Henri Matisses Fauvism - Research Paper Example

Henri Matisse’s Fauvism Sara Qurainawi English Comp 2 June1, Introduction The best way for one to understand a given society is by looking at the art and literature that society provides. For instance, identification of the Baroque styles enables one to know what used to take place in the 17th century. Rococo and Neo-Classical on the other hand were the styles of the 18th century. Just like the 17th and 18th century, the 19th century is also characterized by Romantic and Realistic styles. The artists of the 20th century also enable one to know more about that century. The challenging issue with the 20th century however is the occurrence of diverse styles and movements during that time. In connection to this, the paper aims at providing detailed information on the fauvism movement that took place in 20th century. It will also expound on the social, economic and political issues of that period. Biography of Henri Matisse Henri Matisse was born at night in late December 1869 in Le Cateau-Cambresis, a textile town in the extreme north of France. The house in which he was born had two rooms with not only beaten earth floor, but also a leaky roof, a reason as to why he was rained on when he was born. The place of his birth had also inhabited his ancestors before emergence of social and industrial challenges in the nineteenth century. Matisse underwent growth and development in a world that was resistant to change (Matisse Organization, 2011). During the time his birth, the railway had been invented. However, most people travelled in all places on foot or horseback. Emile Hippolyte Matisse was his father whereas Anna Heloise Gerald was his mother (Resource Manuals, 2014). Hippolyte was a grain merchant by profession whereas Heloise belonged to a lineage of tanners. As the first born to the couple, he received significant support from them; his parents’ support enabled him grow to the age of ten when he joined St. Quentin for Lycee. The involvement of his mother in advising customers on the best colors in his father’s shop that sold house-paints is what made him develop some interest on color. Thus, it was from his mother that he developed the sense of color. This is also justified by her mother who was not only a skillful painter, but also a fashionable artist (Resource Manuals, 2014). Unfortunately, Matisse grew as an awkward youth who disregarded the rigors of the North. He despised winter seasons with passion. He was also a contemplative child though not very bright. Despite undergoing growth and development, Matisse never lost interest on nature; he still valued his native soil as well as growing things (Ferrier, 1996). Matisse worked as a court administrator in his hometown, Le Cateau-Cambresis, after gaining his qualification in Paris. Matisse’s beginning of painting Matisse discovered his real profession in a unique way. He started painting in 1889 when he was still recovering from appendicitis through the aid of his mother who brought him art supplies. It was also through his mother’s advice that Matisse decided to follow his emotions in pursuing his interest in the profession he loved. His mother had advised him to follow his own emotions instead of the rules of art. A year after his recovery appendicitis, 1891, Matisse returned to Paris to further his studies in art at Acadenie Julian. It was also in Bouguereau that he learnt essential lessons of classical painting. He also did many drawing exams so as to have a chance of joining Ecole des Beaux-Arts in order to boost his knowledge in arts (Matisse Organization, 2011). “Matisse began his art work by painting still-lives as well as landscapes in the traditional Flemish style, at which he achieved reasonable proficiency” (Matisse Organization, 2011 p.1). However, most of his early paintings appeared dark and gloomy. Most his still-life paintings had direct influence from the work of Chardin, a painter that Matisse admired most among the painters that he knew. In 1896, “Matisse was chosen as an associate member of the Societe Nationale, which meant that each year he could show paintings at the Salon de la Societe without having to submit them for review” (Matisse Organization, 2011 p.1). It was in the same year that he received recognition in his native country after the state bought two out of five of his paintings. Between 1897 and 1898, he paid a renowned painter, John Peter Russell, a visit. This is was a sign of the achievement he had made in the field of arts. “It was through visiting Russell, that Matissewas introducedto both impressionism and the work of Van Gogh, a good friend of Russell” (Ferrier, 1996 p.37). The Dinner Table was the first masterpiece that Matisse produced in 1897 after spending the entire winter working on it. However, it was ridiculed by being hung in a poor location. After many years of poverty (1902-03), Matisse adopted naturalism for a short period, and then declared his loss of desire in painting. However, he was able to earn some significant amount of cash that enabled him travel extensively. Matisse’s career was to prone to periodical changes; however, he always loved discovering “the essential character of things” and to come up with an art “of balance, purity, and serenity,” as he always claimed. In all his works, Matisse was trying to overcome the western ways of life by substituting the traditional illusion of objectivity with a conscious subjectivity. For instance, “his first solo exhibition took place in 1904, without much success” (Matisse Organization, 2011 p.2). In mid May 1905, he visited Catalan port of Collioure located in the South of France. It was in the same year, that Matisse was declared the spearhead of the Fauve association in France, “characterized by its spontaneity and roughness of execution as well as use of raw color straight from the palette to the canvas” (Matisse Organization 