Written by the Fiveable Content Team โข Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 examโขWritten by the Fiveable Content Team โข Last updated September 2025
Definition
Fauvism was an early 20th-century art movement characterized by its use of bold, non-naturalistic colors and simplified forms. Fauvist artists aimed to capture intense emotions through vivid hues rather than realistic representation.
Related terms
Les Fauves: The name given to the group of artists who were associated with Fauvism, including Henri Matisse and Andrรฉ Derain.
Fauvism shares some similarities with Expressionism in terms of using color to evoke emotions, but Fauvist artists focused more on the visual impact of color rather than psychological depth.
Primitivism: Fauvist artists were influenced by non-Western art forms, particularly African masks and sculptures, which they incorporated into their works.