You'll enjoy viewing your favorite art more if you know more about the broader background of the artist and the specific artwork. For example, if you are interested in 19th and early 20th-century art, you've probably wondered what Impressionism and Post-Impressionism art are meant.
In this article, we'll discuss some of the main characteristics of the two art movements to enable you to distinguish the works of Impressionist painters such as Claude Monet, Edouard Manet, Edgar Degas, and Renoir from Post-Impressionist artists such as Paul Cezanne, Paul Gauguin, Vincent van Gogh, and Georges Seurat.
Definition of Post-Impressionism
Post-Impressionism was a French art movement in the late 1880s/early 1900s. The term "Post-Impressionism" was first used by the English critic and painter Roger Fry for an exhibition of late 19th-century French paintings, drawings, and sculptures in London. Since then, the term has been used to describe artists' reactions in the 1880s against Impressionism.
The Post-Impressionist painters' main "problem" with Impressionism was the Impressionists' naturalistic use of light and color. Paul Cezanne started to break away from the strict Impressionist way of using light and color and is known as the father of Post-Impressionism art. Other movement leaders were Paul Gauguin, Vincent van Gogh, and Georges Seurat. If you're looking for Post-Impressionism reproduction samples, 1st Art Gallery is the perfect place to start.
The emphasis of Post-Impressionists was on abstract qualities and symbolic content. As a result, artists with various styles could fit under the Post-Impressionism umbrella. Styles such as Neo-Impressionism, Cloisonnism, Primitivism, and Pointillism, to mention only a few, are all Post-Impressionism art styles.
It has to be understood that, in principle, Post-Impressionism derived from Impressionism but rejected its limitations. The Post-Impressionist painters kept using vivid colors and real-life subject matter. But unlike the Impressionists, their work is known as famous geometric art, because they emphasized geometric or distorted forms for expressive effect and used unnatural colors.
Difference between Post-Impressionism and Impressionism
Impressionism was an art movement that started in Paris when rapid urbanization occurred. It is the painting style of 19th-century French artists. Impressionist artists put on canvas the life and movement they saw at a specific moment. In addition, they painted their subjective impressions of what they saw. Impressionist artists tried to capture the atmosphere of a scene by using natural light effects.
As mentioned above, the Post-Impressionist painters' main "problem" with Impressionism was the Impressionists' naturalistic use of light and color. Paul Cezanne started to break away from the strict Impressionist way of using light and color and, as mentioned above, is known as the father of Post-Impressionism art. It is worth noting that there are many Impressionism oil painting reproductions available on the market today, as the style remains popular and influential in the art world
The main differences between Impressionism and Post-Impressionism art can be summarized as follows:
- Impressionist artists painted outdoors. Post-Impressionist paintings were done in a studio where the artist painted from memory.
- Post-Impressionist artists used geometric forms with bold borders to depict their subjects, while Impressionist painters used small, thin brushstrokes to give the painting softer edges.
- An Impressionist artist tried to capture the heat of the subject, while a Post-Impressionist painter tried to capture his own emotion and concept of the subject.
Thus, Post-Impressionists expanded Impressionism but rejected its limitations.
Characteristics of Post-Impressionist Art
What is probably the most common "characteristic" of Post-Impressionist art is that although the Post-Impressionist artists were united in one goal, each had their own style. Their shared goal was to push the limits of Impressionism. And in doing that, various characteristics can be found in their works of art despite different styles.
The most obvious characteristics of Post-Impressionist paintings include the following:
- Although Post-Impressionists preferred to use real-life subject matter for their paintings, they depicted the subject matter from their memory or subconscious mind on a canvas.
- The artists attached deep meaning to their subject matter. The viewer of Post-Impressionism art is invited to receive a message from the painting regarding the painter's emotions.
- Post-Impressionist painters were known for their unique and individual exploration of colors and composition. Whether the artist used short, powerful brush strokes like Paul Cezanne or the dotted pointillism technique like Seurat and Signac, the main aim was to depict impressions of the subject on the canvas rather than a realistic image. Despite individual styles, Post-Impressionism is generally characterized by bright colors and sharply outlined edges.
