Postimpressionist is spelled with four syllables, "po-st-im-pres-sion-ist" (pəʊstɪmˈprɛʃənɪst), and is used to describe artists who were active in the late 19th and early 20th century. The term was coined by art critic Roger Fry to describe a movement of artists who built on the ideas of impressionism but rejected its limitations. Postimpressionist artists, such as Vincent van Gogh, Georges Seurat and Paul Gauguin, developed their own individual styles and emphasized the use of color and form to convey emotions and ideas.
Postimpressionist is an artistic term used to describe a style and movement in painting that emerged in the late 19th century as a reaction against Impressionism. It refers to a group of artists who sought to go beyond the fleeting and atmospheric qualities of Impressionism and explore more subjective and symbolic aspects of art. The term was first coined by British art critic Roger Fry in 1910.
Postimpressionist artists were not a cohesive group with a unified style, but rather a diverse range of individual artists sharing certain approaches and concerns. They aimed to convey emotions, ideas, and personal visions through their art by using bold colors, expressive brushstrokes, and distorted perspectives.
The movement includes renowned artists such as Vincent van Gogh, Paul Cézanne, Paul Gauguin, and Georges Seurat, each of whom brought their own unique artistic sensibilities and techniques to the postimpressionist style. Van Gogh, for example, was known for his vibrant colors and expressive brushwork, while Cézanne focused on geometrical forms and the exploration of space and volume.
Postimpressionism played a crucial role in the development of modern art, as it laid the groundwork for several subsequent movements such as Fauvism and Cubism. Its emphasis on the artist's subjective experience and his/her exploration of form, color, and composition greatly influenced the way art was understood and created in the 20th century.
The word "postimpressionist" is derived from two components: "post" and "impressionist".
1. "Post" is a prefix that originates from the Latin word "post", meaning "after" or "behind". It is often used in English to indicate something that comes after a particular period or movement.
2. "Impressionist" refers to the artistic movement known as Impressionism. Impressionism emerged in the late 19th century and aimed to capture the fleeting impressions of light, color, and atmosphere in a scene. It rejected the strict rules and techniques of academic art and focused on expressing the artist's subjective perception of the subject.
Therefore, "postimpressionist" refers to the period that follows Impressionism, and it describes the artists who were influenced by Impressionism but expanded upon its ideas and techniques in their own distinct ways.