Early 20th Century Art Movements.
Fauvism, Expressionism and Die Brucke were similiar in style.
Fauvism





Sometimes called French Expressionism.
Influnced by Van Gogh and the Post-Impressionists.
Used bright colours to express emotion or subject matter.
Most famous Fauvist – Matisse (early work).
Most fauve artists changed their styles later.
Expressionism



Influnced by Van Gogh, Post –Impressionists Fauvism.
Uses colour and/or line and exaggerated movement to express emotion.
Most famous Expressionist – Edvard Munch (The Scream).
Die Brucke




Often called German Expressionism formed by a group of architecture students.
Most famous for their black and white wood block prints.
Most famous artist- Emil Nolde (Prophet).
Used crude (basic) markmaking.
All these movements were the fore runners to Cubism.
Henri Matisse (1869-1954)
Early work




Main artist with the Fauves.
Famous painting from this period ‘Madame Matisse: The Green Line’ 1905.
Controversy at ‘The Green Line’ because of Matisse’s unusual use of colour – he used warm
colours on one half and cool colours on the other. The green line down the centre of her
face ties the painting together.
Strong use of complementary colours.
Middle period





Style changes from expressive brushwork to smooth, flat areas of colour. His subject matter
continues to be figurative.
Pattern, colour and movement dominte his style.
Work is becoming simplier and becoming more abstract.
Famous painting from this period – ‘La Danse’ 1910.
Quote- ‘What I dream of is an art of balance’.
Late period




Matisse’s had very bad health in his later years. His eyesight detoriated and he often used
assistants to do his work (He instructed them).
Medium -abstract paper cut-out collages.
Colour and pattern still very important.
Quote –‘The paper cut-ou allows me to draw in colour’