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Post Impressionist

Post-Impressionism, as implied by the name, came after the creation of the Impressionism. This movement, made up entirely by French artists, other than the exception of Vincent Van Gogh, was a reaction by the artists to the inherent limitations of the Impressionist style. Paul Cezanne stated he wished "to make of Impressionism something solid and enduring, like the art of the museums."

The limitations that the Post-Impressionists saw were basically founded in the Impressionists concern and devotion to naturalism and the momentary effects of lighting. Post-Impressionists, while also preoccupied with the uses of color, were seeking both a more expressive use of color and like Georges Seurat, a somewhat scientific analysis of color.

While the aims and ideals of the Post-Impressionists were clear, the styles of the various painters in the movement varied wildly. Van Gogh's "Starry Night" is a long leap from Seurat's "Sunday Afternoon on Grand Jatte". The Post-Impressionists, while held together by their innovative and free uses of color, created a much diverse output than the more idealistic Impressionists.

Did You Know

that the Post-Impressionist movement, like the Impressionist movement, was named by journalist/art critic. Roger Fry coined "Post-Impressionism" as the title of an exhibition at the Grafton Galleries, London, in 1910-1911: Manet and the Post-Impressionists.

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