Post-impressionism

Definition

Post-impressionism is an art movement that emerged in the late 19th century as a reaction to Impressionism, characterized by a focus on emotional expression, symbolic content, and a departure from naturalistic representation. Artists associated with this movement sought to explore color, form, and line in ways that emphasized personal interpretation rather than the fleeting effects of light and atmosphere that defined Impressionism. This shift in approach led to the development of various styles and laid the groundwork for modern art.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Post-impressionism is not a unified style but rather encompasses a variety of individual approaches, including those of artists like Vincent van Gogh, Paul Cézanne, and Paul Gauguin.
2. This movement placed greater emphasis on the artist's emotional response to subjects, which often resulted in more vibrant colors and exaggerated forms compared to Impressionist works.
3. Unlike Impressionists who often painted outdoors, many post-impressionist artists created their works in studios, allowing for more controlled compositions.
4. Post-impressionism influenced various subsequent movements in modern art, including Fauvism and Expressionism, due to its innovative use of color and abstraction.
5. The term 'post-impressionism' was coined by art critic Roger Fry in 1910 during an exhibition that showcased works from artists who moved beyond Impressionist techniques.

Review Questions

• How did post-impressionism differ from Impressionism in terms of artistic focus and techniques?
  • Post-impressionism differed from Impressionism primarily through its emphasis on emotional expression and symbolic content rather than merely capturing light and momentary impressions. While Impressionists focused on the fleeting effects of light in their outdoor scenes, post-impressionist artists explored color and form with a more personal interpretation. Techniques such as bold brushwork and structured composition were prominent among post-impressionists, contrasting with the softer, more spontaneous approach of their predecessors.
• What impact did post-impressionism have on the development of modern art movements like Fauvism and Expressionism?
  • Post-impressionism significantly impacted the development of modern art movements by introducing innovative uses of color and form that broke away from traditional representation. Fauvism embraced bold, non-naturalistic colors inspired by post-impressionist techniques, while Expressionism built upon the emotional depth and symbolism found in their works. This paved the way for artists to explore abstract concepts and personal expression more freely, influencing countless subsequent styles.
• Evaluate the contributions of key post-impressionist artists such as Vincent van Gogh and Paul Cézanne to the evolution of modern art.
  • Vincent van Gogh's contribution to post-impressionism lies in his expressive use of color and brushwork, which conveyed deep emotion and movement in his paintings. His distinctive style influenced generations of artists by demonstrating how personal experience could shape artistic expression. Paul Cézanne's focus on geometric forms and structural composition marked a transition toward abstraction, laying crucial groundwork for later movements such as Cubism. Together, these artists exemplified how post-impressionism challenged conventional techniques and expanded the possibilities for future art movements.

Related terms

Impressionism:

An art movement that originated in the late 19th century, emphasizing the effects of light and color, often painted en plein air.

Pointillism: A technique developed by Georges Seurat within post-impressionism, using small dots of color applied in patterns to create images.

Symbolism: An artistic movement that sought to represent abstract ideas and emotions through symbolic imagery, closely related to the themes found in post-impressionist works.