Naïve art
- See also Neo-primitivism.
Naïve art is created by untrained artists. It is characterized by simplicity and a lack of the elements or qualities found in the art of formally trained artists. (See also, outsider art, with which it bears many similarities.)
The term naïve art presumes the existence (by contrast) of an academy and of a generally accepted educated manner of art creation, most often painting. In practice, however, there are schools of naïve artists. Over time it has become an acceptable style.
The characteristics of naïve art are an awkward relationship to the formal qualities of painting; for example, difficulties with drawing and perspective that result in a charmingly awkward and often refreshing vision; strong use of pattern, unrefined colour, and simplicity rather than subtlety are all supposed markers of naïve art. It has become such a popular and recognisable style that many examples could be called pseudo-naïve.
Primitive art is another term often applied to the art of those without formal training. This is distinguished from the self-conscious movement primitivism. Another term related to, but not completely synonymous with, naïve art, is folk art.
Naïve artists
18th cent
- Edward Hicks (1780-1849)
- Justus DaLee (1793-1878)
19th cent
- Ferdinand Cheval, known as 'le facteur Cheval' (1836-1924)
- Cándido López (1840-1902)
- Henri Rousseau (1844-1910)
- Alfred Wallis (1855-1942)
- Grandma Moses, Anna Mary Robertson 1860-1961)
- Louis Vivin (1861-1936)
- Niko Pirosmani (1862-1918)
- Séraphine Louis, known as 'Séraphine de Senlis' (1864-1942)
- André Bauchant (1873-1958)
- Camille Bombois (1883-1970)
- L. S. Lowry (1887-1976)
- Horace Pippin (1888-1946)
- Henry Darger (1892-1973)
- Nykifor (1895-1968)
- Miguel García Vivancos (1895-1972)
- Shalom Moskovitz, known as 'Shalom of Z’fat' (1895-1980)
20th cent
- Janko Brašić (1906-1994)
- Nina Barka (Marie Smirsky) (1908-1986)
- Franjo Mraz (1910-1981)
- Ivan Generalić (1914-1992)
- Howard Finster (1916-2001)
- Markey Robinson (1918-1999)
- Ivan Rabuzin (1921-)
- Ferenc Kalmar (1928-)
- Antonio Ligabue (1899-1965)
- Chaibia Talal (1929-2004)
- George Fredericks (1929-)
- Bryan Pearce (1929-)
- Ivan Lacković Croata (1932-)
- Katya Medvedeva (1937-)
- Radi Nedelchev (1938-)
- Mario Perez (1943-)
- Derold Page (1947-)
- Claudia Vecchiarelli (1978-)
- Dragutin Aleksić
- Ilija Bašičević Bosilj
- Mile Davidović
- Franjo Filipović
- Ilija Filipović
- Dragan Gaži
- Josip Generalić
- Dušan Jevtović
- Franjo Klopotan
- Jan Martens (1943-)
- Milan Rašić
- Jeshayahu Scheinfeld
- Sava Sekulić
- Milan Stanisavljević
- Ivan Večenaj
- Bogosav Živković
Museums/Galleries
Canada
Croatia
France
- Le Musée International d’Art Naïf Anatole Jakovsky, Nice
- Information about Anatole Jakovsky, Art critic/patron
- Musée d'Art Naïf Max Fourny, Halles St-Pierre, Paris
- International Museum of Naive Art, Vicq (near Versailles)
- Museum of Naive Art, Beraut (near Toulouse)
Germany
Israel
Italy
Poland
Russia
Serbia
USA