2011, p.2). Matisse merged pointillist color with Cezanne’s method of structuring pictorial space in order to develop fauvism (a lesser way of seeing the world than having the real feelings through the eyes). Fauvism movement took place between 1889 and 1908. During that time, there were diverse social, political, and economic issues on the ground. For instance, intellectual life was less composed. Romantic production of art was based on a mass production line during that time. Issues of prostitution, homosexuality as well as abuse of drugs were also very common during this period. Unfortunately, these un-societal practices contributed immensely towards the spread of diseases such as bubonic plague. In addition, segregation was highly practiced; almost every person valued individualism in all activities they were doing. All these are evidenced by Matisse ‘paintings. For instance, the painting“Luxe, Calme et Volupte,” provides a clear picture of the social structure of early 1900s. The images portrayed in this painting are not only sensual, but also exuberant with high degree of primitive lifestyle. From the painting, it is evident that social life of 1900s was not influenced in any way by the rules of urban city. Luxe, Calme et Volupte The period between 1880 and 1910 is associated with employment of global urban network. Lots of struggles were also evident everywhere; ethnic groups as well as religious groups struggled for power. Surprisingly, this period that produced the immediate predicament of the revolution. Unfortunately, Fauvist messages on political issues are not that clear. The paintings appear ambiguous because of the extensive use of color instead of either a line or a subject. For instance, majority of the Matisse’s painting landscapes portray destruction. This is evidenced in the painting “Visions of Arcadia” of 1906 (Flam, 1996). The background of that painting portrays that the political status of Arcadia is under destruction. Visions of Arcadia Some of the economic issues that took place during fauvism period were the introduction of the industrialization. Fortunately, industrialization enhanced the decliner of kingdoms that relied entirely on the taxes. It led to the tax structure of the kingdoms to fall, and as a result saved people from paying taxes. To prevent industrialization from killing the traditional practices such as handcrafting, Matisse advocated the essence of the work of art in all his paintings (Reource Manuals, 2014). Matisse’s work Matisse’s career was so broad. However, he is mainly remembered for contributing immensely towards the introduction and advancement of fauvism which was one of the movements that existed between 1890 and 1910. All his working was based on the past practices which were receiving lots of challenge from industrialization. According to his work, it is evident that Matisse refuted the opinion that modern discoveries had led to the rejection of the past practices. It was his love for traditional practices that he came up with the painting Luxe, Calme et Volupte in 1904. Fauvism was one of the movements that emanated before cubism. His extensive trips to too many places led to him meeting with Andre Derain in Collioure where came up with the painting The Open Window, Collioure in 1905. It was through this painting that his love for many colors was shown. The Open Window, Collioure Matisse also loved images of many patterns. This is evidenced by not only the polished and decorative forms his crafts, but also the production of silks, mottles, and curlicues within his paintings. A good example of his painting that portrays this is “The Red Studio” (Bock-Weiss & Matisse, 2009). The Red Studio From Matisse’s work, it is evident that the effects of fauvism were very significant. For instance, it is evident that it led to the introduction of many techniques in the field of art. However, “the courage to return to the purity of means,” as quoted by Matisse was the main thing that enhanced him to start fauvism movement. Fauvism required freeness in all activities, and thus, Matisse was more concerned on the art of free color (Whitfield, 1996). It was the freeness of color that enabled him to portray the objects which were very essential for his work; the free color allowed him to provide a decorative work. Among the things that made Matisse’s movement succeed was also his dream. This is evidenced by his statement, “What I dream of is an art of balance, purity, and serenity devoid of troubling or depressing subject matter... a soothing, calming influence on the mind, something like a good armchair which provides relaxation from physical fatigue” (Matisse Organization, 2011 p.3). In conclusion, Henri Matisse is one of the painters of early 1860s. He worked in his early life as a lawyer and later advanced his interest in painting. His invention of fauvism movement contributed towards making him one of the renowned painters in the world. Fauvism also contributed significantly towards advocating the traditional arts during the era of revolution. It played a significant role in passing social, economic and political information through the aid of colors. Most painters of that time including Matisse believed that use of colors was one of the effective methods of passing information. References Matisse Organization. (2011). Henri Matisse, and hisArtworks. Retrieved from http://www.henrimatisse/index.jsp Ferrier, J. (1995). The Fauves: The Reign of Colour : Matisse, Derain, Vlaminck, Marquet, Camoin, Manguin, Van Dongen, Friesz, Braque, Dufy Among Others. New York: H. B. Fenn, Limited Flam, J. (1996). Matisse on Art. New York: University of California Press. Whitfield, S. (1996). Fauvism. New York: Thames and Hudson. Bock-Weiss, C. &Matisse, H. (2009). Henri Matisse: Modernist Against the Grain. New York: Penn State Press. Resource Manuals. (2014). Henri Matisse: A Guide to Research. New York: Routledge. Read More