8.4 Post-Impressionism

Post-Impressionism emerged as artists sought to move beyond Impressionism's focus on light and color. This movement aimed to capture deeper meanings and personal interpretations, incorporating emotional and symbolic elements into artwork.

Key figures like Cézanne, Van Gogh, Seurat, and Gauguin developed unique styles that emphasized structure, expressive color use, and symbolic representation. Their work laid the foundation for many early 20th-century avant-garde movements.

Origins of Post-Impressionism

• Post-Impressionism emerged as a significant artistic movement during the Modern Period, bridging the gap between Impressionism and early 20th-century art
• This movement sought to expand upon Impressionist techniques while incorporating more emotional and symbolic elements into artwork
• Post-Impressionist artists aimed to capture deeper meanings and personal interpretations of their subjects, moving beyond mere visual perception

Reaction to Impressionism

Top images from around the web for Reaction to Impressionism

• 

  Harlequin (detail) by Paul Cezanne | Post-Impressionism | Mike Steele | Flickr View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Post-Impressionism – Introduction To Art View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Harlequin (detail) by Paul Cezanne | Post-Impressionism | Mike Steele | Flickr View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Post-Impressionism – Introduction To Art View original

  Is this image relevant?

1 of 2

Top images from around the web for Reaction to Impressionism

• 

  Harlequin (detail) by Paul Cezanne | Post-Impressionism | Mike Steele | Flickr View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Post-Impressionism – Introduction To Art View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Harlequin (detail) by Paul Cezanne | Post-Impressionism | Mike Steele | Flickr View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Post-Impressionism – Introduction To Art View original

  Is this image relevant?

1 of 2

• Developed as a response to the perceived limitations of Impressionist focus on light and color
• Sought to reintroduce structure, form, and emotional depth to paintings
• Emphasized the artist's subjective vision and interpretation of reality
• Incorporated symbolic and expressive elements to convey deeper meanings
• Explored new ways of representing three-dimensional space on a two-dimensional canvas

Late 19th century context

• Emerged during a period of rapid industrialization and social change in Europe
• Influenced by advancements in scientific understanding of color theory and optics
• Coincided with the rise of symbolism in literature and other arts
• Reflected growing interest in non-Western art forms (Japanese prints, African sculptures)
• Developed alongside new philosophical ideas about perception and reality

Key Post-Impressionist artists

• Post-Impressionism encompassed a diverse group of artists who each contributed unique styles and techniques to the movement
• These artists shared a common desire to move beyond Impressionism while retaining some of its core principles
• Their work laid the foundation for many of the avant-garde movements that would follow in the early 20th century

Paul Cézanne

• Known as the "father of modern art" for his innovative approach to form and perspective
• Focused on creating a sense of volume and structure through careful arrangement of color planes
• Developed a technique of building up forms using small, parallel brushstrokes
• Explored the relationship between geometric shapes and natural forms
• Key works include "Mont Sainte-Victoire" series and "The Bathers"

Vincent van Gogh

• Dutch artist known for his emotionally charged paintings and distinctive brushwork
• Used vibrant colors and expressive brushstrokes to convey intense feelings and inner turmoil
• Focused on capturing the spiritual essence of his subjects rather than their exact appearance
• Produced over 2,100 artworks in just over a decade, including 850 oil paintings
• Famous works include "The Starry Night," "Sunflowers," and "The Potato Eaters"

Georges Seurat

• Developed the technique of Pointillism, using small dots of pure color to create images
• Applied scientific color theory to his work, aiming for a more systematic approach to painting
• Focused on creating harmonious compositions through careful arrangement of forms and colors
• Explored the optical effects of color juxtaposition and visual perception
• Best known for "A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte"

Paul Gauguin

• Pioneered the use of non-naturalistic colors and simplified forms in his paintings
• Sought to capture the "primitive" essence of his subjects, particularly in Tahiti and the Marquesas Islands
• Developed the style of Synthetism, combining observed reality with memory and imagination
• Influenced by Japanese prints and medieval stained glass in his use of flat color areas
• Notable works include "Vision After the Sermon" and "Where Do We Come From? What Are We? Where Are We Going?"

