Post-Impressionism

Definition

Post-Impressionism refers to the artistic movement that emerged in the late 19th century as a reaction against Impressionism, emphasizing personal expression and symbolic content. This movement expanded on the ideas of Impressionism while exploring new approaches to color, form, and emotional resonance, leading to diverse styles and philosophies in art.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Post-Impressionism was primarily shaped by artists like Vincent van Gogh, Paul Cézanne, and Paul Gauguin, each contributing unique styles and philosophies that diverged from Impressionism.
2. The movement emphasized the use of vivid colors and brushstrokes to convey emotions, often leading to abstract representations of subjects rather than realistic portrayals.
3. Post-Impressionists explored themes of everyday life and leisure activities, reflecting the societal changes of their time while pushing against traditional artistic boundaries.
4. This movement laid the groundwork for various subsequent movements, including Fauvism and Expressionism, influencing how artists approached color and form in modern art.
5. Post-Impressionism also marked a shift in the role of the artist, as they began to express individual experiences and emotions more explicitly through their work.

Review Questions

• How did Post-Impressionism build upon and react to the principles established by Impressionism?
  • Post-Impressionism built upon Impressionist techniques by incorporating personal expression and symbolic content into their work. While Impressionists focused on capturing fleeting moments with light and color, Post-Impressionists like Cézanne and van Gogh pushed for deeper emotional resonance through bold colors and innovative brushwork. This shift highlighted a move away from mere representation towards a more subjective interpretation of reality.
• In what ways did Post-Impressionist artists challenge traditional artistic conventions and contribute to the evolution of modern art?
  • Post-Impressionist artists challenged traditional conventions by emphasizing individual style and emotional expression over realism. They experimented with color theory, such as complementary colors, to create visual impact, which led to bold compositions. By rejecting strict academic standards of representation, they opened up new avenues for artistic exploration that influenced future movements like Fauvism and Expressionism.
• Evaluate the significance of key Post-Impressionist artists in shaping contemporary perspectives on art and its role in society.
  • Key Post-Impressionist artists such as van Gogh, Cézanne, and Gauguin significantly shaped contemporary perspectives by redefining the role of the artist as an emotional communicator. Their innovative use of color and form encouraged future generations to explore subjective experiences in their art. This evolution reflects broader societal changes as artists began to critique social norms and express individuality, ultimately influencing how art is perceived and appreciated in modern culture.

Related terms

Impressionism:

A 19th-century art movement characterized by a focus on capturing light and color through loose brushwork, often depicting everyday scenes and landscapes.

Synthetism:

An artistic style developed by Paul Gauguin that sought to synthesize form and color while emphasizing emotional content over naturalistic representation.

Expressionism:

An art movement that originated in the early 20th century, focusing on representing emotional experience rather than physical reality, often through bold colors and exaggerated forms.