Classic Colors: Fauvism

Fauvism (french for "the wild beasts") was a short lived art movement popular in the early twentieth century. Lead by Henry Matisse, the movement was known for its use of color; brash, uncontrolled colors often straight from the tube, and applied using bold brush strokes.

André Derain:The Turning Road, L´Estaque

The artists of Fauvism which included: André Derain, Albert Marquet, Charles Camoin, the Belgian painter Henri Evenepoel, Jean Puy, Maurice de Vlaminck, Henri Manguin, Raoul Dufy, Othon Friesz, Georges Rouault, the Dutch painter Kees van Dongen, the Swiss painter Alice Bailly and Georges Braque; believed in color as the main force behind expressing emotion, and were followers of van Gogh's color ideals, who once said, "Instead of trying to render what I see before me, I use color in a completely arbitrary way to express myself powerfully."

Henri Matisse: Luxe, Calme et Volupté

The movements name was coined during their first group show in 1905 at the salon d'Automne by the critic Louis Vauxcelles. Vauxcelles described the groups work with the phrase "Donatello au milieu des fauves!" meaning, "Donatello among the wild beasts," contrasting the work with the Renaissance-type sculptures that shared their room. That phrase, which was printed in a popular paper of the time the next day, along with other outlandish critic quotes, such as: "A pot of paint has been flung in the face of the public," helped gain attention and bring the groups works into popularity.

Henri Matisse: Woman with a Hat
		Believed to be Matisse's wife, Amelie, the painting was exhibited at the first "Fauves" show in 1905 Salon d'Automne. The painting that was singled out by attacks of the "fauves" It was bought by Gertrude and Leo Stein: this had a very positive effect on Matisse, who was suffering demoralization from the bad reception of his work.

Henri Matisse: Notre Dame in Late Afternoon
		Matisse was viewed as a Fauvist, and his celebration of bright colors reached its peak in 1917 when he began to spend time on the French Riviera at Nice and Vence. Here he concentrated on reflecting the sensual color of his surroundings and completed some of his most exciting paintings.

Kees van Dongen: In the Plaza
		A Dutch painter and one of the Fauves. He gained a reputation for his sensuous, at times garish, portraits.

Kees van Dongen: Woman with Large Hat
		Kees van Dongen was born in Delfshaven, in the suburbs of Rotterdam. In 1892, at age 16, Kees van Dongen started his studies at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Rotterdam. During this period from 1892 to 1897, van Dongen frequented the Red Quarter seaport area, where he drew scenes of sailors and prostitutes.

André Derain: Charing Cross Bridge, London

Maurice de Vlaminck: The_Circus

For more Classic Color inspiration check out:
Classic Colors: Surrealism & Classic Colors: Impressionism