Post-Impressionism: Beyond the Surface of Light
Post-Impressionism was a predominantly French art movement that developed between 1886 and 1905. It emerged as a reaction against Impressionists’ concern for the naturalistic depiction of light and color.
The Search for Structure and Emotion
Post-Impressionists continued using vivid colors and thick application of paint, but they were more inclined to emphasize geometric forms, distort form for expressive effect, and use unnatural or arbitrary color.
Key Characteristics
- Subjective Vision: Focusing on the artist’s personal, emotional response to the world.
- Structural Form: A greater emphasis on the underlying shapes and organization of the composition.
- Symbolic Color: Using color to convey meaning and mood rather than just visual reality.
Leading Figures
- Vincent van Gogh: Famous for his expressive, swirling brushwork and emotional intensity.
- Paul Cézanne: Known for his analytical approach to form, which laid the groundwork for Cubism.
- Paul Gauguin: Explored symbolic and “primitive” themes through flat planes of bold color.
- Georges Seurat: Developed Pointillism, a scientific approach to color using tiny dots.