Synchromism Art Movement

Synchromism paintings feature harmoniously balanced colors and a feeling of movement. It is believed that synchromist paintings evoke similar feelings and sensations as music. This is a basic tenet of the synchromism art movement. As such, these paintings make wonderfully pleasing additions to any modern art collection.

Founded in 1912 by Morgan Russell and Stanton MacDonald-Wright, synchromism was an art movement based no the idea that sound and color are phenomena that are similar in the way that the individual experiences and perceives them. Movement as well as organization of color into ‘color scales’ are the ways in which synchromism pieces correlate to musical art forms.

A basic tenet of synchromism is that color can be arranged or orchestrated in much the same way that notes of a symphony are arranged by composers. This harmonious arrangement of colors and shapes produces experiential results similar to that of listening to well balanced orchestral compositions.

Artists of the synchromism art movement believed that by painting in color scales could evoke sensations that were very musical in nature. Typically, synchromism pieces feature a strong rhythmic form or forms that then advance toward complexity in form and hue, moving in a particular direction.

In many cases, such explosion of color using color scales pours out in a radial pattern. It is most common for synchromism art works to have some sort of central vortex that bursts outward with color, into complex color harmonies.

The first painting to be dubbed a synchromism work, was Morgan Russell’s ‘Synchromy in Green’ which was exhibited in Paris at the Paris Salon des Independants in the year 1913. That same year, the first exhibition featuring primarily synchromist works by MacDonald-Wright and Russell was held in Munich, Germany. Following the synchromist exhibition in Munich, there were exhibits in both Paris and New York.

These first synchromist pieces were some of the first non-objective abstract paintings found in American art. These later became better known under the label of ‘avante-garde’. In this way, synchromism was the first American avant garde art movement that gained attention internationally.

Synchromism has been compared and contrasted to Orphism. Orphism refers to paintings that relate to the Greek god Orpheus, the symbol of song, the arts and the lyre. Though Orphism is rooted in cubism, this movement moved toward a lyrical abstraction that was more pure, in the sense that this form of painting was about synthesizing a sensation of bright colors.

Though there is little doubt that Orphism was an influence to later Synchromism, Synchromists would argue that it is an entirely unique art form. As Stanton MacDonald-Wright said, “synchromism has nothing to do with orphism and anybody who has read the first catalogue of synchromism … would realize that we poked fun at orphism.”

Several other American painters have been known to experiment with synchromism. Whether synchromism was a branch of orphism or its own unique art form, there is little doubt that the harmonious use of color and movement based composition inspired many artists and art forms. Among these artists were Andrew Dasburg, Thomas Hart Benton and Patrick Henry Bruce.

Though the majority of Thomas Hart Benton’s works centered on regionalism and murals, there was also a strong flair of synchromism. Benton’s interest and incorporation of synchromism was due mainly from having studied with synchromism artists such as Stanton MacDonald-Wright and Diego Rivera.

Four Point Consultant Image

 

 
Translate Page Into German Translate Page Into French Translate Page Into Italian Translate Page Into Portuguese Translate Page Into Spanish Translate Page Into Japanese Translate Page Into Korean

More Articles

 

Search This Site

 

 

 

Products And Downloads



 

Free Videos

More Articles And News

 

Minimalism Movement And Art Buying

... nature. Speaking on Minimalism now, the ideas that made this movement unique relied heavily upon the work being stripped down to the barest fundamental aspects, and laying bare those integral parts of self-expression. Many pieces of work other than visual art has been affected by these ideals of minimalism, ... 

Read Full Article  


Neoclassicism Absorbs Classical Inspirations

... elements into new works of art. It does not recreate styles of art from scratch, but instead shows the artists control over a particular body of classical works. By drawing from the classics of the past, Neoclassicism was paying tribute to eras of awareness that perhaps slipped away, but to regain some ... 

Read Full Article  


Precisionism - Industrialization And Modernization

... superflat styles of art, and became the means through which the artists could further critique their own culture through a more satirical lens. When choosing a stimulating piece by these artists, it may be a more invigorating exercise to find some of those other artists to whom these later artists owe ... 

Read Full Article  


Childrens Art Paintings

... the minimalist style this homeowner had that left me puzzled. The children s art paintings that I ended up choosing for the hallway were all from the same artist. The artist specialized in mini paintings and they were all so simple and beautiful. They actually fit with the owner s style. I had each painting ... 

Read Full Article  


Surrealism In The Art World

... one can come to realize the appeal and effect that the dreamy state of being has had on the art as a whole, and a person can come to grasp a more personal aspect to these unique interpretations of some of the issues that affect us today. Art is constantly being redefined from within, and it is solely ... 

Read Full Article  

 

 


Boston Globe

A broad brush
Boston Globe
Q. You just started as president of the School of the Museum of Fine Arts this month, having been president and CEO of the San Francisco Art ...
MFA Installs Iconic Sargent In New WingWBUR

all 2 news articles »


From Your Kitchen to Michigan Avenue: Refrigerators and Art Converge
PR Newswire (press release)
The display, which runs through September 15, features recycled refrigerators that have been transformed into works of art. Fine Art Fridges depicts themes ...

and more »


U. of U. fine art museum names executive director
Salt Lake Tribune
... the U.'s College of Fine Arts. Management Consultants for the Arts, based in Stamford, Conn., was hired to conduct a national search for the position. ...

and more »


Morton Fine Art to celebrate permanent home on Florida Avenue NW
Washington Post
On Friday from 6 to 10 pm, her business Morton Fine Art will host a free opening reception to celebrate its permanent home at 1781 Florida Ave. ...


School of Visual Arts Presents Several Exhibits for August
Broadway World
"That's Just It" is an exhibition of painting, drawing, sculpture, photography, video and mixed-media work by recent graduates of the MFA Fine Arts ...


Photo District News

The Signature Image: A Fine-Art Photographer Looking for New Gallery ...
Photo District News
Recently PDNonline connected three photographers with industry experts in three categories—commercial/editorial, fine-art, wedding/portraiture—who ...

and more »


Review: 'Show of Hands' offers plenty of substance at the hands of the ...
Seattle Times
... including the Tacoma Art Museum, Seattle Art Museum, Museum of Northwest Art and Martin-Zambito Fine Art. You can learn about individual artists and ...

and more »


Invitational show draws best of the best in art
NorthJersey.com
"It's so great that right here in Ridgewood we have a quality venue for exceptionally fine art and fine art instruction," said Gibson. ...

and more »


Aspiring artists and afficionados can brush up on their knowledge.
Leighton Buzzard Today
THE b Gallery showcases work from talented emerging artists in a dedicated Members Gallery alongside a Fine Art Gallery featuring works by respected names ...
Visual artsGoErie.com
Artists 'Making an Impression' in print and moreThe Daily News of Newburyport
Our Publication NetworkPonte Vedra Recorder
Bradenton Herald -Toledo Blade
all 16 news articles »


Gretchen Dietrich Named Executive Director of the Utah Museum of Fine Arts
Art Daily
Raymond Tymas-Jones, associate vice president for the arts and dean of the College of Fine Arts at the University of Utah, says of Dietrich, ...