Characteristics of Post-Impressionism

• Post-Impressionism encompassed a wide range of individual styles united by common principles
• The movement sought to balance objective observation with subjective interpretation
• Artists emphasized personal expression and symbolic meaning in their work
• Post-Impressionist techniques laid the groundwork for many 20th-century art movements

Emphasis on structure

• Focused on creating a sense of solidity and form in contrast to Impressionist fluidity
• Used geometric shapes and clearly defined outlines to construct compositions
• Explored the underlying structure of natural forms (mountains, trees, human figures)
• Emphasized the arrangement of pictorial elements to create balanced compositions
• Cézanne's work particularly exemplified this approach, influencing later Cubist artists

Symbolic color use

• Moved away from naturalistic color representation towards expressive and symbolic use of color
• Used color to convey emotions, ideas, and spiritual concepts
• Explored the psychological and emotional effects of different color combinations
• Van Gogh's use of yellow in "The Yellow House" to convey warmth and comfort
• Gauguin's non-naturalistic color choices in his Tahitian paintings to evoke exotic atmosphere

Emotional expression

• Prioritized conveying the artist's inner feelings and perceptions over objective reality
• Used distorted forms, intense colors, and expressive brushwork to communicate emotions
• Explored themes of anxiety, alienation, and spiritual searching in their work
• Van Gogh's turbulent skies in "The Starry Night" reflecting his emotional state
• Munch's "The Scream" as a powerful expression of existential anxiety

Geometric forms

• Incorporated simplified geometric shapes to represent natural forms and figures
• Used geometric structures to create a sense of order and stability in compositions
• Explored the relationship between two-dimensional shapes and three-dimensional forms
• Cézanne's reduction of natural forms to cylinders, spheres, and cones
• Seurat's use of geometric shapes to organize his Pointillist compositions

Techniques and styles

• Post-Impressionist artists developed a variety of innovative techniques to achieve their artistic goals
• These techniques often combined scientific color theory with expressive and symbolic elements
• Many of these styles laid the groundwork for later avant-garde movements in the 20th century
• Post-Impressionist techniques emphasized the materiality of paint and the artist's hand in creation

Pointillism

• Developed by Georges Seurat and Paul Signac
• Involved applying small dots or points of pure color to create images
• Based on scientific theories of optical color mixing
• Aimed to create luminous effects through the juxtaposition of complementary colors
• Required meticulous planning and execution to achieve desired visual effects

Cloisonnism

• Characterized by flat areas of color surrounded by dark outlines
• Inspired by medieval stained glass and Japanese woodblock prints
• Emphasized the two-dimensional nature of the canvas
• Used by artists like Gauguin and Émile Bernard
• Created a bold, graphic quality in paintings (Gauguin's "The Yellow Christ")

Synthetism

• Developed by Paul Gauguin and the Pont-Aven school
• Combined observed reality with memory and imagination
• Used simplified forms and non-naturalistic colors to express ideas and emotions
• Emphasized the synthesis of visual perception, memory, and emotion in art
• Sought to capture the essence or idea of a subject rather than its exact appearance

Expressive brushwork

• Characterized by visible, energetic brushstrokes that convey emotion and movement
• Used thick application of paint (impasto) to create texture and depth
• Varied brush techniques to create different effects (short, choppy strokes vs. long, flowing ones)
• Van Gogh's swirling brushstrokes in "The Starry Night" exemplify this technique
• Allowed artists to infuse their paintings with a sense of energy and personal touch

Themes in Post-Impressionist art

• Post-Impressionist artists explored a wide range of subjects, often imbuing them with personal and symbolic meaning
• These themes reflected both the artists' inner worlds and the changing social and cultural landscape of the late 19th century
• Many Post-Impressionist works combined multiple themes, creating complex and layered meanings
• The choice of themes often reflected the artist's personal philosophy and worldview

