libterm.com Cloisonnism is an art style characterized by bold, flat areas of color separated by dark, distinct outlines, reminiscent of stained glass. This technique emerged in the late 19th century and was notably practiced by artists like Emile Bernard and Paul Gauguin, emphasizing simplified forms and vibrant hues. Explore the rest of the article to discover how Cloisonnism influenced modern art and its unique visual impact on your appreciation of color and composition.
Table of Comparison
| Aspect | Cloisonnism | Synthetism |
|---|---|---|
| Origin | Late 19th century, Post-Impressionism | Late 19th century, Post-Impressionism |
| Key Artists | Emile Bernard, Paul Gauguin | Paul Gauguin, Emile Bernard, Louis Anquetin |
| Style | Bold outlines, flat areas of color, inspired by stained glass | Combines form and color to synthesize subject and idea |
| Color Usage | Strong, vibrant, separated by dark outlines | Flat, bold colors creating symbolic meaning |
| Composition | Separated color zones defined by dark contours | Unity of form and content with simplified shapes |
| Philosophy | Emphasizes decorative effect and clarity | Focuses on expressing ideas over naturalism |
| Notable Works | Emile Bernard's " Brittany Women in the Meadow " | Gauguin's "Vision After the Sermon" |
Introduction to Cloisonnism and Synthetism
Cloisonnism, characterized by bold outlines and flat areas of color, emerged in the late 19th century as a reaction against Impressionism, drawing inspiration from stained glass and cloisonne enamel techniques. Synthetism, developed by Paul Gauguin and Emile Bernard, emphasized the synthesis of form, color, and symbolic meaning to create more expressive and abstract art compositions. Both movements played a crucial role in the transition from naturalistic to modernist painting styles in post-Impressionist art.
Historical Context and Origins
Cloisonnism originated in the late 19th century as part of Post-Impressionism, characterized by bold, flat forms separated by dark contours, inspired by medieval stained glass and cloisonne enamel techniques. Synthetism emerged simultaneously, pioneered by artists like Paul Gauguin, emphasizing the synthesis of observation, memory, and imagination to convey symbolic meaning beyond naturalistic representation. Both movements arose as reactions against Impressionism, seeking deeper emotional and spiritual expression through simplified shapes and vivid colors.
Key Artists and Influencers
Cloisonnism, characterized by bold contour lines and flat areas of color, was pioneered by Emile Bernard and Edouard Vuillard, who emphasized simplified forms and vibrant palettes influenced by stained glass art. Synthetism, developed by Paul Gauguin and Vincent van Gogh, combined elements of realism, symbolism, and abstraction to convey emotional and spiritual experiences through simplified shapes and vivid colors. Both movements significantly shaped Post-Impressionist art, with Gauguin acting as a central figure bridging their distinct stylistic approaches.
Defining Characteristics of Cloisonnism
Cloisonnism is characterized by bold, flat areas of color outlined with dark contours, resembling stained glass or cloisonne enamel work, emphasizing strong separation between color fields. It prioritizes decorative qualities and simplicity, often reducing forms to their essential shapes to create a graphic, two-dimensional effect. Unlike Synthetism, which combines natural forms with symbolic meaning and broader color harmonies, Cloisonnism strictly focuses on delineation and color contrast for visual impact.
Defining Characteristics of Synthetism
Synthetism emphasizes the synthesis of form and color to convey the artist's emotional response rather than merely depicting natural appearances, characterized by bold outlines, flat areas of saturated color, and simplified shapes. Unlike Cloisonnism, which is defined by thick black contours encasing vivid color areas reminiscent of stained glass, Synthetism integrates symbolic content and an expressive use of color to represent inner feelings. Key figures such as Paul Gauguin advanced Synthetism by combining these visual strategies with themes inspired by spirituality and primitivism.
Approach to Color and Line
Cloisonnism emphasizes bold, flat areas of color separated by dark, defined outlines, creating a stained-glass effect that highlights contrast and simplicity. Synthetism blends simplified forms with symbolic color use, focusing on the harmonious synthesis of shapes, colors, and contours to convey emotion and meaning. Both approaches reject naturalistic representation but differ in Cloisonnism's rigid separation of color fields versus Synthetism's fluid integration of line and color.
Subject Matter and Symbolism
Cloisonnism emphasizes bold, flat areas of color separated by dark contours, often depicting simplified, symbolic subjects inspired by Japanese prints and stained glass. Synthetism focuses on combining subject matter with the artist's emotional response, using symbolic colors and forms to convey deeper meanings beyond literal representation. Both movements prioritize symbolic content but Cloisonnism highlights formal separation of shapes while Synthetism integrates symbolic elements to synthesize visual and emotional experience.
Techniques and Materials Used
Cloisonnism employs bold, flat areas of color separated by dark contours, mimicking the cloisonne enamel technique, typically using oil paints on canvas to create distinct color compartments. Synthetism combines simplified forms with symbolic content, utilizing flat color planes and bold outlines often enhanced by mixed media such as gouache and watercolor on paper or canvas. Both techniques emphasize strong outlines and vibrant colors but differ in material application and interpretive intent, with Cloisonnism focusing on decorative surface and Synthetism on synthesizing form and idea.
Impact on Modern Art Movements
Cloisonnism, characterized by bold outlines and flat color planes, influenced Modern Art by emphasizing abstraction and decorative qualities that anticipated Fauvism and Expressionism. Synthetism, which combined simplified forms and symbolic content, played a crucial role in shaping Symbolism and early abstract movements by prioritizing emotional resonance over realistic depiction. Both movements contributed to breaking traditional representation, paving the way for Post-Impressionism and paving the path to Cubism and Surrealism.
Conclusion: Comparing Influence and Legacy
Cloisonnism and Synthetism both revolutionized post-Impressionist art by emphasizing flat color areas and bold outlines, yet Cloisonnism is distinguished by its direct inspiration from stained glass techniques, while Synthetism integrates symbolic content with simplified forms. The influence of Cloisonnism is predominantly seen in decorative art and early modernism, whereas Synthetism significantly shaped Symbolism and inspired artists like Gauguin and the Pont-Aven School. Their legacy endures in modern art's embrace of abstraction, vivid palette, and expressive symbolism, marking a pivotal shift from naturalistic representation to emotional and conceptual depth.
Cloisonnism Infographic
