Synthetism

A term associated with the style of symbolic representation of observed reality favoured by Paul Gauguin and his followers at Pont-Aven in the 1880s, whereby the artwork, rather than offering naturalistic representation, synthesizes the subject-matter with the emotions of the artist and aesthetic concerns. An exhibition of Synth??tisme was mounted by the Pont-Aven artists in 1889 and the Groupe Synth??tiste, including Gauguin and Emile Bernard, was founded in 1891. Another follower of the movement, Paul S??rusier, founded the Nabis group [see glossary]. Source: Tate Modern.