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Back to List of Articles on Modern Art Movements Comments can be left at the bottom of each articles page. A Brief Introduction to Fauvism

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The group that became known as the Fauves held their first show together in Paris during 1905. Like many names that stick to renowned art groups, it came from an insult made by an art writer (in this instance Louis Vauxcelles writing for the publication 'Gil Blas'), appalled at their lack of refinement. Translated, Fauves means 'wild beasts', and despite its intended derision, both the artists and the public seemed pleased with it, so the name stayed. It was a conclusion many visitors to this, their first exhibition, were bound to come to, particularly as the show shared the same room as a fine Renaissance-like sculpture. Fauvism then, like many art movements around that time, started in France and was shown first in Paris. It is very much seen as a progression from Impressionism.
Fauvist paintings are most recognisable by their bright, vivid, exaggerated colours and often erratic, or at least loose brush work. Not only the colours, but the line was often exaggerated as well, and painted in a style not dissimilar to Impressionism that preceded it. Similarities can also been seen in Pointillism and the work of Van Gogh that also preceded Fauvism. In fact, John Peter Russell who had known Van Gogh, and had first introduced Matisse directly to the vivid works of Impressionism in 1896, actually taught Matisse the following year. When Matisse first saw the Russell's Impressionist works Matisse left saying he couldn't take it anymore. He returned to using his comparatively toned down palette only to return to Russell a year later and enrolled as his student.
Maurice de Vlaminck's roots in Fauvism can also be traced back to Van Gogh. On seeing Van Gogh's work Vlaminck stated that he loved Van Gogh more than his own father. From seeing Van Gogh's work, Maurice de Vlaminck's changed immediately and dramatically towards a style akin to Fauvism. So much so, that he applied paint to the canvas straight from the tube. A way of painting that became popular amongst some of the New York Abstract Expressionists half a century later.
Gauguin and Cézanne must also be credited as major influences on Fauvism.
It wasn't only western art movements that significantly influenced the Fauves. The boldness and line of African three-dimensional work is also apparent, and was an interest of Matisse, Vlaminck and Derain. Vlaminck and Derain shared a studio and worked in London at one point.
Also similar to other art movements, Fauvism first received widespread derision, until a major respected collector decided otherwise, at which point there was a widespread change of opinion. The most prominent collector in this instance was Gertrude Stein. The Stein's bought Matisse's 'Woman with a Hat' that had been most strongly criticised at the groups first exhibition. This must have gone some way to re-building Matisse's confidence, which had been badly hit by the groups harsh reception.
Fauvism only remained active a few years between 1905- 1908, but included major artists such as Henri Matisse, Maurice de Vlaminck, Raoul Dufy, Georges Braque, Georges Rouault and André Derain. Henri Rousseau was not a member of the Fauves, but it often associated with that circle of painters. Despite its brevity and initial ridicule, Fauvism went on to be influential in modernism and twentieth century art, and is also considered the first major western avant-garde art movement of the twentieth century. After Fauvism, many of the artists joined the Cubist style of painting around 1908.
Gustave Moreau, who taught many of the Fauves including Matisse, and who died prior to Fauvism in 1898, was first recognised as the groups leader, but this changed with time, as Matisse's prominence and influence in the group became more apparent.
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