Fauvism was a style of painting that was birthed in 20th-century France. Recognized for it's use of bright, luminous colors, Fauvists used their color selections as a way to convey both emotion while simultaneously creating space, volume, and at times, movement. In and of itself, the Fauvist art wore many different faces while still using the similar techniques and characteristics that make the style what it is.
The Bridge at Le Pecq, André Derain (French, b.1880, d.1954), 1904-1905, From the collection of: Cincinnati Art Museum
This piece by Andre Derain is of a small working town that sits just beside the rode. There are horse drawn carriages and men walking the street. There is also a town that sits off in the distance along the hillside. Derain uses very loose, and rounded lines that help create a sense of depth and definition. The use of colors in this painting are very saturated and at the same time carry a heavy contrast which helps create a vast amount of comparison within the piece.
Garden, Francisco Iturrino, c.1913-1919, From the collection of: Bilboa Museoa. Museo de Bellas Artes de Bilbao
Garden, by Francisco Iturrino is a very simple painting. This is quite simply just a path that appears to be leading into the vegetation of a forested area. A characteristic of Fauvism, this piece uses very bright colors. The flowers along the pathway are especially bright which creates a very apparent contrast between them and the grass that grows beside. The brush strokes are free and seem to run into each other. It almost creates a sense of movement that could suggest a breeze running through garden.
Port of Marseilles, Albert Marquet, 1916, From the collection of: Ohara Museum of Art
This painting overlooks the Port of Marseilles. From the port, the river or lake separates the city that can be seen off in the distant. Albert Marquet paints a simple, but extremely realistic image that uses various Fauvist practices. While this image may be less saturated and less colorful than those prior in this gallery, they still hold true to the same characteristics. The brush stokes are less fine than a piece like this would typically contain. The mountainside off in the distance displays Marquet's ability to use proportion to create depth in this landscape painting.
This image was created by one of the most celebrated Fauvist artists in history. Henri Matisse beautifully creates this simple portrait of a chair and small table sitting beside an open window. This painting simultaneously creates a realistic and abstract feeling through the way it was created. The use of straight lines offset by the curved lines presents a great sense of definition. The color scheme, while bright, is very simple and actually is contrasted by the darker colors, like brown and dark green.
Still Life with Fruit, Marsden Hartley, 1916, From the collection of: Berkshire Museum
Still Life with Fruit is a slightly abstract image. There is a bed of fruit that sits on a tablecloth that lays on what appears to be a table top. Marsden Hartley uses the shapes of the fruits to create a feeling of symmetry, which in general is very pleasing to the eye. In this particular piece, the brights contrast the darks in order to create an emphasis and focus on the key pieces within the image. The background behind the very center of the arrangement is the darkest part of the image which draws more attention to the centerpiece.
Fête Nautique (The Regatta), Raoul Dufy, c.1920-1922, From the collection of: Iwami Art Museum
This Raoul Dufy piece pictures a wild series of events happening as observers look over an endless body of water. It appears as though there are six or seven onlookers as these events take place in the water. There are large ships off in the distance while closer to the shore or the dock there are five-men row boats guiding their vessels. There are countless vibrant colors within this image that create a very saturated piece. The directions of the brush strokes, especially on the water and the sails creates a sense of great movement within the image. With all the congestion amidst the water, there is very limited space which makes for a slightly crowded piece.
Pot of Anemones, Georges Braque, 1925, From the collection of: Dixon Gallery and Gardens
Pot of Anemones by Georges Braque is easily the darkest of the gallery. This lone vase holding nine flowers shows a dark side to the Fauvist art culture. While typically there are bright colors being used, in this piece Braque conveys an emotion by his use of dark color. The flowers are slightly dying which also help to create the mood. There is not much content in this piece but the placement of the book alongside the table or counter helps to give a sense of proportion. The flowers and their arrangement also assist in creating a sense of unity within the piece.
View Through A Window, Nice, Raoul Dufy, ca. 1925, From the collection of: Dixon Gallery and Gardens
Another Raoul Dufy piece, this setting is from within what appears to be a room looking out at the balcony that overlooks the water. There is a table centered in the room with fish and bread rolls which would suggest a meal was occurring. The room looks out upon the water which is home to just one lone ship. Movement within the water is very apparent with the lines and structure used. The repetition of strokes also creates a pattern within the structure of the waves which, in all of its movement and chaos, allows for a sense of unity.
Window Opening on Nice, DUFY, Raoul, 1928, From the collection of: Shimane Art Museum
Much like the last Dufy piece, this one also is from the viewing point of a room that overlooks a body of water. This time however, the shoreline is completely visible. From this point of view, beach goers can be seen, as well as vast amounts of buildings from all different distances. The buildings are all at various distances which creates a great sense of proportion and depth. There is not much movement within the photo but there is an extensive amount of detail, both in the room and outside of it.
Finishing off the collection is another Raoul Dufy painting. This piece is the epitome of Fauvist art. In and of itself the image is simple; a nude women lies asleep beside an all blue canvas. The brush strokes and lines are loose and completely free. Dufy paints both the woman's body as well as the bed she lays on with long loose strokes with touches of short, definition forming accents. The paintings behind her create depth in conjunction with the tiles on the floor. From the bright colors, it could be inferred that this image was painted with a sense of momentary pleasure and admiration for both the woman and the moment with her.
Credits: All media
This user gallery has been created by an independent third party and may not represent the views of the institutions whose collections include the featured works or of Google Arts & Culture.
