Fauvism

A style of painting popular in France in the early years of the twentieth century, led primarily by the artists Henri Matisse and Andre Derain. It is characterised by the bold use of colour (often applied directly from the tube), a simplified depiction of forms and strong brushwork. Influences on fauvism include Post-Impressionism, Neo-Impressionism and scientific colour theories prevalent in the late nineteenth century. The style derives its name from the French term les fauves (the beasts), used in 1905 by the French art critic Louis Vauxcelles to describe the expressive works of Matisse and Derain in this style. Other artists related to the style include Georges Braque, Raoul Dufy, Georges Rouault and Maurice de Vlaminck.