Flat Color Areas and Asymmetry

Outline

The use of flat color areas and asymmetry in Post-Impressionism
The influence of Japanese art on the Nabis
The work of Paul Gauguin and Émile Bernard
The development of Synthetism

The Use of Flat Color Areas and Asymmetry in Post-Impressionism

One of the most striking features of Post-Impressionism is the use of flat color areas and asymmetry. This was a radical departure from the traditional use of chiaroscuro, or modeling with light and shade, which had been the dominant technique in Western art since the Renaissance.

The use of flat color areas and asymmetry was inspired by a number of sources, including Japanese art, Symbolism, and the work of Paul Cézanne. Japanese art, with its emphasis on line and flat color, had a profound influence on the Nabis, a group of young artists who were at the forefront of the Post-Impressionist movement.

The Influence of Japanese Art on the Nabis

The Nabis were particularly drawn to the Japanese ukiyo-e prints, which were popular in Paris in the late 19th century. These prints were characterized by their use of flat color areas, bold lines, and asymmetrical compositions. The Nabis were also influenced by the Japanese concept of "ma," or empty space, which they used to create a sense of balance and harmony in their work.

The Work of Paul Gauguin and Émile Bernard

Two of the most important Post-Impressionist artists who used flat color areas and asymmetry were Paul Gauguin and Émile Bernard. Gauguin was a French artist who spent much of his life in Tahiti, where he was inspired by the local culture and art. His work is characterized by its use of bright colors, bold lines, and simplified forms. Bernard was a French artist who was closely associated with Gauguin. His work is also characterized by its use of flat color areas and asymmetry, but it is more structured and less emotional than Gauguin's.

The Development of Synthetism

The use of flat color areas and asymmetry in Post-Impressionism led to the development of a new style of painting called Synthetism. Synthetism was a reaction against the naturalism of Impressionism and the Symbolism of the Nabis. Synthetist artists sought to create a new kind of art that was both expressive and decorative. They used flat color areas, bold lines, and asymmetrical compositions to create works of art that were visually striking and emotionally powerful.

The use of flat color areas and asymmetry was a radical departure from the traditional techniques of Western art. It was a new way of seeing and representing the world that had a profound impact on the development of modern art.