Louis Vauxcelles (22 March 1870 – 19 March 1943) was a French art critic and journalist, best known for coining the terms “Fauvism” and “Cubism,” which became defining labels for two major avant‑garde movements in early‑20th‑century art.
Early Life and Education
Born in Le Puy‑en‑Velay, France, Vauxcelles was the son of a civil servant. He studied literature and the arts in Paris, though detailed records of his formal education are limited.
Career
Journalistic Work
Vauxcelles began his professional career as a critic for the newspaper Le Gaulois in the 1890s, later writing for Gil Blas and the influential weekly Le Figaro. His reviews covered painting, sculpture, architecture, and theatrical productions.
Coinage of “Fauvism”
In 1905, while reviewing the Salon d’Automne exhibition, Vauxcelles disparagingly referred to a group of boldly colored works by artists such as Henri Matisse and André Derain as “les fauves” (the “wild beasts”). The nickname was adopted by the artists and the press, solidifying “Fauvism” as the movement’s name.
Coinage of “Cubism”
In 1908, Vauxcelles wrote a critical review of the Salon d’Automne that featured works by Georges Braque, Pablo Picasso, and other emerging artists. He described the paintings as reducing subjects to “geometric schemas, to cubes,” using the French term “cubes.” This observation gave rise to the term “Cubism,” which soon became the standard label for the new style.
Later Contributions
Vauxcelles continued to write extensively on modern art, championing the works of Henri Matisse, Pablo Picasso, and other contemporaries. He authored several books and monographs, including Matisse (1923) and The Beginnings of Contemporary Painting (1932), which documented the evolution of early‑20th‑century art movements.
Influence and Legacy
Vauxcelles’ critical observations played a pivotal role in shaping public and scholarly perception of modern art. By providing concise, memorable labels, he helped crystallize the identities of Fauvism and Cubism, facilitating their recognition in both the art market and academic discourse. His writings remain a primary source for historians studying the period’s artistic transitions.
Personal Life and Death
Vauxcelles married in 1900 and had two children. He lived in Paris for most of his adult life. He died on 19 March 1943 in Paris during the German occupation of France.
Selected Publications
- Matisse (1923) – monograph on Henri Matisse.
- The Beginnings of Contemporary Painting (Les Débuts de la peinture contemporaine, 1932).
- Numerous articles in Le Figaro, Le Gaulois, and Gil Blas.
References
- Richardson, John (1978). A Life of Picasso: The Early Years, 1881–1906. New York: Knopf.
- Spalding, Frances (2001). 20th Century Art: A Critical History. London: Thames & Hudson.
- Vauxcelles, Louis (1923). Matisse. Paris: Éditions de la Revue.
See also
- Fauvism
- Cubism
- Henri Matisse
- Georges Braque
- Pablo Picasso
External Links
- Biography at the Grove Art Online (subscription required)
- Archive of Vauxcelles’ articles in Le Figaro (digital library)