lecture 3 part 3

Post-Impressionist Artists

Paul Gauguin

  • Art Philosophy

    • Sought a "physicist of form and color" derived from dominant elements.

    • Emphasized abstraction over realistic depictions of nature.

    • Aimed to blend subjects’ ideas with color and form to convey invisible meanings and emotions.

  • Interest in Primitivism

    • Drawn to primitive art, viewing non-Western, pre-industrial societies as more authentic and pure.

    • Primitivism explores the charm of simplicity and resistance to progress, but also carries negative connotations of exploitation linked to colonialism.

  • Artwork Example: "Vision After the Sermon" (1888)

    • Reflects Gauguin's primitivism through style and subject matter; depicts Breton Peasants' interpretation of Jacob wrestling with an angel.

    • Utilizes arbitrary color (e.g., red background) and strong line work to draw the viewer's focus.

    • Influenced by Japanese art, notably Utagawa Hiroshige's print with similar coloring and cropping.

  • Later Years in Tahiti

    • Moved to Tahiti seeking a truly "primitive" experience; disillusioned by Western influences on native culture.

    • His lifestyle in Tahiti included marrying underage girls.

    • Disease spread by Gauguin exemplifies the darker aspects of colonization.

  • Artwork Example: "Where Do We Come From? What Are We? Where Are We Going?" (1897)

    • Captures Gauguin's vision of Tahiti's primitive society, utilizing tropical landscapes with symbolic figures reflecting life and death.

    • Incorporates various cultural influences, such as elements inspired by Rembrandt and Peruvian mummies, and features the Tahitian deity Hina and Buddhas.

Vincent van Gogh

  • Artistic Style and Life

    • Known for expressing personal emotions through distorted forms and vibrant colors.

    • Lived a troubled life, died at 37; debates surround circumstances of his death.

  • Artwork Example: "The Night Café" (1888)

    • Exhibits intense colors to provoke feelings of foreboding; aggressive perspective gives a sense of entrapment.

    • Figure possibly represents Van Gogh, emphasizing loneliness amidst a communal yet isolating atmosphere.

  • Most Famous Work: "Starry Night" (1889)

    • Painted during time in asylum; view reflects his emotional state rather than literal reality.

    • Incorporates Dutch elements, suggests deep personal connection to heritage amidst feelings of hopelessness.

    • Cypruss tree symbolizes eternal life, while bright stars reflect Van Gogh’s belief in the transference of souls to the heavens, blending gloom with a sense of hope.