Study day: Modern art and colour – from post-impressionism to fauvism

About this course

This study day traces changing approaches to colour and pictorial structure from late Impressionism and Neo-Impressionism through Post-Impressionism, Symbolism and Fauvism. It considers colour theory and experimentation in the work of Monet and Seurat, Cézanne’s compositional investigations, and the expressive approaches of Van Gogh, Gauguin and Bernard. The course also examines how these developments influenced Fauve painters including Matisse, Derain and Vlaminck, with particular attention to Matisse’s pre-First World War painting. Teaching combines slide presentations with group discussion.

What you'll learn

• Explain aspects of the colour theory explored by Impressionist and Post-Impressionist painters.
• Discuss changes in form and composition in late nineteenth-century painting.
• Identify links between Post-Impressionist movements and the development of Fauvism.

Is this course right for you?

The course is suitable for learners at all levels. Participants should be able to follow simple written and verbal instructions, demonstrations, hand-outs and health and safety information, and are invited to contribute to group discussion.

• Includes group discussion alongside slide-based teaching.
• Requires learners to follow written and verbal course information.

Before you go

• A notebook may be useful.
• Learners may wish to buy books from any reading list provided in class.