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The birth of Fauvism
Fall 1905, Salon d’Automne in Paris. A group of young painters influenced by the Impressionists, by Manet and the Divisionist Paul Signac, by Cezanne and Van Gogh, exhibit their works at the Salon d’Automne.
All eyes are on the Salle VII (Room 7) where critics are outraged by the exhibition of vibrantly colored canvases. “Is this a hoax? Dementia? Ignorance?!” they exclaim. A white marble statue of a young boy stands in the center of the room.
Art critic Louis Vauxcelles is appalled and cries out, pointing to the statue, “It’s Donatello among the wild beasts!” Fauvism is born (fauve = wild beast).
Although short-lived (1905-1910), Fauvism generated an impact on 20th century art which is still very present today.
Auguste Chabaud, Provençal painter
To fully understand Fauvism, consider adding a 7th artist to the six painters who exhibited in the Salle VII. Absent from the Salon d'Automne yet definitely a Fauve through his use of bright colors, Auguste Chabaud was a pioneer and initiator of the movement, as well as a resident of Graveson.
During the 1905 Salon d'Automne, Chabaud was in Tunisia on duty for his national military service. His suspicious nature and solitary character and his stubborn refusal to be affiliated with any artistic movement make him a unique and relatively unknown “Fauve”.
An overview of Fauvism
Fauvism is characterized by the use of pure colors, large flat tints and simple strokes. The Fauves were united by the desire to represent things as they see them, and not as they “are said to be”. The subjectivity of shape and color takes precedence over dehumanized objectivity.
Biography
• October 3rd 1882: Birth of Auguste Chabaud, grandson of a Protestant pastor, in Nimes.
• In 1896, at 14 years old, Auguste enrolls in the Beaux-Arts school in Avignon where his mentor is Pierre Grivolas.
• Three years later, in 1899, he moves to Paris to pursue his studies at the Beaux-Arts school in Paris, where he meets Matisse and Derain. His parents’ vineyard in Graveson (Mas de Martin) is struck by a crisis in 1900, forcing Auguste to return to the south.
• In 1901 he discovers the West African Coast as a sailor on a ship. The same year his father dies and he and his brother inherit the Mas de Martin which his brother alone will manage. At the time Auguste was drawing on parchment paper.
• From 1903 to 1906 he does his national military service in Tunisia from which he comes home with loads of sketchbooks filled with local images.
• In 1907 Auguste moves to Paris and discovers a new life, the Paris nightlife, the cabarets… this is when he begins his career as an exhibitor. He exhibits at the Salon des Indépendants alongside other Fauves, and collectors begin paying attention to his work.
• In 1911, Auguste begins his Cubist period, working on large scales and sculpting.
• 1914-1918: His brother dies during the war. Auguste continues to exhibit however and begins exporting his art across the Atlantic to New York, Chicago and Boston. He then returns to live permanently in Graveson and in 1920, he begins his Blue Period (using a pure Prussian blue) in which Provence, its people and its traditions are showcased.
• In 1921, he marries Valentine Sussini with whom he spends the rest of his life. Together they have 8 children. Author of several books and poems including “L'estocade de vérité,” “Le tambour Gautier” and “Je me suis pris pour Démosthène,” the painter continues to exhibit until the end of his life.
• In 1937, his son Maurice dies at the age of 7 years.
• May 23, 1955: Death of Auguste Chabaud Graveson |
