Post-impressionism

Definition

Post-impressionism is an art movement that emerged in the late 19th century, following Impressionism, characterized by a focus on individual expression and a move away from the naturalistic representation of subjects. It is marked by bold colors, expressive brushwork, and symbolic content that convey the artist's emotional response to the world, bridging the gap between Impressionism's emphasis on light and color and the emergence of modern art.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Post-impressionism is not a single style but rather a collection of diverse styles created by artists like Vincent van Gogh, Paul Cézanne, and Georges Seurat, each with their unique approaches.
2. While Impressionists focused on capturing a moment in time with light and color, post-impressionists were more concerned with how they felt about their subjects and often used vivid colors and exaggerated forms.
3. The movement placed significant emphasis on structure and form, with artists like Cézanne believing that art should be constructed as carefully as any other visual object.
4. Post-impressionism paved the way for various modern art movements that followed, influencing expressionism and abstract art through its focus on personal interpretation and emotional depth.
5. The term 'post-impressionism' was coined by art critic Roger Fry in 1910 to describe the work of these artists who moved beyond Impressionism’s limitations.

Review Questions

• How did post-impressionism differentiate itself from Impressionism in terms of artistic goals and techniques?
  • Post-impressionism distinguished itself from Impressionism by shifting focus from capturing fleeting moments of light and color to exploring individual expression and emotional depth. While Impressionists aimed for naturalistic depictions of everyday life, post-impressionists like Van Gogh utilized bold colors and dramatic brushwork to convey their feelings about their subjects. This movement emphasized personal interpretation over objective representation, leading to varied styles that reflected each artist's unique vision.
• In what ways did post-impressionist artists use symbolism to communicate deeper meanings in their work?
  • Post-impressionist artists employed symbolism to convey complex ideas and emotions beyond mere representation. For example, Van Gogh used swirling patterns and vivid colors to express his inner turmoil, while Cézanne's landscapes often hinted at underlying structure and order. This symbolic approach allowed them to explore themes such as isolation, spirituality, or the passage of time, making their artworks resonate on multiple levels with viewers.
• Evaluate the impact of post-impressionism on the evolution of modern art movements that followed it.
  • Post-impressionism significantly influenced the development of modern art movements by challenging traditional notions of representation and encouraging artists to prioritize individual expression. Its exploration of emotional content laid the groundwork for Expressionism, while its focus on abstraction can be seen in later movements like Cubism. The innovative techniques and ideas introduced by post-impressionist artists redefined what art could represent, ultimately shaping the trajectory of 20th-century art.

Related terms

Impressionism:

An art movement that began in the late 19th century, focusing on capturing light, color, and everyday life, often painted en plein air (outdoors) to create a sense of immediacy.

Symbolism:

An artistic movement that sought to express ideas and emotions through symbolic imagery and themes, often focusing on the mystical or the dreamlike.

Pointillism:

A painting technique developed by Georges Seurat, involving the use of small dots of color applied in patterns to form an image, emphasizing optical mixing and the effects of light.