Fauvism, Cubism, Expressionism: Modern Art Styles

Fauvism: Early 20th Century Art

Fauvism, emerging in the twentieth century, marked great changes in painting. It became more international, embracing abstraction and a degree of dehumanization.

Paris was the most important center.

Painters focused on relevant established themes, employing the autonomy of color. Color use was subjective. Gauguin is considered a precedent for Fauvism.

Matisse is the most representative figure of Fauvism. The term "Fauves" (wild beasts) came from critics reacting to their intense use of color.

In Fauvism, color did not have to be realistic; its use was subjective. The movement was less interested in the topic itself than in the application of color.

Cubism: A Fundamental Avant-Garde

The painter most nationally associated with Cubism was Picasso. The most important antecedent of Cubism was Cézanne. The first fundamental work of the artistic avant-garde movement was Les Demoiselles d'Avignon.

Cubism represents a return to basics; there is no sense of depth. Planes are superimposed. It represents the trafficking of interior space, abandoning chiaroscuro. When we interpret the painting, there is no perspective.

Picasso's Periods and Influences

Picasso was born in Malaga and lived in several places, but primarily France. His work is often divided into distinct periods:

• Blue Period: Blue tones predominate. Paintings from this stage are often melancholic (e.g., The Blind Guitarist).
• Rose Period: Represents hope. Paintings often depict saltimbanques (e.g., Acrobat on the Ball).

Picasso began introducing exoticism, influenced by black sculpture, which is evident in his work Les Demoiselles d'Avignon.

Les Demoiselles d'Avignon

Les Demoiselles d'Avignon is considered the first work of Cubism. It shows the influence of African art, particularly in the deformed faces and geometric figures. It depicts five prostitutes in a brothel. The technique uses large color planes. There is no clear separation between the lines that delineate the figures, no third dimension or depth, and no chiaroscuro. A small still life is included.

Guernica: Symbol of War Horror

Guernica is a symbol of the horror of war. It is an Expressionist work, disjointed and ambiguous. It has no color, using only shades of gray and black. Its theme is the bombing of the town of Guernica by the German Condor Legion.

It was commissioned in 1937 by the Spanish Republic government. Picasso made many preparatory sketches. The composition is arranged in a triangular shape.

Expressionism: Inner Anguish

Expressionism is characterized by a great concern for the internal problems of man (the more distressing, the more poignant). It presents expressions of contemporary anguish. The antecedent is Van Gogh.

Edvard Munch

Munch had a sad childhood. He was influenced by Van Gogh, seen in his distressing brushstrokes (e.g., in paintings like The Scream).

The Scream by Munch

In The Scream, there is a deformed human figure. In the background, there are two people and a Norwegian landscape. The brushstrokes are twisted, and the color is violent and unreal. It is Munch's most famous work and precedes High Expressionism. It is located in Oslo.