Understanding Post-Impressionism: A Turning Point in Modern Art
Post-Impressionism describes a diverse group of artists who moved beyond the techniques of Impressionism to explore new forms of expression. Although many were influenced by Impressionism’s focus on light and everyday scenes, artists like Paul Cézanne, Vincent van Gogh, Georges Seurat, and Paul Gauguin each developed distinct styles that helped shape modern art.
What Is Post-Impressionism?
Post-Impressionism is not a single style but a term used to categorise artists in late 19th-century France who reacted against Impressionism. Unlike Impressionists, who painted fleeting moments with natural light, Post-Impressionist painters often used bold colours, expressive brushwork, and emotional symbolism.
Paul Cézanne: The Father of Modern Art
Cézanne's work focused on structure and form. He believed that all shapes in nature could be broken down into basic geometric forms like cubes, cylinders, and spheres. His landscapes, especially Mont Sainte-Victoire, reflect his move toward abstraction and influenced later movements like Cubism.
Vincent van Gogh: Emotion Through Colour
Van Gogh’s expressive use of colour and texture made him one of the most famous Post-Impressionist artists. Despite struggling with mental health, he produced over 2,000 artworks. In pieces like Café Terrace at Night and Self-Portrait III, van Gogh used vivid contrasts and swirling brushstrokes to reflect his inner world. Though unrecognised in his lifetime, his legacy now dominates modern art history.
Georges Seurat: The Science of Colour
Seurat developed a technique called Pointillism, applying tiny dots of colour to create detailed, luminous scenes. His most famous work, A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte, used optical theory to bring Impressionist ideas into a more calculated, structured style. Seurat’s method laid the groundwork for 20th-century Neo-Impressionism.
Paul Gauguin: Colour and Symbolism
Gauguin started with Impressionist techniques but soon moved toward bold colour and spiritual themes. After travelling to Martinique and later Tahiti, his style evolved into some