Fauvism

Woman with a Hat by Matisse

  The style of art known as Fauvism developed out of some of Matisse's work.  In particular as a result of his painting Woman with a Hat (1905).  The way he used colour in this painting shocked the art world.  The woman in the painting was Matisse's wife and even she was not happy with the way she was depicted.  She was known to be embarrassed by it.

Le Bonheur de Vivre (The Joy of Life)

Undaunted, Matisse then painted an even more Fauvist painting – Le Bonheur de Vivre (The Joy of Life).

The word Fauvism comes from French.  The painters who painted with this style were known as Les Fauves (French for wild beasts or savages).  Perhaps it was their wild use of colour that led to this description rather than their behaviour.

Fauvism was only really in fashion for about a decade – the first decade of the 1900's.

Charing Cross Bridge by Derain

Other than Matisse the other Fauvist of note was Derain.  He painted Charing Cross Bridge in London.