Many of the greatest artists of the early 20th century originated from France from the crucible of 19th century art that was the impressionist movement. These artists brought glistening and bold colours, outrageous shapes with vibrant and energetic images to the art world. Their post impressionist works and later neo-impressionist, fauve, pointillist and expressionist paintings are now some of the most sought after artworks in history.
The Impressionist Movement came to prominence in the 1860’s and 1870’s and had an impact on the way the world saw itself – these painters had been inspired by what are termed the pre-impressionists – artists such as Corot, Ziem, Jongkind and Boudin. The impressionist period was a time of great artistic growth and expansion for art in general. It was also a time when artists were able to make a real difference. These were the very first paintings to be widely exhibited in the museums and galleries of the day which gave birth to a new breed of artists who would go on to influence the likes of Matisse, Chagall, Picasso and many others.
Many of the same characteristics can be found in works from many artists of the early 20th century. They sought novelty in their work, they experimented with many different mediums and most importantly they sought beauty in their work. These traits still exist today, and their influence can still be seen almost everywhere. Their work is still popular today and highly sought after amongst those interested in art.
You may not have discovered your passion for art just yet, but that doesn’t mean you can’t start studying today. A little bit of knowledge today can lead to so much more in the future. This article covers some of the best 20th century artists whose works are worth studying. You might be surprised at some of these names, but then again not everyone knows about artists such as Georges D’Espagnat and Victor Charreton. So please take some time to view our website and discover some lesser-known artists who worked, studied and socialised with the more world renowned painters we immediately recognise today.
You’re probably familiar with these artists:
One of the best known painters is Vincent van Gogh. He was a Dutch post-impressionist painter who practiced and worked in France during the early 20th century. During this period, he created many works that are now considered among the best of all time. Many of the paintings he produced during this time are now highly valuable, and a large number of his paintings have been auctioned for millions of dollars. Van Gogh’s paintings may be considered to be some of the first examples of modern art. While his style was not revolutionary, he was able to tackle issues such as society and mental health, which were still in the news and books at the time. One of his most famous paintings is “The Potato Eaters”, which depicts two labourers eating a potato that is not quite ready to be harvested. The painting has been called both a realistic portrayal of the poor and a metaphor for the Painter’s struggle with mental illness.
Claude Monet was a French Impressionist painter and one of the founders of the Impressionist movement. He is particularly noted for his paintings of water lilies and landscapes. His work has been influential to many other artists, including Vincent Van Gogh. He is the only artist to win the Grand Prix de Critique three times, an honour bestowed by the Society of Artists of Independant France. Monet was a key member of the first Impressionist exhibition in 1874, along with Paul Cézanne, Camille Pissarro, and others. He was also one of the first artists to paintings in which the primary colours of the painting are incorporated into the paint. This technique is known as integration. Monet’s work focuses on light and colour, rather than brushstrokes and outlines. The effect is one of vividness and saturation, as in a snapshot rather than a painting that is meant to look like a photograph.
Paul Cézanne was a French painter and sculptor. He is generally considered one of the most important artists of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Cézanne was a controversial and innovative artist, whose works challenged convention and brought new challenges to the field of art. He was quite innovative in his use of space and colour, as well as his compositional techniques. Cézanne’s works are often characterized by a highly abstracted and decontextualized vision. He was one of the first artists to apply the principles of Cubist art to painting, as well as being a founding father of the abstract art movement. His abstracted “blue period” is considered to be a major forerunner to the abstract art that emerged in the mid-20th century.
Henri Matisse was a French artist, born in Switzerland, who lived and worked in France. He is best known for his use of colour and for his fluid and often spontaneous brushwork. He was a founder of the Cubist movement, though he disliked the term, and later an important influence on the art of the Abstract Expressionists. His work is often compared with that of his friend Pablo Picasso, with whom he frequently exhibited. Matisse was born in1869 in the French-speaking part of the country that is now Switzerland. His family was well-to-do, and he received an education that prepared him to go to art school. In 1890, he started attending the Cours de Dessin at the Ecole des Beaux-Arts in his native city of Lyon. There he met Picasso, who was a few years older.
These are just a few of the many artists whose works are worth studying now and in the future. If you would like to learn more, please spend some time browsing our site – we’d love to have your feedback.
