Fauvism

byGuest Contributor

Fauvism (pronounced foe-vi-zum) was a revolutionary art movement of the early 20th century that emerged in Paris, France. It was heavily influenced by Post-Impressionism, particularly the use of bold, vibrant colours and expressive brushstrokes. Another key influence was Symbolism, which emphasised an artist’s internal vision and emotional expression over literal representation.

Crockery on a Table by Henri Matisse | Image Source: en.wikipedia.org

Origin of the Term

The term ‘Fauvism’ comes from the French word ‘fauve’, meaning ‘wild beast’. It was first used in 1905, during an exhibition in Paris, where a group of artists presented their radical new paintings. French art critic Louis Vauxcelles, known for his sharp wit, mockingly referred to them as ‘Les Fauves’ (the wild beasts) due to their unrestrained use of bright colours and bold brushwork. The name stuck and became synonymous with this daring artistic style.

The Essence of Fauvism

Colour was the most important element, while the subject matter was secondary.
Instead of using colours to mimic reality, Fauvists used them expressively to convey mood and energy.
Forms were simplified and bold and visible brushstrokes created a dynamic, energetic effect.

In a Fauvist painting, a tree could be blue, the sky orange and a face green—colours were chosen not for accuracy but for their emotional impact. Fauvist artists often applied pure, undiluted paint directly from the tube, creating a sense of explosion on the canvas.

Identifying a Fauvist Painting

Simplified drawing: Fauvist artists used basic, exaggerated shapes to support bold colours.
Unnatural colours: Bright, pure colours were often left unblended to maximise impact.
Flat compositions: Fauvist paintings rarely aimed for depth or perspective; they focussed on vivid, flat areas of colour.
Bold, energetic brushwork: Some areas of the canvas remain unpainted, emphasising movement and spontaneity.
Thick black outlines: Many Fauvist paintings feature dark, defining outlines around objects to add structure.
Contrasting warm and cool colours: To make compositions more vibrant and exciting, artists juxtaposed warm tones (red, yellow, orange) with cool tones (blue, green, violet).

FAMOUS FAUVIST ARTISTS & THEIR WORKS

HENRI MATISSE (1869-1954)

Matisse believed personal expression mattered more than realism.
He painted with flat planes of colour, using brushstrokes and composition to create energy.
His most famous Fauvist painting is ‘The Green Stripe’ (1905), also called ‘Portrait of Madame Matisse’, in which he divided his wife’s face with an unusual green stripe, contrasting warm and cool tones.

HANDRÉ DERAIN (1880-1954)

Derain worked alongside Matisse and experimented with bold colours and strong contrasts.
He painted landscapes with exaggerated, unnatural colours, such as ‘Mountains at Collioure’ (1905) and ‘Charing Cross Bridge’ (1906).

MAURICE DE VLAMINCK (1876-1958)

Vlaminck focussed on intense, dramatic colour contrasts and bold, expressive brushwork.
He was famous for ‘The Seine at Chatou’ (1906), where he used fiery reds and deep blues to convey movement and depth.

Dipika Gurnaney studied at the Sir JJ School of Fine Arts and is a recipient of a scholarship from the Pont Aven School of Contemporary Art in France. Dipika has been teaching children art since 2002.