Postimpressionism

Characteristics

Emphasis on color and form Art for art’s sake

Didn’t try to sell their art No patrons Didn’t care what critics or public thought

Strived to invent new techniques

Vincent van Gogh (1853 – 1890)

Bright colors (especially yellow) Short, choppy brushstrokes

Sometimes didn’t even use a brush Lonely life of poverty, depression and

mental illness Eventually commits suicide

Vincent van GoghStarry Night

Vincent van GoghSunflowers1888, Oil on canvas

Vincent van GoghWheatfield with Crows1890, Oil on canvas

Paul Gauguin (1848 – 1903)

Abandoned his wife and kids, travelled the world and settled in Tahiti

Knew van Gogh Painted together in France Argued frequently Van Gogh tried to kill Gauguin

Figures with no shadows No realistic colors

Paul GauguinDay of the Gods (Mahana no Atua)1894, Oil on canvas

Paul GauginSpirit of the Dead Watching1892

Georges Seurat (1859 – 1891)

Pointillism – Painting using tiny dots that are side by side

Scientific use of color Painted indoors with artificial light

Georges SeuratThe Bathers, Asnières1883 - 1884

Georges SeuratA Sunday on La Grande Jatte – 18841884 – 1886, Oil on canvas

Paul Cézanne (1839 – 1906)

Tried to recapture the glory of landscapes Obsessed with 3D feel in nature His still-lifes tilt, twist, and violate the laws

of physics

Paul CezanneThe Basket of Apples1895, Oil on canvas

Paul Cezanne, Mont Sainte-Victoire1902 – 1904, Oil on canvas