Post impressionism

background

• Termed coined by Roger Fry as he readied an exhibit for a gallery in London in 1910

• Lasted from mid 1880’s to early 1900’s• Overlapped with Impressionism and Fauvism

Characteristics

• Exaggerated characteristics from Impressionism. For example: Exploring color variations from light went to brighter, more intense interpretations of color.

• Artworks still stayed true to inherent quality of medium

• Analysis of subjects in terms of shapes/forms• Move from plein air work to varied subjects

Notable artists

• Vincent Van Gogh 1853-1890• Born in Netherlands• Worked for an art dealer• Studied with fellow artists• Battled mental illness off and on• Very close to brother Theo• Took his own life in field• Never recognized during life time

Characteristics of style

• Worked with thick layers of paint: Impasto technique

• Exaggerated colors• Movement created from directional grouping

of brushstrokes• Subjects ranged from scapes to interiors to

portraits to still life

Impact of Impressionism

• http://www.vangoghgallery.com/painting/beforeafter.html

http://www.vangoghgallery.com/catalog/Painting/508/Starry-Night.html

Starry Night

Painted while in an asylum in 1889Swirling brushstrokes create flowing rhythm and keep viewer engagedContrast of cool vs warm colors create path of visual elementsTown is serene with church steeple watching over townLarge brush structure on left is isolated

Café Terrace on the Place du Forum, Arles, at Night, 1888

The Mulberry Tree

*1848-1903 born in Paris*Mother’s side of family=Peruvian royalty*Spent time with family in Lima, Peru *Father died on trip to Peru*Around age 7, returned to France to live with Grandfather*Merchant Marines and Naval service aided his need for travel*Back to Paris as stockbroker, where he met Pissaro and Cezanne*Married: 5 kids*Amateur artist who trained with notable artists*Stock market crash prompted full time art career*Traveled to areas to find “pure” life…non industrialized*Left family in Denmark with relatives*Depression *Dissatisfied with Impressionism moved toward a style critics termed “Cloisonnism”: after enameling technique*Use of religious symbolism married to idealized exoticism

The Vision After The Sermon Aka Jacob Wrestling The Angel

*cloissone technique: almoost outlined with filled areas of color*religious overtones*expressive use of color

Resources

http://arthistory.about.com/od/vangogh/

http://arthistory.about.com/od/modernarthistory/a/Post-Impressionism-Art-History-101-Basics.htm