Emotional Symbolism
Post-Impressionist artists believed that art should not revolve around style or processes but that the emphasis should be placed on symbolism. The Post-Impressionist painter communicated an emotional message from his own subconscious to the viewer.
In Post-Impressionist art, the subject matter is not treated as a visual tool but rather as a way to convey feelings. According to the painter Paul Cézanne, a painting is not a work of art if it doesn't begin with emotion. For Post-Impressionist artists like Paul Gauguin and Vincent van Gogh, emotional symbolism and personal meanings were important. They were not interested in depicting the "real" world but instead used their memories and emotions to connect with the viewer on a much deeper level.
Evocative Color
According to the "Collins" dictionary, you describe something as evocative when it is good or interesting and produces pleasant memories, emotions, and responses in people. Evocative color is, in other words, colors that are associated with emotions and people's responses to them. It is often said that color is never just color. Color evokes different moods, and color defines a painting. An artist uses color to create expressive, impactful images.
Impressionists strived to capture the natural light's effect on tonality. Post-Impressionist painters, however, purposely used an artificial color palette with the aim of not using natural light effects. With their evocative color paintings, they portrayed their emotion-driven perceptions of the world they were living in.
Distinctive Brushstrokes
Bright colors and outlined edges characterize Post-Impressionism art, and therefore most Post-Impressionist artists used short choppy brush strokes - similar to Impressionists. They created specific forms with broken colors and short brush strokes.
Paul Cezanne, for instance, worked in the Impressionist style for a while and then broke out into his own style. He used small repetitive brush strokes and depicted his subjects intensely.Most Post-Impressionist pieces feature broad brushstrokes, which add texture and a sense of depth to the artwork. However, the brushstrokes make it clear that it is not intended to be a realistic representation of the subject.
Post-Impressionist Styles
It is difficult to define Post-Impressionism because of the assortment of styles of the different artists who were part of the movement. We'll discuss the different styles in more detail further on in this article. However, to give an indication of the diversity of styles under the Post-Impressionist umbrella, we'll list some of the styles here:
- Pointillism - using dots of color to form an image
- Cloisonnism - bold and flat forms are separated by dark colors
- Japonisme - a technique inspired by Japanese woodblock prints
- Primitivism - borrowed ideas from non-Western or prehistoric people
Pointillism
"Pointillism" is a painting technique. It was developed and used in the 1880s by artists such as Georges Seurat and Paul Signac. In principle, it is dots of color applied in patterns to form an image. The movement using this technique is known as Neo-Impressionism, but Post-Impressionist painters often used the technique. Interestingly, the term "pointillism" was first used by art critics in the late 1880s to ridicule the artists using the technique.
The technique has as a point of departure the ability of the human eye and mind to blend color spots into a full range of tones. Pointillism is focused on a style of brushwork and is in contrast to the traditional methods of blending pigments on a palette. Pointillist colors seem brighter to the viewer than typically mixed colors.
Most Pointillism paintings done by Post-Impressionist artists are in oil paint. Although the Pointillism technique can be used with any type of paint, artists preferred oils for their thickness and tendency not to run or bleed.
Cloisonnism
"Cloisonnism" is a style of painting where bold and flat forms are separated by dark colors. The term "Cloisonnism" was first used by the French art critic Edouard Dujardin in 1888. Many Post-Impressionist painters used this technique. In their popular paintings, they simplified form, and areas of unnatural colors are separated by heavy outlines in style, reminding the viewer of Gothic stained glass. The aim is to express an inner world of emotion.
This art movement of Post-Impressionist painting responded to the Impressionists' preoccupation with the depiction of light. One of the distinctive characteristics of Cloisonnism is the use of pure color areas, almost avoiding shading or 3-D effects. As a result, works done in the Cloisonnism style have a strong two-dimensional appearance. Paul Gauguin's "The Yellow Christ" is one of Cloisonnism's best-known examples.
Japonisme
The French term "Japonisme" refers to Japanese art's popularity in Western Europe and its influence on European artists in the 19th century. Philippe Burty, a well-known art critic and collector during that time, was the first to describe Japonisme in 1872. Japonisme affected all art forms in Western Europe, but the Post-Impressionism visual arts were the most influenced.
