The art movement i have researched and am interested in is Fauvism. Fauvism was not a normal movement with a large number of rules or regulations. It was more an instinctive coming together of artists who wished to express themselves by using bold colours, simplified drawing and expressive brushwork. Fauvism was an early 20th century art movement which originated in France. Two young artist, Henri Matisse and Andre` Derain formed the basis of a group of painters nicknamed ‘Les Fauves’ which meant ‘Wild Beast’ in French.
They were given this name because it was felt that these artists used intense colours in violent ways, uncontrolled way. While fauvism as a style began around 1900 and continued beyond 1910, the movement as such lasted only a few years, 1904-1908, and had three exhibitions. The artist I have chosen is Henri Matisse, one of the leaders in the art movement Fauvism. His art work I have chosen to analyse is ‘The women with the hat’ which was painted in 1905 and exhibited in the 1905 Salon d’Automne. The Woman with the Hat which is approximately 31-3/4” x 23-1/2”, is an abstracted portrait of Matisse’s wife.
The painting illustrates the fundamental characteristics of fauvism with its choice of subject (a portrait), energetic paint strokes, and use of unnatural bright colours. The women’s dress, skin, and feathered hat, as well as the background, are all portrayed with unrealistic shades of vivid colours applied with active brushwork. His sketchy brushwork and wildly arbitrary colours create a harsh and dissonant effect. Few critics couldn’t understand why Matisse would paint his wife like this and this painting creating lots of controversy and deliberate disharmonies.
Matisse painted women with a hat because it was a portrait of his wife, Amelie Parayre. Critics thought the painting looked strangely unfinished and crude. What shocked them most were those odd, clashing colors that decorated the feathers of Madame Matisse’s hat and illuminated her face. This painting confused and repelled Parisians. Amelie Matisse was a respectable brunette, but in the portrait she has brick red hair, an unnatural slash of dark green creasing her forehead, and mint green shading on the bridge of her nose. Rumors began to fly that all was not well in the marriage of Henri and Amelie.
All though people thought, and still continue you to think this is disagree. I believe Matisse painted his wife this way to make her look grand and beautiful. He chose that big hat to make her stand out and all those vivid, bright and beautiful colours to make her seem pretty and sweet. I also believe he painted his wife in this style because Matisse loved and had a passion for painting this way. This painting was his way of expressing his two loves in life. Henri Matisse’s ‘the women with the hat’ is a very eye-catching painting. When I first saw this piece I immediately loved it.
The thing I like the most about this artwork is Matisse’s use of brilliant bold colours. He has used colours like green, yellow, pink and purple, which really stand out, and appeals to the eye. I like the fact he has used a combination of warm and cool colours. I also really like the texture. This painting has a very sketchy stippled like texture. It is different, and that’s why I like it. What i don’t like about this artwork is the women’s hat. I feel when you look at it you can’t really tell it is a hat. It is too big for the women’s small face and head.
When i look at this painting i feel inspired and vibrant. I believe Henri Matisse got his message through this piece of artwork. It took guts for Henri to paint and present a gallery of artwork with a totally new, totally different style. I believe he has pulled this off in women with a hat. Overall, i have enjoyed learning about Fauvism, as did not know anything about this style. Henri Matisse and the other Fauve artist have inspired me for my canvas. I want to also paint with bright bold contrasting colours, and just like women with paint create different fascinated texture.
