Fauve

[ fohv ]

noun

1. (sometimes lowercase) any of a group of French artists of the early 20th century whose works are characterized chiefly by the use of vivid colors in immediate juxtaposition and contours usually in marked contrast to the color of the area defined.

Fauve

/ fov /

noun

1. one of a group of French painters prominent from 1905, including Matisse, Vlaminck, and Derain, characterized by the use of bright colours and simplified forms

adjective

1. often not capital of this group or its style

Derived Forms

• ˈFauvism, noun
• ˈFauvist, nounadjective

Other Words From

• Fauvism noun
• Fauvist noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of Fauve¹

1910–15; < French: wild beast, noun use of fauve wild, literally, tawny < Germanic; fallow ²

Word History and Origins

Origin of Fauve¹

C20: from French, literally: wild beast, alluding to the violence of colours, etc

Example Sentences

In managing the wild instincts of the scarce manageable bête fauve my powers would revel.

From Project Gutenberg

Fauve is always used of what is dark and gloomy, just as vermeil is always applied to what is bright and pleasant.

From Project Gutenberg

Its mass is irregular, its colour fauve; it is hard and compact, and pierced with small holes.

From Project Gutenberg