Post - Impressionism (1880)
Influences
Post - Impressionists based all their ideas and principles on the impressionism movement, meaning they were also influenced by the use of pure, bright colours the Impressionists used. Artists however began to develop as the Japanese wood block prints emerged in Paris, influencing the impressionists use of bright, bold colours and strong black outlines.
Aims/ Intention
Although Post-Impressionism was influenced heavily by the Impressionists, artists during this time was quite different and focused heavily on the artwork's thoughtful presentation of the subject matter. They were interested much more in the emotional use of colour and creation of pattern in their artworks, contrasting their artwork to the impressionists with bright, vivid and unrealistic colours.
Characteristics
Identical to the Impressionists, Post-Impressionists continued to paint outside of their studio and painted the every day life, common people, landscapes, seascape and cafe scenes but in a personally expressive manner. Colour was not used realistically but instead was used to represent moods or emotions felt by the artist themselves. Strong, black outlines around an object was introduced by the Japanese wood block prints inspiring the Post-Impressionists. Flat application of distinctive brushstrokes of colour was used as decorative, bright, vivid and often unnatural colours was used to convey a mood. Various techniques were used by different artists, giving each artist's own distinct individuality, for example:
Vincent Van Gogh - His brush marks are often referred to as short and emotion filled, while recoding heightened emotional states. Applied paint freely in multidirectional, visible manner- a sense of energy.
Paul Gauguin - Uses bright unrealistic colours influenced by the Japanese and Medieval stain glass. Subject matter depicted Tahitian and peasants in Brittany. Applied paint in a bold manner.
Influences
Paul Cezanne - Painted still-life compositions and landscapes. Used a methodical application
Georges Seurat - Methodically applied paint in tiny dots side by side, known as pointillism. Used broken colour technique.
Post - Impressionists based all their ideas and principles on the impressionism movement, meaning they were also influenced by the use of pure, bright colours the Impressionists used. Artists however began to develop as the Japanese wood block prints emerged in Paris, influencing the impressionists use of bright, bold colours and strong black outlines.
Aims/ Intention
Although Post-Impressionism was influenced heavily by the Impressionists, artists during this time was quite different and focused heavily on the artwork's thoughtful presentation of the subject matter. They were interested much more in the emotional use of colour and creation of pattern in their artworks, contrasting their artwork to the impressionists with bright, vivid and unrealistic colours.
Characteristics
Identical to the Impressionists, Post-Impressionists continued to paint outside of their studio and painted the every day life, common people, landscapes, seascape and cafe scenes but in a personally expressive manner. Colour was not used realistically but instead was used to represent moods or emotions felt by the artist themselves. Strong, black outlines around an object was introduced by the Japanese wood block prints inspiring the Post-Impressionists. Flat application of distinctive brushstrokes of colour was used as decorative, bright, vivid and often unnatural colours was used to convey a mood. Various techniques were used by different artists, giving each artist's own distinct individuality, for example:
Vincent Van Gogh - His brush marks are often referred to as short and emotion filled, while recoding heightened emotional states. Applied paint freely in multidirectional, visible manner- a sense of energy.
Paul Gauguin - Uses bright unrealistic colours influenced by the Japanese and Medieval stain glass. Subject matter depicted Tahitian and peasants in Brittany. Applied paint in a bold manner.
Influences
Paul Cezanne - Painted still-life compositions and landscapes. Used a methodical application
Georges Seurat - Methodically applied paint in tiny dots side by side, known as pointillism. Used broken colour technique.
Sample Essay: Self portrait with Bandaged Ear by Vincent Van Gogh (Subject Matter Essay)
Vincent Van Gogh’s “Self-portrait with bandaged ear” 1889 is an oil on canvas that depicts an emotional and yet endearing composition through the sombre facial expression and the captivating eyes, capturing a poignant and dejected moment,
Through the fierce and penetrating green eyes, Van Gogh draws attention despite the lack of eye contact implying a shameful and agonising experience of Van Gogh’s life. His head is slightly turned, allowing the audience to view the bandage, a shameful acceptance of his horrific act of self mutilation. The use of green an pallid yellow unifies the figure with the background, and through the manipulation of monotone and repetitive brushstrokes, Van Gogh creates a dull, empty and yet emotional composition, inspired by his own depressive life.
The thick and intense colour, applied on the coat, is utilised to create an overwhelming and heavy atmosphere, forming emphasis on the immensity of the weight surrounding the figure. In this composition the coat is seemingly perceived as a confinement of Van Gogh’s thoughts and emotions, experienced throughout his life, almost as though the coat has given him a sense of security and comfort. From the rough and undirected strokes of paint used on the hat’s fur, Van Gogh implies an almost intense explosion confined within his unstable mind.
The blank and vacant canvas positioned behind Van Gogh, suggests he has no motivation left to paint nor words to express his emotions through creative compositions; a feeling of insignificance and shame as an artist. In contrast, the Japanese woodblock is visually energetic and jubilant though the use of a bright colour palette, conflicting with the gloomy atmosphere; it is a lost paradise the Van Gogh had aspired, a life of beauty, love and simplicity. The slightly ajar door creates a sense of a probability of escape from his depression, a world of opportunities, a ray of hope for succession in the future.
Through the fierce and penetrating green eyes, Van Gogh draws attention despite the lack of eye contact implying a shameful and agonising experience of Van Gogh’s life. His head is slightly turned, allowing the audience to view the bandage, a shameful acceptance of his horrific act of self mutilation. The use of green an pallid yellow unifies the figure with the background, and through the manipulation of monotone and repetitive brushstrokes, Van Gogh creates a dull, empty and yet emotional composition, inspired by his own depressive life.
The thick and intense colour, applied on the coat, is utilised to create an overwhelming and heavy atmosphere, forming emphasis on the immensity of the weight surrounding the figure. In this composition the coat is seemingly perceived as a confinement of Van Gogh’s thoughts and emotions, experienced throughout his life, almost as though the coat has given him a sense of security and comfort. From the rough and undirected strokes of paint used on the hat’s fur, Van Gogh implies an almost intense explosion confined within his unstable mind.
The blank and vacant canvas positioned behind Van Gogh, suggests he has no motivation left to paint nor words to express his emotions through creative compositions; a feeling of insignificance and shame as an artist. In contrast, the Japanese woodblock is visually energetic and jubilant though the use of a bright colour palette, conflicting with the gloomy atmosphere; it is a lost paradise the Van Gogh had aspired, a life of beauty, love and simplicity. The slightly ajar door creates a sense of a probability of escape from his depression, a world of opportunities, a ray of hope for succession in the future.