We’ve selected a few key objects from our collection for you to explore. These are the highlights of the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art & Dean Gallery.
André Derain
Collioure1905On Display | GALLERY OF MODERN ART
Collioure is the name of the fishing village in the south of France where Derain spent the summer of 1905 with fellow artist Henri Matisse. He was very much influenced by the strong light in the south, which casts few shadows and eradicates contrasts in tone. He painted in pure bright colours straight from the tube to capture the effects of the sunlight, using broad, confident brushstrokes to create a flat, decorative and expressive pattern. This use of vibrant colours was associated with the fauvist style.
Glossary [2] Show
Expression
Any act of representation in words, images, music or other means, particularly the representation of emotions or feelings in a lively manner.
Fauvism
A group of painters in France in the early 20th century, including Henri Matisse and André Derain, who used bold, vivid colours in their work. The name is derived from a derogatory remark from a critic who saw them as akin to wild beasts.
- Accession no. GMA 1280
- Medium Oil on canvas
- Size 60.20 x 73.50 cm
- Credit Purchased 1973
André Derain (French, 1880 - 1954)
Derain was born near Paris and was a contemporary and friend of Henri Matisse. He became part of the first generation of artists to paint in a fauvist and cubist style. It was his fauvist work, recognisable by the use of pure bright colours, for which Derain was most celebrated. However, he turned his back on the avant garde later on in his career and returned to a more traditional style, using muted colours and solid forms. He also designed sets and costumes for theatrical productions.
Glossary [3] Show
Avant garde
Cultural practices that challenge tradition through experimentation and innovation. Originally a military term, in art it is particularly associated with the late 19th and 20th centuries.
Cubism
A style of painting originated by Georges Braque and Pablo Picasso in the first two decades of the 20th century. Instead of painting a figure or object from a fixed position they represented it from multiple viewpoints.
Fauvism
A group of painters in France in the early 20th century, including Henri Matisse and André Derain, who used bold, vivid colours in their work. The name is derived from a derogatory remark from a critic who saw them as akin to wild beasts.