Post-Impressionism Notes.DOCVIP

POST-IMPRESSIONISM BACKGROUND Meaning of the movement Not a united, easily defined movement Each Post-Impressionist worked in a different manner Grouped together because they worked after the Impressionists (1870s – 1880s) More than Impressionism Impressionism based on capturing a moment in time Used short-choppy brushstrokes in order to work quickly Interested in the momentary effects of light on color (once light changes, the moment is lost and the colors will be different) Paintings often have cropped edges (people will be cut-off at the sides) – adds to the momentary feeling of the painting Post-Impressionists were influenced by Impressionism but believed it had its shortcomings Impressionists painted only what they saw – limited to reproducing nature – WHAT ABOUT PAINTING WHAT IS IN THE ARTIST’S MIND? Post-Impressionists influenced by Japanese woodblock prints like Impressionists (Great Wave off Kanagawa) Impressionists used short choppy brushstrokes, looks somewhat realistic from a distance, but close-up, the paintings lack solid lines and the colors dematerialize into the brushstrokes Post-Impressionists wanted painting to be more Restore the formal qualities of art – color and line Paintings will be flatter looking (less chiaroscuro) and have harder outlines Objects and figures will have more solid shapes rather than dematerializing as in Impressionist paintings KEY POST-IMPRESSIONISTS Henri Toulouse Lautrec Nicknamed “mini-Degas” – many similarities (horse racing, nightclub scenes) Influenced by Japanese woodblock prints – cropped edges, informal moments, flat qualities, spatial diagonals and asymmetrical compositions Deformed – broken legs as boy – atrophied legs, 5 foot tall – normal upper body, stubby legs, big head Alcohol, drugs, and prostitutes: the demimonde Rejected aristocratic background (Counts of Toulouse) to indulge in Paris nightlife in Montmartre : Self-exile from high-society Paintings usually show nightclub scenes Fac