The influence of Van Gogh on Matisse, Derain and Vlaminck, 1898-190

Since 1905 the vast majority of writings on the Fauves contain at least passing references to the importance of Van Gogh for the development of Matisse, Derain and Vlaminck. But generally Van Gogh's contribution is overshadowed by those of Gauguin, Neo-Impressionism and Cezanne. While not denying the profound influence of other artists and movements on the Fauves, I feel that Van Gogh was of great importance to them and that his contribution has not been examined in depth. This study attempts to rectify this omission. Part I examines which works by Van Gogh were available to the Fauves in Paris. Attention is then focused on those who had known Van Gogh personally, J. P. Russell, Pissarro, Signac and Dr. Felix Rey, with whom Matisse, in particular, could have had direct or indirect contact. A survey of the writings on Van Gogh published in Paris 1890-1905 is provided to discover what ideas about Van Gogh the three Fauves could have garnered from them. It is indicated that the extracts of Van Gogh's letters edited by Bernard and printed in the Mercure de France 1893-7 were accessible to the Fauves, as certain references in the letters of Matisse and Derain make clear. Several parallels between the Van Gogh letter extracts and Matisse's 1908 "Notes d'un Peintre" are drawn. Part II comprises an attempt to explore the concerns of contemporary artists in Paris through an examination of a survey published by Charles Morice in the fall of 1905. Part III involves a detailed analysis of the impact of Van Gogh's oeuvre on Matisse, Derain and Vlaminck. It is demonstrated that Van Gogh's heightened colour, active brushstrokes, graphic work, dynamic compositions, subject matter, ability to assimilate and transform the ideas of others, psychological intensity, and devotion to his work, were variously of great importance to Matisse, Derain and Vlaminck up to 1906.