Nature and landscapes

• Depicted natural scenes with a focus on emotional and spiritual qualities
• Used landscape elements as symbols for human emotions or ideas
• Explored the relationship between humans and nature
• Cézanne's repeated paintings of Mont Sainte-Victoire
• Van Gogh's wheat fields and cypress trees as expressions of spiritual themes

Portraiture and self-portraiture

• Used portraits to explore psychological depth and inner states
• Experimented with non-naturalistic color and distorted forms in portraiture
• Created numerous self-portraits as a means of self-exploration
• Van Gogh's series of self-portraits reflecting his changing emotional states
• Gauguin's "Self-Portrait with Halo" combining self-portraiture with symbolism

Symbolism and allegory

• Incorporated symbolic elements to convey complex ideas and emotions
• Used color, form, and composition to create allegorical meanings
• Drew inspiration from literature, mythology, and personal experiences
• Gauguin's "Vision After the Sermon" depicting a Biblical scene with symbolic elements
• Redon's symbolic flower paintings exploring themes of life, death, and spirituality

Everyday life scenes

• Depicted ordinary scenes and people, often with a focus on rural or working-class subjects
• Imbued everyday scenes with deeper emotional or symbolic significance
• Explored the beauty and dignity in common objects and activities
• Van Gogh's paintings of peasants and laborers (The Potato Eaters)
• Toulouse-Lautrec's scenes of Parisian nightlife and entertainment

Influence on modern art

• Post-Impressionism served as a crucial bridge between 19th-century art and the modernist movements of the 20th century
• The innovations of Post-Impressionist artists paved the way for more radical experimentation in form, color, and subject matter
• Many 20th-century artists directly cited Post-Impressionists as major influences on their work
• The movement's emphasis on subjective vision and emotional expression continued to resonate throughout modern art

Cubism and Fauvism

• Cézanne's exploration of geometric forms and multiple perspectives influenced Cubism
• Post-Impressionist use of non-naturalistic color paved the way for Fauvism
• Picasso and Braque cited Cézanne as a key influence in developing Cubism
• Matisse's Fauvist works built on Van Gogh's expressive use of color
• Both movements further abstracted form and color from observed reality

Expressionism

• Post-Impressionist emphasis on emotional expression directly influenced German Expressionism
• Van Gogh's intense colors and brushwork inspired Expressionist painters
• Munch's work bridged Post-Impressionism and Expressionism
• Expressionists further intensified the use of distortion and non-naturalistic color
• The movement expanded on Post-Impressionist ideas of art as emotional and spiritual expression

Abstract art development

• Post-Impressionist experimentation with form and color laid groundwork for abstraction
• Kandinsky cited Post-Impressionist works as inspiration for his move towards abstraction
• Mondrian's early work showed Post-Impressionist influence before moving to pure abstraction
• The emphasis on the flatness of the canvas in some Post-Impressionist works influenced abstract painters
• Post-Impressionist ideas about color relationships continued to inform abstract color theory

Major Post-Impressionist works

• These iconic paintings exemplify the diverse styles and approaches within Post-Impressionism
• Each work demonstrates the artist's unique vision and technical innovations
• These paintings have become cultural touchstones, influencing subsequent generations of artists
• The works showcase the range of themes and subjects explored by Post-Impressionist artists

Starry Night by van Gogh

• Painted in 1889 while Van Gogh was in an asylum in Saint-Rémy-de-Provence
• Depicts a night scene with swirling clouds, bright crescent moon, and shining stars over a sleeping village
• Combines observed elements with imagination and emotional expression
• Uses bold colors and expressive brushstrokes to create a sense of movement and energy
• Symbolizes Van Gogh's inner turmoil and search for cosmic order

