Be Inspired - Artistic Movements - Fauvism

Bold, expressive, and unapologetically vibrant, Fauvism was a short-lived but powerful art movement that redefined colour and emotion in the early 20th century. Emerging around 1905 and led by Henri Matisse and André Derain, the Fauves—French for “wild beasts”—earned their name for their daring use of colour, wild brushwork, and bold rejection of traditional realism.

Alongside Matisse, artists such as George Camoin, Albert Marquet, Raoul Dufy, and Charles Camoin helped shape the movement’s energetic spirit. Each brought their own flair—Marquet’s sweeping coastal scenes, Dufy’s lively cityscapes, and Camoin’s intimate portraits—all unified by luminous, non-naturalistic colour and an emotional intensity that prioritised feeling over fidelity.

Fauvism simplified form, flattened perspective, and embraced pure pigment in ways that felt spontaneous and free. Vibrant reds, electric blues, and golden yellows were used to express an inner world rather than capturing reality. The result was a radical visual language that has echoed across generations of artists.

Though Fauvism as a formal movement was brief, its influence remains enduring. Contemporary artists like Chloe Watts and Rebecca Aldernet continue this legacy today, reviving the Fauvist spirit through abstract florals, vivid landscapes, and unapologetically joyful palettes. Their work channels the same commitment to expressive colour and emotional honesty, breathing new life into an old style.

Whether seen in the energetic brushwork of the early 1900s or the contemporary interpretations found in modern prints, Fauvism continues to captivate. It is a celebration of freedom—of seeing with the imagination rather than the eye—and a reminder that colour, untamed and unapologetic has the power to uplift, challenge, and transform.