Expressionism and Fauvism are both vibrant and intense art movements that have made a lasting impact on the world. Each of these styles is marked by its bold colors, expressionistic moments and attention to vivid emotions. They are incredibly powerful art depictions that make deep-seated statements and employ interesting techniques to do so. In this article, we’ll explore the ways expressionism and fauvism have been used in the past and how they remain relevant today. Continue reading to learn more about these two captivating art movements.

What Is Expressionism?

Expressionism is an art movement that arose at the start of the 20th century. It all began in Germany, but quickly spread to other parts of the world. Expressionists view the world in an emotional way and express what they see through deformed objects, colors and emotions. Expressionists “emphasize emotions or feelings rather than an objective representation of the ‘real world’”, according to the Khan Academy.

One of the most influential expressionism works of all time is The Scream by Edvard Munch. In this painting, the product of Munch’s real-life anguish at the loss of two of his siblings, a figure is depicted on a bridge under a vibrant and surreal sky. The figure is clearly distressed and likely in an existential crisis, conveying an emotional weight that plays off the color of the environment. This is an example of expressionism in its pure form.

“I felt a big scream pass through nature… and felt the scream in myself.” – Edvard MunchThe Art Story

The style of expressionism is quite accessible and has applications in everything from painting and photography to theater, films and even music. Famous films and musicals such as Cabaret and Evita are all examples of expressionism in action, where emotion is meant to overpower logic and reason.

What Is Fauvism?

Fauvism is also an early 20th-century art movement, but it originates in France rather than Germany. The name comes from the french word for “wild beasts” and was intended to express painters’ wild and untamed approaches to the canvas. Fauvism uses color to convey emotion and distort the real world. This is done by amplifying colors and applying them in a loose and impulsive way. Fauvism emerged as a rebellion against naturalism and expressionism, where painters tried to paint scenes as realistically as possible rather than conveying a feeling through color or paint strokes.

One of the best examples of Fauvism is Henri Matisse’s The Dance. In the painting, several nearly-nude figures can be seen swirling and spinning on a flat plain. But rather than conveying a real scene, Matisse instead chooses to engage with color and emotion. By adding bright colors to the work and twisting the forms and figures, Matisse conveys an emotion of joy, ecstasy and intense movement that could not be achieved through reality.

“I wanted to get back to nature and express my feeling rather than the object in itself” – Henri MatisseThe Matisse Rooms

Fauvism has also been used in theater and architecture. In the 1920s, architect Robert Mallet-Stevens used Fauvism in many of his buildings. He used bold colors, shapes and lines to create a unique atmosphere and make visitors feel a certain way rather than objectively observing their surroundings.

Conclusion

Expressionism and Fauvism are both art movements that use powerful colors, emotions and shapes to convey deeper messages and invoke a response in viewers. By exploring their many applications, it’s possible to get an understanding of what has made them so impactful and long-lasting. We hope this article has provided some insight into these dynamic movements that have both shaped and inspired art from the 20th century onwards.

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Tags: Art Movement, Modern Art

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