Facts about Les Fauves inform us about the Fauvism, which took place in 20th century. The words les Fauves were taken from French, which mean the wild beasts. The group of these modern artists applied the strong colors on their works. In 1900, Les Fauves was recognized as a style. The movement only lasted for several years. It began in 1904 and ended in 1908. The style was only exhibited three times.
Facts about Les Fauves 1: the leading figures
Henri Matisse and André Derain were considered as the leading figures in Les Fauves.
Facts about Les Fauves 2: other artists
There were many other artists identified as Les Fauves. They included Georges Braque, Karl Pärsimägi, Albert Marquet, Kees van Dongen, Henri Evenepoel, Othon Friesz, Jean Puy, Jean Metzinger, Louis Valtat and many more.
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Facts about Les Fauves 3: the characteristics of paintings
The paintings of Les Fauves are created using the strong colors and wild brush strokes. The subject would be painted in abstract and simple style.
Facts about Les Fauves 4: Louis Vauxcelles
Louis Vauxcelles was an art critic who called the painters like Jean Puy, Henri Matisse, Kees van Dongen and André Derain at the Salon d’Automne of 1905 as fauves due to their bold colored paintings. Therefore, the movement was called Fauvism.
Facts about Les Fauves 5: the first exhibition of Les Fauves
The Les Fauves artists had their first exhibition at Salon d’Automne in 1905.
Facts about Les Fauves 6: The Hungry Lion Throws Itself on the Antelope
The Hungry Lion Throws Itself on the Antelope was painted by Henri Rousseau. This large jungle painting was located next to the work of Matisse, which inspired the term fauve or wild beast.
Facts about Les Fauves 7: the popular usage of Les Fauves
The term Les Fauves became popular after the comment of Vauxcelles in a daily newspaper, Gil Blas on October 17th, 1905.
Facts about Les Fauves 8: the receptions of Les Fauves paintings
The Les Fauves paintings were not well received even though some praised the paintings.
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Facts about Les Fauves 9: Woman with a Hat
Woman with a Hat was the painting, which earned the most attacks from the people. It was painted by Matisse.
Facts about Les Fauves 10: demoralization
Due to the bad reception of his work, Matisse suffered discouragement. However, Matisse felt positive after this work was purchased by Gertrude and Leo Stein.
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