Neo-Impressionism
Neo-Impressionism is an art movement that emerged in the late 19th century as a reaction against the perceived spontaneity and looseness of Impressionism. This movement sought to bring a more systematic and scientific approach to painting, focusing on the use of optical mixing through the application of small, distinct points of pure color.
Origins and Development
Neo-Impressionism, also known as Divisionism or Pointillism, was pioneered by Georges Seurat and Paul Signac. Seurat's theory of color, known as chromoluminarism, was influenced by contemporary scientific research on color and perception. He aimed to create a systematic method for using color to achieve greater luminosity in paintings.
- 1884: Georges Seurat exhibited "A Sunday on La Grande Jatte" at the Salon des Indépendants, which was one of the first examples of Neo-Impressionist work.
- 1886: The term "Neo-Impressionism" was coined by art critic Félix Fénéon.
Techniques and Characteristics
- Pointillism: Artists applied paint in tiny dots or small strokes of pure color, which the eye blends at a distance to form an image.
- Divisionism: This involved separating color into individual dots or patches which interacted to form a final color impression. It was based on the idea that the human eye can blend colors better than the brush.
- Optical Mixing: Instead of mixing colors on the palette, Neo-Impressionists relied on the viewer's eye to mix the colors on the canvas.
- Scientific Approach: The movement was heavily influenced by scientific theories on optics and color perception, particularly the work of Michel Eugène Chevreul on the law of simultaneous contrast of colors.
Notable Artists
- Georges Seurat - Known for his foundational role and works like "A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte."
- Paul Signac - A close associate of Seurat who developed the technique further and wrote extensively on the theory behind Neo-Impressionism.
- Henri-Edmond Cross - Influenced by both Seurat and Signac, Cross's work evolved into a more luminous style.
- Camille Pissarro - Briefly adopted the Neo-Impressionist technique during the late 1880s.
Legacy and Influence
While Neo-Impressionism did not last long as a dominant movement, its influence can be seen in later art movements like Fauvism and Cubism, where color theory continued to play a significant role. The systematic approach to color and composition also influenced later abstract art.
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