Flattened Forms and Synthetic Colors

Flattened Forms and Synthetic Colors: A Defining Feature of Synthetism and Cloisonnism

Introduction:

Synthetism and Cloisonnism, two distinct yet interconnected art movements that emerged in the late 19th century, share a common characteristic: their emphasis on flattened forms and synthetic colors. This approach to art-making significantly influenced the development of Post-Impressionism and paved the way for modern art.

Flattened Forms:

  • Rejection of Traditional Perspective:

    • Artists in these movements rejected the traditional use of perspective, which creates the illusion of depth in a painting.
    • Instead, they flattened the picture plane, reducing forms to their essential shapes and eliminating the illusion of spatial recession.

  • Emphasis on Two-Dimensionality:

    • By flattening forms, artists emphasized the two-dimensionality of the canvas, creating a sense of immediacy and directness.
    • This approach allowed them to focus on the intrinsic qualities of color, shape, and line, rather than on creating a realistic representation of the world.

Synthetic Colors:

  • Non-Naturalistic Palette:

    • Synthetists and Cloisonnists employed a non-naturalistic palette, using colors that were not found in nature.
    • They believed that colors should be used symbolically and expressively, rather than to imitate reality.

  • Arbitrary and Subjective Use of Color:

    • The choice of colors was often arbitrary and subjective, based on the artist's emotional response to the subject matter or the desire to create a specific mood or atmosphere.
    • This approach to color liberated artists from the constraints of realism and allowed them to explore the expressive potential of color.

Impact on Post-Impressionism and Modern Art:

  • Influence on Fauvism and Cubism:

    • The flattened forms and synthetic colors of Synthetism and Cloisonnism had a profound influence on subsequent art movements, particularly Fauvism and Cubism.
    • Fauvism, led by Henri Matisse and AndrĂ© Derain, took the use of non-naturalistic colors to new heights, while Cubism, pioneered by Pablo Picasso and Georges Braque, further explored the concept of flattened forms and multiple perspectives.

  • Legacy in Modern Art:

    • The legacy of Synthetism and Cloisonnism can be seen in the works of many modern artists, including Wassily Kandinsky, Piet Mondrian, and Jackson Pollock.
    • These artists continued to explore the expressive potential of flattened forms and synthetic colors, pushing the boundaries of abstraction and paving the way for new artistic possibilities.

Conclusion:

Flattened forms and synthetic colors were defining characteristics of Synthetism and Cloisonnism, two significant art movements that emerged in the late 19th century. By rejecting traditional perspective and employing non-naturalistic colors, artists in these movements sought to create a new visual language that emphasized the expressive potential of form and color. Their innovative approach had a profound impact on the development of Post-Impressionism and modern art, leaving a lasting legacy in the history of art.