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Luminism is a late-impressionist orneo-impressionist style in painting which devotes great attention to light effects.
The term has been used for the style of theBelgian (mainlyFlemish) painters such asEmile Claus andThéo van Rysselberghe and their followersAdriaan Jozef Heymans,Anna Boch,Évariste Carpentier,Guillaume Van Strydonck,Leon de Smet [nl],Jenny Montigny,Anna De Weert, George Morren,Rodolphe De Saegher,Emmanuel Viérin,Modest Huys,Georges Buysse [nl],Marcel Jefferys [nl],Yvonne Serruys andJuliette Wytsman, as well as for the earlypointillist work of theDutch paintersJan Toorop,Leo Gestel,Jan Sluijters, andPiet Mondriaan.
After Emile Claus died in 1930, his pupil, Anna de Weert continued to paint in the luminist style at her studio near Ghent.[1]
In theSpanish painting the luminism term orValencian luminism used for the work of a group of prominent Spanish painters led byJoaquín Sorolla,Ignacio Pinazo Camarlench, Teodoro Andreu, Francisco Benítez Mellado andVicente Castell.
The Belgian and Dutch styles have little in common: Emile Claus's work is still close to that of the great French impressionists, especiallyClaude Monet, whereas Dutch luminism, characterized by the use of large color patches, is closer tofauvism.
Luminism evolved in the late nineteenth century in Europe as a form of Impressionism for the regional areas. It was especially pronounced in Belgium and Spain, where painters attempted to capture light and to define its particular manifestation in the local atmosphere. Belgian paintersÉmile Claus andThéo van Rysselberghe brought together the color and technique of Impressionism with the more subdued tonalities of the northern sky, evolving what came to be called theSchool of Latem. Their works were often of country scenes, bathed in gentle daylight and tranquil feeling. On the other hand, in Spain,Joaquín Sorolla became the head of the Valencian Luminist movement interpreting the intense Mediterranean sunlight playing on the water, the people, and the sand. His paintings focused on movement, light, and the exuberant energy of outdoor existence, which gave Luminism a particular southern warmth.[2][3]
By the first decade of the twentieth century, Luminism was an established artistic vogue that exulted brightness, natural light, and serene arrangement. Akin to Impressionism, it had a more subdued and restrained, Lucien-period sensibility, eschewing the disintegration of form which appeared in later avant-garde styles. The movement captured the aspirations of modern life as well as the balance between nature and human activity. It was in Belgium and Spain where it became an established expression of national and regional identity, fusing technical rigour with emotional brilliance. The focus on atmosphere and the poetic possibilities of light that Luminism represented would continue to impact European landscape and portraiture painting between Impressionism and the developing aesthetics of modern realism.[4]
Luminism had a strong influence on Belgium art in the early 20th century, which changed the way artists viewed and conveyed “light color and atmosphere” through art pieces. The Belgian artist got inspiration from French Impressionist artists and developed his own style.[5] They combined techniques from France with local artistic traditions. These connections create uniqueImpressionism called Luminism, which focuses on bright and colorful and nuanced light to build up nature and mood in the picture.[6]
Artists from Latem School[7] played an important role in development.[8] They used the Luminism technique to express symbolic ideas and personal emotions, creatinglandscapes where light helps bring feeling and structure to the picture.
The influence of Luminism continued to appear in late art, such asExpressionism and the work in theNervia group, where artists continued to explore how light, color, and lines affect the meaning of their work. Luminism had a big influence on Belgian painting and left a long-lasting mark on the country’s art.[9]
Belgian Luminism is adapted from the concept of French Impressionism[10] to give this art form a more unique and personal style, mainly focusing on light to express the artist’s feelings.[11] The main characteristic is the control of light, which makes the light appear smooth and realistic.[12] Artists focus on natural light such as dawn, reflections on the water’s surface, or light fog.[13]
Another characteristic is the focus on the surface of objects. Artists in this style of art make the surface show brushstrokes clearly, unlike Impressionism, which highlights visible brush marks. Other characteristics include calm, balanced, and still compositions. The atmosphere feels quiet, pure, and motionless, as if time has stopped. Finally, Belgian Luminism usually depicts natural scenes such as lakes, mountains, and rivers.[14]
Belgian Luminism can be separated into four aspects that differentiate it from Impressionism.
Artists are mostly used in five techniques such as
In Belgium,Émile Claus became the main exponent of Luminism, applying Impressionist methods to the colder light of the North. His works such as The Beet Harvest (1890) and Sunny Meadows (c.1900) are typical examples of the bright and cool colors and peaceful mood of the style.
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