lecture 5 part 1

Introduction to the Nabis Movement

• Founding and Influences

  • Founded by Louis Cerousier.

  • Inspired by Paul Gauguin's painting method.

  • Gauguin encouraged students to use pure color and interpret their perceptions through color rather than form.

Paul Sarussier and "The Talisman"

• Significance of the Painting

  • Title: "The Talisman" or "Landscape of the Beau d'amore" (1888).

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  • Characteristics of the painting:

    • Small size and nontraditional color use (water depicted as yellow).

    • Depicts trees, water, reflection, and foliage, but loses the conventional view of a landscape.

    • Uses color to represent forms rather than lines.

• Abstraction and Nonrepresentational Art

  • Movement towards abstraction, creating a sense of the supernatural.

  • Nonrepresentational art: Art that does not resemble the real world.

The Nabis Group

• Meaning of 'Nabi'

  • "Nabi" means prophet in Hebrew, reflecting their view as harbingers of a new artistic approach.

• Artists and Influences

  • Included influences from artists like Seurat, Cezanne, Redon, and Gauguin.

  • Interests in literary themes, theoretical organization, and mystical celebrations.

• Synthesis of Artistic Disciplines

  • Merged various forms of art (painting, architecture, design).

  • Rejected Renaissance illusionism and emphasized the flatness of the painting surface.

Edward Vuillard

• Style and Subject Matter

  • Known for intimate domestic scenes and personal images.

  • Example: "Woman in Blue with Child" (c. 1899).

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    • Depicts a familiar domestic scene with a friend's wife and niece.

    • Features bright colors, heavily patterned backgrounds, and a playful approach to composition.

    • Echoes the decorative with layering of colors and patterns.

Fauvism Movement

• Overview

  • Duration: Roughly 1904 to 1907.

  • Fused Impressionist interests with Post-Impressionist color theory.

  • Group did not form a coherent organization but sought to redefine art.

• Key Characteristics

  • Emphasis on expressive color beyond natural replication.

  • Reaction against traditional artistic values and techniques.

Henri Matisse

• Leader of Fauvism

  • Noteworthy work: "Dinner Table" (1896-1897).

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    • Displayed objects in a traditional setting but utilized colors in unorthodox ways.

    • Critics found it reviling due to its challenging perspective and color application.

• Matisse's Landmark Work

  • "Les Bonheur d'I Verve" (1905-1906).

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    • Engages with traditional art forms yet incorporates vibrant, non-naturalistic colors.

    • Represents sensuality and joy, with figures interacting in a lively landscape.

    • Influences include cave paintings, Ingres, and Art Nouveau.

• Impact and Importance

  • Considered revolutionary in modern art history.

  • Recognized by significant collectors (e.g., Gertrude Stein) which facilitated interactions with other influential artists like Picasso.

Conclusion

• Legacy of the Movements

  • Nabis and Fauvism critically challenged established norms in art, emphasizing color and abstraction, leading to modern art's evolution.