What is Fauvism?

Fauvism was an early 20th century art movement that marked a break from traditional artistic conventions, with a focus on bold colour and emotional expression over realistic representations.

Painters Henri Matisse and André Derain pioneered the use of unnaturalistic colours and vivid brushstrokes, with Matisse’s Open Window, Collioure (1905) being a defining example of Fauvist art through its striking use of colour. Derain’s Charing Cross Bridge, London (1905–1906) further showcases early characteristics of Fauvism with its small, disjointed brushstrokes.

Maurice de Vlaminck brought a more aggressive and energetic approach with his Fauvist landscapes such as The Seine at Chatou (1906), for which he applied paint in thick daubs and swirls to convey movement and intensity. Of his work, Vlaminck shared, ‘I try to paint with my heart and my guts without worrying about style’.

Though this movement featured several prominent artists, Fauvism only lasted a few years before its expressive emotivism was rejected in favour of the structure and logic of styles such as Cubism. Yet Fauvism’s challenge of traditional ideas of realism helped pave the way for later movements that valued abstraction and emotional expression.

Where and when did Fauvism begin?

The first of the Avant-Garde movements, Fauvism emerged in France around 1905, with Fauve painters being the first to break with Impressionism. Matisse and Derain developed the bright Fauvist palette while painting together in Collioure, France.

When their paintings were later exhibited at the Salon d’Automne in Paris, the Fauvist movement gained attention for its radical departure from convention. The surprising use of colour and intense brushstrokes featured in the works shocked the public — critic Louis Vauxcelles described the pieces as being created by ‘fauves’, meaning ‘wild beasts’, which gave the movement its name.

What are the characteristics of Fauvism?

A key feature of Fauvism art is using vibrant colours to express emotion rather than focusing on true depictions. Fauvist artists applied paint energetically, often straight from the tube, with the spontaneity of this textured brushwork being characteristic of the style.

Though the subject matter could be ordinary scenes, such as landscapes and portraits, the artistic freedom and emotional impact of the work was valued over accurate representation.