In the middle 1860s, Japanese woodblock prints inspired many Post-Impressionist artists. Especially the Post-Impressionist painters were intrigued by the Japanese way of using color and composition. The Japanese foreshortening technique, where an optical illusion causes a distance to appear shorter than it actually is, and their asymmetrical compositions gave the Post-Impressionist artists a new perspective. Many of Vincent van Gogh's works were inspired by Japanese art.
Other Japanese decorative art objects, such as ceramics, were exported worldwide in the middle 1800s and their displays at Western fairs made Japonisme popular with art lovers in general. As a result, art critics and scholars understood the Japanese influence on Western Post-Impressionist art.
Primitivism
Generally speaking, "Primitivism" is used when an artist recreates a "primitive" experience. For example, post-Impressionist artists borrowed ideas from non-Western or prehistoric people whom they perceived to be "primitive." Paul Gauguin's inclusion of Tahitian motifs in his paintings is a good example. These artists usually considered "primitive" peoples as "nobler" than civilized peoples.
Throughout the centuries, primitivism has, from time to time, been reflected in some form in the visual arts. In the 19th century, there was again great interest in primitivism. The invention of the steamboat brought the indigenous cultures, peoples, and artifacts from the colonies into Europe.
Post-Impressionism art borrowed ideas and techniques from these artifacts. Many Western-trained Post-Impressionist painters were fascinated by these "primitive" forms of expression.
They were especially intrigued by the artifacts' absence of linear perspective, their simple outlines, and the use of symbolic signs. Typical of these artifacts were the expressive distortions of the figure and the rhythms resulting from the use of repetitive patterns.
Post-Impressionism Painters and Paintings
If you want to view Post-Impressionist paintings by artist name, you can use this short list of four paintings by some of the movement's leaders as a starting point.
Paul Cezanne
Cézanne produced a series of five paintings called "The Card Players." They focus on a similar subject matter but differ slightly. "The Card Players," painted in 1894/1895, is one of the three canvases depicting only two card players at a table. According to art scholars, it contains "constructive" brushwork.
Cézanne's "The Bathers" is widely regarded as one of the masterpieces of all modern art. The large oil painting depicts a group of naked women relaxing by a lake. Cezanne painted several versions of the subject during his career and spent seven years on the last one. But unfortunately, he couldn't finish it before his death,art lovers can still appreciate his incredible talent through high-quality Paul Cezanne oil painting reproductions for sale at 1st Art Gallery.
Paul Gauguin
"The Yellow Christ" is an example of both Cloisonnism and Symbolism. The painting's subject, the crucified Christ, is evident, but Gauguin depicted the women at the cross in 19th -century clothing. The scene is set in the north of France during the peak season of autumn.
Looking to add a touch of Paul Gauguin's artistic genius to your home? Look no further than 1st Art Gallery's collection of Paul Gauguin oil painting reproductions for sale. Own a high-quality reproduction of his iconic works, including "The Yellow Christ," and experience the beauty of his art firsthand.
Vincent van Gogh
"Starry Night" is one of the best pieces by Vincent van Gogh as a Dutch Post-Impressionist. It is deemed as his magnum opus."Starry Night" is perhaps van Gogh's most famous and recognizable work, and it is considered by many to be his magnum opus. Completed in 1889, the painting depicts a night scene in the small town of Saint-Rémy-de-Provence in France, where van Gogh was living at the time. The painting features a swirling sky of blues and yellows, with a small town nestled in the foreground. The stars in the painting are depicted as bright, swirling orbs, which give the painting a dreamlike quality.Despite its fame, "Starry Night" was not an immediate success. In fact, it was not until many years after van Gogh's death that the painting became widely recognized as a masterpiece. Today, "Starry Night" is one of the most beloved paintings in the world, and it is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art in New York City. Its vivid colors, swirling forms, and dreamlike quality continue to inspire and captivate art lovers around the world.
Conclusion
Impressionism and Post-Impressionism were both art movements during the 19th and early 20th centuries, and both originated in France. In conclusion, it can be said that Post-Impressionist artists expanded Impressionism but rejected its limitations. As a result, Post-Impressionism art includes many styles such as Neo-Impressionism, Cloisonnism, Primitivism, and Pointillism, to only mention a few.