Week 7 Post-Impressionism and Symbolism.p_unlocked
Page 1: Course Introduction
The course titled FVA3104 Western Art from Romanticism to Modernism is instructed by Zhu Yi. Felicia. Classes are scheduled every Monday from 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM, held at venue LKK 102.
Page 2: Art History Timeline
Timeline Breakdown
c. 3000 BC: Ancient Egyptian Art
c. 1000 BC: Classical Art, encompassing Ancient Greek and Roman Art.
Post-Classical Influences:
c. 313 AD: Rise of Romanticism, followed by various artistic movements including Renaissance, Rococo, Realism, Mannerism, and Baroque.
1750 - 1900: Transition to Modernism, marked by movements such as Impressionism, Expressionism, Futurism, and Cubism.
Postmodernism (1970 - 2000) includes Pop Art, Op Art, and the influence of Multiculturalism.
Page 3: Outline of Key Topics
Japonisme
Post-Impressionism and Symbolism:
Vincent van Gogh: Creativity
Paul Gauguin: Shape and Color
Georges Seurat: Scientific Approach to Color
Paul Cézanne's Artistic Evolution
Page 4: Van Gogh and Japonisme
Vincent van Gogh once stated, "In a way, all my work is founded on Japanese art..." illustrating the profound impact of Japanese art on his work. The letter addressed to his brother, Theo Van Gogh, symbolizes Van Gogh's continual search for inspiration in Japanese aesthetics.
Page 5: Understanding Japonisme
Japonisme is a term coined by French critic Philippe Burty in the early 1870s, describing the enthusiastic embrace of Japanese art and design in France following the resumption of trade with Japan in the 1850s after a long period of isolation.
Key characteristics of Japonisme include:
Flatness and stylization in art
Bold and brilliant colors
Realist subject matters
Influential figures include James Abbott McNeill Whistler, Christopher Dresser, and William Godwin, all of whom contributed to this cultural exchange phenomenon.
Page 6: Ukiyo-e Prints
Ukiyo-e translates to "pictures of the floating world," representing the transient nature of existence and focusing on human pleasures. Common subjects depicted include scenes of daily life, entertainment, and beautiful landscapes. A notable artist is Utagawa Hiroshige, whose work embodies these themes.
Page 7 & 8: Hokusai's Iconic Work
Katsushika Hokusai (1760 - 1849) produced the famous woodblock print, Thirty-Six Views of Mount Fuji, famously including The Great Wave Off the Coast of Kanagawa.
This artwork features a dramatic wave about to crash, capturing the power of nature with details such as:
Claw-like waves approaching the viewer.
A gentle gradient in the sky creating a melancholic atmosphere.
Page 9: Édouard Manet
Édouard Manet (1832-1883) focused on modern life with works well-regarded such as Emile Zola, showcasing realistic portrayals that transitioned into modernism, displayed in Musée d'Orsay, Paris.
Page 10: Kuniaki's Sumo Wrestler
An 1860 woodblock print by Utagawa Kuniaki, representing the cultural significance of Sumo wrestling and Japanese traditions.
Page 11: Manet's Olympia
Manet’s Olympia (1863) is a revolutionary piece linking the classical nude with contemporary life, emphasizing realism and bold contrasts.
Page 12: Bathhouse Scene
The Interior of a Bathhouse by Torii Kiyonaga (1752-1815) contrasts with Edgar Degas's The Tub (1886), showcasing flat backgrounds and avant-garde composition styles.
Page 13 to 16: Whistler's Works
James Abbott McNeill Whistler produced significant pieces such as Variations in Flesh Colour and Green - The Balcony, reflecting his intricate approach to color and form.
His painting The Princess from the Land of Porcelain (1863-5) emphasizes the elegance of Japanese aesthetics through detailed attire and interiors, showcasing Western interest in Japanese culture.
Page 17: Post-Impressionism Development
By the 1880s, artists began moving away from the constraints of Impressionism towards a more expressive use of line and color.
Noteworthy Post-Impressionists like Van Gogh and Gauguin emphasized subjective expression, while Seurat and Cézanne adopted analytical techniques, leading to the development of Neo-Impressionism and Synthetism.
Page 18: Roger Fry and Post-Impressionism
Roger Fry's introduction of Post-Impressionism defined a new movement that emphasized artists' emotional expression over mere representation. Exhibitions showcased the divergence from traditional art, influencing future movements like modern art and Cubism.
Page 19: Van Gogh's Expression
Vincent van Gogh utilized vibrant colors and dynamic brushwork to convey emotion and personal struggle, portrayed in pieces like The Bedroom and The Night Café.
Page 20 to 28: Van Gogh's Works and Techniques
Through works such as The Starry Night and Terrace of a Café at Night, Van Gogh expressed his psychological turmoil and brilliance through innovative color application and visible brushstrokes, presenting unique perceptions of everyday scenes.
Page 29 to 32: Paul Gauguin's Approach
Paul Gauguin, like Van Gogh, focused on the expressive qualities of color, emphasizing subjective expression over realism. His artwork, such as Where Do We Come From? What Are We? Where Are We Going?, combined Western techniques with symbolic themes from Tahiti and beyond.
Page 33 to 36: Seurat and Color Theory
Georges Seurat pioneered the Pointillism technique, combining systematic color applications with social commentary. His iconic piece, A Sunday on La Grande Jatte, showcases his innovative techniques and attention to societal dynamics.
Page 37 to 46: Cézanne's Evolution
Paul Cézanne connected with Impressionism before establishing clarity and structure in visual representation. His works like Still Life with Apples and Mont Sainte-Victoire demonstrate his unique approach to form, depth, and abstraction, foreshadowing Cubism.
Page 50 to 52: Course Schedule and Exam Format
Upcoming Evaluation Details
Test 1 on March 11 covering various topics with a closed-book format (20%)
Group presentations scheduled for the same day, encouraging collaborative exploration of artistic concepts.
Key Features of Impressionism and Post-Impressionism
Impressionism focuses on visible brushstrokes and light, capturing modern life.
Post-Impressionism emphasizes individual expression and varied artistic styles, moving beyond realism.