Famous Fauvism Paintings

A group of artists known as the Fauvists or "Wild Beasts" formed in the early 20th century. These artists created some of the most colorful paintings in history. The foundation was laid by the Impressionists and Post-Impressionists in the late 19th century.

The Fauvism movement started around 1904 and lasted until 1910. The top artists were Henri Matisse and Andre Derain.

Le Bonheur de Vivre Henri Matisse

French artist Henri Matisse created this artwork in 1906. It is considered to be one of the most important paintings of the early 20th century. The painting depicts a landscape of bright colors. naked women, people playing music and dancing, and people having a good time can be seen on canvas.

Matisse reused the group dancing in the central part in his famous artwork The Dance.

The Green Stripe Henri Matisse

French artist Henri Matisse created this artwork in 1905. It is also known as The Portrait of Madame Matisse. The painting depicts the artist's wife Amelie Noellie Matisse-Parayre. The name of the painting refers to the green stripe that divides the woman's face. This artwork remains as one of the most striking Fauvism paintings ever created.

The Open Window Henri Matisse

French artist Henri Matisse created this artwork that is one of the first paintings in which the artist developed his new colorful style. It depicts the view outside the hotel bedroom window where Matisse was staying in the town of Collioure on the French Mediterranean coast.

Charring Cross Bridge Andre Derain (Pictured above)

French artist Andre Derain created this artwork while visiting London, England in the early 20th century. This painting is among the 30 paintings the artists created during his two visits to the city. This painting is looked upon to be one of the greatest examples of the Fauvism movement. It was created with bright colors and blue buildings, red trees, and yellow sky can be seen.

The Turning Road, L'Estaque Andre Derain

French artist Andre Derain created this artwork which is considered to be a masterpiece of the Fauvism movement. It is a painting with brilliant colors. It depicts the French village of L'Estaque located west of Marseille on the Cote d'Azur.

Colored Landscape with Aquatic Birds Jean Metzinger

French artist and color theorist Jean Metzinger used bright colors in Fauvist theme to paint a tropical landscape. This artwork became highly influential for the Cubist art movement. This painting is considered to be a "Proto-Cubist" painting. It depicts birds in a tropical setting.

The River Seine at Chatou Maurice De Vlaminck

French artist Maurice De Vlaminck was among the leading figures of the Fauvism movement. This painting is his best-known artwork. It depicts his hometown Chatou located west of Paris, France. Today Chatou is practically a suburb of Paris. Along with French artist Andre Derain, the artist set up the "School at Chatou" focusing on the use of bright colors.

Landscape near Antwerp George Braque

French artist George Braque visited Antwerp, Belgium in the summer of 1906. He radically changed his style and used extremely bright colors to paint the landscape near Antwerp.

Port of la Ciotat George Braque

French artist George Braque was born and raised in the port city of Le Havre in the Normandy region of France. He created many paintings depicting this port and was heavily influenced by the Fauvist artists of this period. Later on, he became one of the leading figures of the Cubist art movement working closely with Spanish artist Pablo Picasso.

Boats at Martigues Raoul Dufy

French artist Raoul Dufy completed this artwork in 1907. The painting depicts boats embarked on the seaside at Cote d'Azur in the southern part of France.