lecture 5 part 2

Fauvist Art Overview

• Fauvism period: 1904 - 1907

• Key aspects of Fauvist art: bright colors, expressive brushwork, and unconventional forms.

Henri Matisse and African Influence

• Matisse's Exploration of African Art:

  • In 1906, Matisse began collecting African objects influenced by French colonialism.

  • He first saw these objects in ethnographic museums before starting his own collection.

  • Matisse perceived African art as having a primal truth and expressive energy.

• Concept of Primitivism:

  • Primitivism: Western artists borrowing from non-Western cultures.

  • Matisse was attracted to the sculptures' non-classical forms and unique aesthetics.

Key Works by Matisse

• Blue Nude: Memory of Biskra (1907):

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  • Created after Matisse's visit to Bisca, North Africa.

  • Elements include:

    • Exaggerated body features (bulbous breasts, pronounced hips).

    • Distorted perspective (misalignment of torso and limbs).

    • Bright blue contour lines emphasizing the figure.

    • Influence from Cezanne’s color and texture used in the work.

• Reclining Nude (1906-1907):

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  • Connected to themes of femininity and sexuality previously explored in paintings like The Joy of Life.

  • Critiqued for its abstraction and unconventional portrayal of the female form.

Gender and Audience Reception

• Matisse's approach pushed beyond traditional depictions of women, focusing on color, line, and form.

• His works were met with mixed reactions; some considered them ugly, to which Matisse agreed, stating that he was not painting a woman but exploring artistic expression.

• Reflection of Broader Themes:

  • Addressed how colonial encounters led to distorted perceptions based on racial differences and stereotypes.

  • Reference to the historical figure "Venus of Hottentot" illustrates the cruelty of such misunderstandings during colonization.

Other Fauvist Artists

• Andre Derain:

  • Charring Cross Bridge London (1906):

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    • Features a stylized depiction of the Thames River and London landmarks.

    • Colors and angles intentionally non-naturalistic, aimed at expressing emotions.

    • Influenced by Seurat’s brushstroke techniques yet distinctively Fauvist.

• George Rouault:

  • Background: Apprenticed as stained glass artist, leading to highly expressive work.

  • Focused on moralistic and emotional themes, often depicting sex workers as critiques of bourgeois society.

  • Prostitute Before a Mirror (1906):

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    • Combines sculptural modeling with emotional contortions.

    • Mocked traditional images of beauty and challenged viewers to see deeper societal issues.

    • Use of blues and loose brushwork indicates emotional depth rather than idealized beauty.

  • Gospel Images:

    • Explored themes of suffering during World War I connecting to historic artwork such as Goya's Disasters of War.

    • Head of Christ (1914-1927):9P

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        A print depicting Christ symbolically representing universal despair amid war.

  • The Old King (1916-1936):

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    • Marks Rouault's mature style with abstract geometrical forms and vibrant colors.

    • Influences from ancient Egyptian art in the portrayal of figures and use of light.

    • Themes of hope for spiritual and societal renewal following World War I.

Conclusion

• Matisse, Derain, and Rouault embody the values of Fauvists in their emotional and color-driven art.

• Transition to German Expressionism will be discussed in the next lecture.