It’s 1906. Imagine these law-abiding citizens of Northern Europe, who dress well, behave politely and enjoy going to cultural events, like art exhibitions. One Sunday afternoon they put on their hats and tell their coach man to take them to that new art exhibit in the hope of finding edification in high art. They find themselves confronted by this.
André Derain was born near Paris in 1880. He grew up in Victorian clutter, in rooms with flowered wallpaper; velvet tasseled curtains; heavy carved furniture; and gilded this and that. His family was comfortably middle class. He had the means to travel. When he came back from a trip to London, his family and friends must have eagerly awaited nice touristy paintings, like scenic post cards. Instead, he had this to show.
In 1906 nobody knew that this was the art of the future and that 100+ years later people like us would paint our walls white so that nothing would distract us from contemplating the painting.
The critic Louis Vauxcelles called these artists –Derain, Matisse and Vlaminck—“Les Fauves,” which means “the wild beasts.” To be called a wild beast was pretty close to being called an idiot.
Imagine what it took to paint like this at that time. That’s all, just imagine that.
The Fauvist painters:
André Derain, 1880-1954
Henri Matisse, 1869-1954
Maurice de Vlaminck, 1876-1958
P.S. Some of our contemporaries now want to make a quick buck by teaching you a formula: “How to paint Fauvist style.” Such trash! You can find this mindless how-to on Pinterest, for example.
All contents copyright (C) 2010 Katherine Hilden. All rights reserved.
artamaze by Katherine Hilden 