Les Fauves (French for The Wild Beasts) were a short-lived and loose grouping of early Modern artists whose works emphasized painterly qualities, and the use of deep color over the representational values retained by Impressionism.

Fauvists simplified lines, made the subject of the painting easy to read, exaggerated perspectives and used brilliant but arbitrary colors. They also emphasized freshness and spontaneity over finish.

One of the fundamentals of the Fauves was expressed in 1888 by Paul Gauguin to Paul Sérusier,

"How do you see these trees? They are yellow. So, put in yellow; this shadow, rather blue, paint it with pure ultramarine; these red leaves? Put in vermilion."

The name was given (humorously) to the group by art critic Louis Vauxcelles. In French, "Fauves" means "wild beasts." The painter Gustave Moreau was the movement's inspirational teacher, and a professor at the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris who pushed his students to think outside of the lines of formality and to follow their visions.

Leaders

The leaders of the movement, Moreau's top students, were Henri Matisse and André Derain  friendly rivals of a sort, each with his own followers.

The paintings, for example Matisse's 1908 The Dessert or Derain's The Two Barges, use powerful reds or other forceful colors to draw the eye. Matisse became the yang to Picasso's yin in the 20th century while time has trapped Derain at the century's beginning, a "wild beast" forever.

Disciples

Their disciples included Albert Marquet, Charles Camoin, the Belgian painter Henri Evenepoel, Jean Puy, Maurice de Vlaminck, Raoul Dufy, Othon Friesz, Georges Rouault, the Dutch painter Kees van Dongen, the Swiss painter Alice Bailly and Picasso's partner in Cubism, Georges Braque.

No Concrete Theories

Fauvism, as a movement, had no concrete theories, and was short lived (they only had three exhibitions). Matisse was seen as a leader of the movement. He said he wanted to create art to delight; art as a decoration was his purpose; therefore his use of bright colors tries to maintain serenity of composition.

Influences

Among the influences of the movement were Paul Gauguin and Vincent van Gogh, both of whom had begun using colors in a brighter, more imaginative manner.

The French painter Emile Bellet also cites Fauvism as an influence.

In Nutshell

Terminology
Group named by Parisian art critic Louis Vauxcelles in his review of the 1905 Salon d'Automne: "Donatello au milieu des fauves!" ("Donatello among the wild beasts!"). The remark was made in reference to a room in the salon in which a classical-looking statue by Albert Marquet was surrounded by paintings by Matisse and others.
Artists
Henri Matisse, Georges Roualt, André Derain, and Maurice de Vlaminck.
Timeline
c. 1905-1908.
Started In
France.
About
First modern movement of the 20th century in style and attitude. Movement composed of a number of individual styles. Bold color was a unifying element among the Fauves.
Theme
Images of contemporary life (influence of Impressionism).
Art Style
Violently contrasting, non descriptive colors, and flat patterns.
Known Work
MATISSE, The Joy of Life, 1905-1906.
MATISSE, Harmony in Red, 1909.
Inspiration
Impressionism and Post-Impressionism.
Become Inspiration Of
German Expressionism.