To continue my discussion on the post-Impressionists
influence on modern art, I’d like to review how Paul Gauguin touched the lives
of so many future artists. Interestingly, he started early, even before he
headed off to Tahiti. In 1886, Gauguin spent some time in the lovely village of
Pont-Aven in France. This Brittany village had been a lure for artists since 1866
when some American art students “discovered” it and began to capture the
gorgeous landscapes and charming people. In time, more artists came to do the
same. A group of artists calling themselves, Les Nabis (prophets in Hebrew), gathered
in Pont-Aven and befriended Gauguin while he was there. In his eyes, art was
totally an expression of the artist. Instead of reproducing what is in front of
you, why not try to draw and/or paint from memory, forget perspective and let
color dazzle, dance with shade or shadow.
His The Yellow Christ
became the inspiration for Nabis’ Maurice Denis’ The Offertory at Calvary.
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| Paul Gauguin's The Yellow Christ 1889 |
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| Maurice Denis’ The Offertory at Calvary 1890* |
Paul Sérusier, another member of Les Nabis, painted The Talisman through direct
encouragement from Gauguin. This painting (oil on wood) was definitely a turning
point.
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| The Talisman by Paul Sérusier 1888 |
Recognizable form was gone and in its place was the artist’s reflection.
According to Maurice Denis, Gauguin had told Séruzier :
"How
do you see these trees? They are yellow. So, put in yellow; this shadow, rather
blue, paint it with pure ultramarine; these red leaves? Put in vermilion".
The Talisman that has been in the
Musee D’Orsay (Paris) collection since 1985. Here’s what they have to say:
“A
close observation of the painting allows one to recognize certain elements of
the landscape represented: the wood, at the top on the left, the transversal
path, the row of beech trees on the river bank, and the mill, at the back, on
the right. Each of these elements is a stain of colour.”
Beyond Les Nabis, Gauguin’s influence continued to run deep.
Take for instance, the work of Henri Matisse. Gauguin is known for his bold colors and lines as well as his primitive style as you can see below in Nevermore. Matisse crested his own nude, Blue Nude (Souvenir of Biskra) in 1907, using the same technique. It is said, that he painted this piece after he broke a similar sculpture. Of course, the painting caused an international upset.
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| Nevermore by Gauguin 1897 |
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| Blue Nude by Matisse 1907 |
Another leading example of Gauguin's influence is demonstrated by Pablo Picaso. Although there is direct correlation to Paul Cezanne in Picasso's cubist paintings--as related to the fact that Cezanne emphasized geometrics in painting, one can also see a Gauguin influence if one considers his primitive art, bold line and color. Below are two paintings by Picasso--the first created in 1902 called the Blue Nude, his second is done in 1969 with a highly cubist take. There is a touch of Gauguin in both of them.
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| Blue Nude by Picasso 1902 |
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| Reclining Nude by Picasso, 1969 |
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| Marilyn by Andy Warhol 1962 |
What's Coming Up This Fall!
Six-week classes to begin week of October 27
Drawing with Pen and Ink
10/29 Tuesday evenings, 7-9 pm $70
Sketching the Holiday Season
10/30 Wednesday mornings: 10 am to 12 $70
10/30 Wednesday mornings: 10 am to 12 $70
Fun with Acrylics
Painting with Primaries
10/31 Thursday evenings: 6:30 pm to 9 $80
Painting with Primaries
10/31 Thursday evenings: 6:30 pm to 9 $80
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Every Second Sunday: Visual Journaling1 p.m. to 4 p.m. $20 per class
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Workshops at Studio in Tigard
More information on each workshop at: http://jillsworkshops.blogspot.com/
Saturday, October 26
Basic Acrylic Painting10 a.m. to 4 p.m.$70
Saturday, November 2
How to make a Vinyl Floor Mat10 a.m. to 4 p.m.$70
Saturday, November 16
Drawing with Pen & InkBonus! Including Colored Acrylic Inks10 a.m. To 4 p.m.$70
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Sketching Trips in 2014
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