 Independents Exhibition was an influential art show held in London, showcasing a group of artists who broke away from traditional academic standards to present their work. This exhibition is significant as it marked a pivotal moment in the history of modern art, featuring Post-Impressionist works and establishing new artistic principles that emphasized individual expression and innovative techniques. It served as a platform for artists like Vincent van Gogh and Paul Cézanne, who challenged the conventions of their time and set the stage for future movements.
Color theory: Color theory is a set of principles used to understand how colors interact, combine, and affect human perception and emotion. It encompasses the color wheel, primary, secondary, and tertiary colors, and concepts like complementary colors and color harmony, all of which are vital in the artistic exploration of light and atmosphere.
Emotional expression: Emotional expression refers to the portrayal of feelings and moods in art, conveying the artist's inner experiences and emotional state. In Post-Impressionism, artists moved beyond realistic depictions to capture more subjective emotions, emphasizing individual perception and personal interpretation over objective representation. This focus on emotion allowed for a more profound connection between the artwork and the viewer, as feelings became central to the experience of art.
Formalism: Formalism is an approach in art that emphasizes the visual elements and design principles of a work, such as color, shape, line, and composition, rather than its subject matter or emotional content. In the context of Post-Impressionism, this approach played a crucial role in how artists began to prioritize structure and form over realistic representation, leading to innovative styles and techniques that challenged traditional artistic norms.
Impressionist Rejection of Realism: The Impressionist rejection of realism refers to the movement's conscious departure from the detailed, lifelike representation of subjects that characterized earlier artistic styles. Instead, Impressionists focused on capturing fleeting moments and the effects of light and color in their work, emphasizing personal perception over objective reality. This shift marked a significant turning point in the evolution of art, as it opened the door for subsequent movements that further explored abstraction and emotional expression.
Modernity: Modernity refers to the cultural, social, and economic changes that emerged in the wake of the Enlightenment and Industrial Revolution, fundamentally reshaping society's values, practices, and artistic expressions. It is characterized by a shift towards reason, science, individualism, and secularism, reflecting the new realities of urbanization and technological advancement.
Nature: Nature refers to the physical world and its phenomena, often embodying beauty, inspiration, and emotion in art. Throughout various artistic movements, it has served as a source of reflection and exploration of human emotion, individuality, and spirituality, bridging the gap between the internal human experience and the external environment.
Paul Cézanne: Paul Cézanne was a French artist and post-impressionist painter whose work laid the foundations for the transition from 19th century art to the emerging modern art movements of the 20th century. His unique approach to color, form, and composition emphasized the structural elements of his subjects, challenging traditional perspectives and paving the way for future artists. Cézanne’s exploration of geometrical forms and use of color theories connected his work to the broader characteristics of Post-Impressionism.
Paul Gauguin: Paul Gauguin was a French Post-Impressionist painter known for his bold colors, distinct brushwork, and innovative approach to form and symbolism. He sought to capture the essence of his subjects by using vivid color and simplification, moving beyond the naturalism that characterized Impressionism. His works reflect a deep exploration of emotion and spirituality, which distinguishes him as a key figure in Post-Impressionism.
Pointillism: Pointillism is a painting technique developed in the late 19th century, characterized by the application of small, distinct dots of color applied in patterns to form an image. This method emphasizes the optical mixing of colors rather than physically blending pigments on a palette, allowing viewers to perceive a more vibrant and luminous artwork from a distance. The technique is deeply connected to the principles of Post-Impressionism, where artists sought to convey emotion and structure through innovative methods.
Post-Impressionism: Post-Impressionism is an art movement that emerged in the late 19th century as a reaction against the naturalism of Impressionism, focusing on more symbolic content, emotional expression, and the use of vivid colors. It sought to move beyond the fleeting impressions of light and color emphasized by Impressionists, introducing a deeper exploration of form and structure.
Salon des refusés: The salon des refusés, or 'exhibition of rejects,' was an exhibition held in Paris in 1863 to showcase works that had been rejected by the traditional Salon. This event marked a significant turning point in the art world, highlighting the tension between established artistic conventions and the emerging modernist movements.
Starry Night: Starry Night is a renowned oil painting created by Vincent van Gogh in June 1889, depicting a swirling night sky filled with vibrant stars over a tranquil village. This work showcases the defining characteristics of Post-Impressionism, particularly its emphasis on emotional expression, bold colors, and dynamic forms that move beyond mere representation of the natural world.
Subjective interpretation: Subjective interpretation refers to the understanding and analysis of art based on personal feelings, experiences, and perspectives rather than objective criteria. This approach emphasizes the emotional and individual responses of both the artist and the viewer, allowing for a wide range of meanings and interpretations within artworks. In this context, subjective interpretation is a key principle of Post-Impressionism, highlighting how artists moved away from strict realism to explore their personal visions and emotional truths.
Synthetism: Synthetism is an artistic movement that emerged in the late 19th century, characterized by the synthesis of various elements from different sources, particularly in terms of color, form, and subject matter. It aims to convey emotions and ideas through the combination of abstract forms and vivid colors rather than focusing solely on realistic representation, which distinguishes it from earlier movements like Impressionism.
The bathers: The bathers refers to a popular subject in art, particularly in the Post-Impressionist movement, depicting figures engaged in leisure activities around bodies of water. This theme encapsulates a sense of harmony with nature and highlights the relationship between humans and their environment, which is central to the ideals of Post-Impressionism. The bathers often showcase vibrant colors, expressive brushwork, and an exploration of light, reflecting the artists' emotional responses to the scene.
The role of the artist's vision: The role of the artist's vision refers to the unique perspective and creative interpretation that an artist brings to their work, shaping not only the subject matter but also the techniques and styles used. This vision serves as a guiding principle that informs their artistic choices, making each piece a personal expression and commentary on the world around them. In the context of Post-Impressionism, this vision is crucial as artists moved beyond the fleeting impressions of light and color emphasized by Impressionism to explore deeper emotional resonance and symbolism.
Vincent van Gogh: Vincent van Gogh was a Dutch Post-Impressionist painter known for his vivid colors and emotional depth, which profoundly influenced modern art. His innovative style and expressive brushwork reflect the emotional turmoil he experienced in life, establishing him as a pivotal figure in 19th-century art and a precursor to modern expressionism.