6/26/2024 Les fauves

Les Fauves, meaning "The Wild Beasts" in French, was a group of early 20th-century modern artists whose works emphasized painterly qualities and strong color over the representational or realistic values retained by Impressionism. Led by Henri Matisse and André Derain, this movement emerged around 1905, characterized by bold, vibrant colors applied in an expressive, almost primitive manner, which often shocked contemporary audiences. The name "Fauves" was humorously coined by critic Louis Vauxcelles in his review of the 1905 Salon d'Automne exhibit, where he described the artists as "wild beasts" amidst more traditional sculpture. This movement marked a shift towards more abstract art, influencing subsequent developments in modern art, such as German Expressionism and abstract art.