The Card Players by Cézanne

• Series of five paintings created in the early 1890s
• Depicts peasant men playing cards, focusing on the structure and form of the figures
• Uses muted colors and careful composition to create a sense of stillness and concentration
• Demonstrates Cézanne's interest in geometric forms and multiple perspectives
• Influenced later Cubist explorations of form and space

Where Do We Come From? What Are We? Where Are We Going? by Gauguin

• Large-scale painting created in 1897-98 during Gauguin's time in Tahiti
• Explores fundamental questions of human existence through allegorical figures and symbols
• Uses non-naturalistic colors and simplified forms characteristic of Gauguin's mature style
• Incorporates elements of Tahitian culture and mythology
• Represents Gauguin's philosophical and spiritual explorations in his later career

A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte by Seurat

• Massive painting completed in 1886 after two years of work
• Depicts Parisians relaxing in a park using Seurat's Pointillist technique
• Composed of tiny dots of pure color that blend optically when viewed from a distance
• Combines rigorous scientific approach to color with careful composition and social observation
• Considered a masterpiece of Neo-Impressionism and a landmark of Post-Impressionist art

Legacy of Post-Impressionism

• Post-Impressionism's influence extended far beyond its immediate timeframe, shaping the course of 20th-century art
• The movement's ideas about subjectivity, expression, and the nature of artistic representation continue to resonate in contemporary art
• Post-Impressionist works have become some of the most recognizable and beloved images in Western art history
• The movement's legacy includes both its artistic innovations and its challenge to traditional notions of what art could be

Impact on 20th century art

• Provided foundation for many avant-garde movements (Fauvism, Cubism, Expressionism)
• Influenced development of abstract art through exploration of form and color
• Encouraged artists to prioritize personal vision over strict adherence to observed reality
• Expanded the possibilities of what could be considered legitimate subject matter for art
• Techniques like Pointillism influenced later Op Art and color field painting

Critical reception over time

• Initially met with mixed reactions from critics and public
• Gradually gained recognition and appreciation in early 20th century
• Post-Impressionist artists (Van Gogh, Cézanne) achieved posthumous fame and influence
• Critical understanding evolved to recognize the movement's importance in art history
• Contemporary scholarship continues to explore nuances and contexts of Post-Impressionist work

Post-Impressionism in museums

• Major museums worldwide feature significant collections of Post-Impressionist art
• Post-Impressionist works often among most popular and recognizable pieces in museum collections
• Museums have played key role in shaping public understanding and appreciation of the movement
• Special exhibitions continue to draw large crowds and generate new scholarship
• Conservation efforts focus on preserving these important works for future generations

Post-Impressionism vs Impressionism

• While Post-Impressionism grew out of Impressionism, it diverged in significant ways
• Post-Impressionists sought to address perceived limitations of Impressionism while retaining some of its innovations
• The relationship between the two movements was complex, with some artists working in both styles
• Understanding the differences between Post-Impressionism and Impressionism helps contextualize the development of modern art

Subject matter differences

• Post-Impressionists expanded beyond Impressionist focus on fleeting effects of light and atmosphere
• Incorporated more symbolic and allegorical subjects (Gauguin's Tahitian paintings)
• Explored psychological and emotional themes more explicitly
• Included a wider range of subject matter, including imaginary scenes and religious subjects
• Often imbued everyday scenes with deeper symbolic or emotional significance

Technique comparisons

• Post-Impressionists often used bolder, more arbitrary colors than Impressionists
• Emphasized structure and form more than atmospheric effects
• Developed new techniques like Pointillism and Cloisonnism
• Used more visible brushstrokes and thicker application of paint in some cases
• Explored flattening of pictorial space in contrast to Impressionist depth

Philosophical approaches

• Post-Impressionists emphasized subjective vision and personal interpretation
• Sought to convey emotional and spiritual truths beyond visual appearance
• Explored symbolic and expressive use of color and form
• Often incorporated ideas from non-Western art and culture
• Focused more on the artist's inner world and less on objective observation of nature