Expressionism & Impressionism CMST 120 Expressionism & Impressionism

What is Expressionism? Expressionism is a term used to characterize works of art and literature where the image is distorted for the sake of conveying an inner vision. The expressionist transforms reality rather than seeking to imitate it.   Most art theorists describe it as a bit opposite of impressionism. Expressionism is a term used to characterize works of art and literature in which the representation of reality is distorted for the sake of conveying an inner vision. The expressionist transforms reality rather than seeking to imitate it.. In painting, according to most art historians, expressionism came about towards the end of the 19th century.   It is thought of as being a bit opposite of impressionism. Expressionism influenced literature, architecture, and eventually the late 1910s film.

Impressionism Some things that define Impressions: Dabs of color and letting brush strokes show. Painting outdoors directly from nature. The painters saw light and color everywhere, even in the darkest shadows. Impressionist used dabs of color, letting the brush strokes show. The smooth - polished look was favored by the Academy. • introduced new techniques, in particular the use of small, broken patches of color to record their sensations. • painted outdoors, directly from nature, because they • wanted to record their sensation of the effects of light on objects through the use of color.

Example of Impressionism The image of the apple is: Made of different color strokes. The background is green and the apple is red (complementary color). This apple is made up of different color strokes. The background is green, which is opposite red on the color wheel (complementary color). The shadow is made up of blues and purples. The table top is yellow, which is the complement of purple. All of these methods were devised by the Impressionist.

Example of Impressionism In this small example we see again how we have dabs of color. It was an unpolished look at painting.

Example of Impressionism Edgar Degas is a beautiful painting of ballet dancers. This was a favorite subject of Degas. The light coming in from the windows is a major focus of this work. Ballet dancers were a favorite subject of Edgar Degas. Note The light coming in from the windows is a major focus of this work.

Example of Impressionism Henry Ossawa Tanner was an African American artist who created impressionist paintings. Note in this painting the Banjo Lesson the use of color and lighting. In addition to being a meaningful exploration of human qualities, the piece is masterfully painted. Tanner undertakes the difficult endeavor of portraying two separate and varying light sources. A natural white, blue glow from outside enters from the left while the warm light from a fireplace is apparent on the right. The figures are illuminated where the two light sources meet.

Expressionism Some things that define Expressionism: Exaggerated color and form for the purpose of expressing emotion. Usually vivid imagery and emotion Disjointed space and agitated brushstrokes Often showing a dark side of human nature

Example of Expressionism The Scream by Edvard Munch (1893) Used a variety of different mediums to create it. Contrast of light and agitated emotion.

Expressionism in Caligari Distortion, angularity, emphasis on shapes

Expressionism in Caligari Rudolf Meinert, the producer of Caligari, reputedly told the artists involved in the project to "Make these sets as eccentrically as you can!” These odd angles and strange shapes accord to states of anxiety, uncertainty, and terror; they create a hypnotic and nightmarish world;