Post-Impressionism is an art movement that emerged in the late 19th century, in the years following the Impressionist movement. While Post-Impressionism builds upon many of the techniques and themes of Impressionism, it also breaks away from the movement in several significant ways.
One of the key characteristics of Post-Impressionism is a greater emphasis on the subjective experience of the artist. While Impressionist painters focused primarily on capturing the immediate sensory impressions of the world around them, Post-Impressionist artists sought to convey a deeper emotional or spiritual meaning through their work. This often involved the use of bright colors, bold brushstrokes, and distorted forms to convey a sense of inner turmoil or passion.
Another important feature of Post-Impressionism is a renewed interest in form and structure. While Impressionist paintings often have a hazy, atmospheric quality that blurs the boundaries between objects, Post-Impressionist painters sought to create a more structured, geometric composition. This can be seen in the work of artists such as Georges Seurat, who used a technique known as pointillism to create paintings made up of tiny dots of color that coalesce into a recognizable form when viewed from a distance.
Post-Impressionist artists also explored new subject matter, often drawing inspiration from non-Western art forms and cultures. For example, Paul Gauguin traveled to Tahiti and other Pacific islands, where he developed a fascination with the indigenous art and culture. His paintings from this period feature flattened forms, bold colors, and simplified shapes that reflect the influence of these cultures.
One of the most famous Post-Impressionist painters is Vincent van Gogh, whose vibrant, expressive paintings are characterized by bold colors, thick impasto, and swirling brushstrokes. Van Gogh’s work often reflects his own intense emotional experiences, as he struggled with mental illness and personal challenges throughout his life.
Overall, Post-Impressionism represents a significant departure from the Impressionist movement that preceded it. While both movements share a focus on the visual experience of the world around us, Post-Impressionist artists sought to convey a deeper emotional or spiritual meaning through their work. They did this through a renewed emphasis on form and structure, a wider range of subject matter, and a greater willingness to experiment with color, shape, and composition. Post-Impressionism remains an influential movement in the history of art, inspiring generations of artists to explore new techniques, subject matter, and modes of expression.