Naïve art
- See also Primitivism and Neo-primitivism
Naïve art is characterized by a childlike simplicity. (See also outsider art, to which it bears many similarities.) It is a gross oversimplification to assume that Naïve art is created by people with little or no formal art training.
Characteristics
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. Difficulties with drawing and perspective that result in a charmingly awkward and often refreshing vision, strong use of pattern, unrefined color, and simplicity rather than subtlety are all supposed markers of naïve art. It has, however, become such a popular and recognizable style that many examples could be called pseudo-naïve.
Whereas naïve art ideally describes the work of an artist who did not receive a formal education in an art school or academy, for example Henri Rousseau or Alfred Wallis, 'pseudo naïve' or 'faux naïve' art describes the work of an artist working in a more imitative or self-conscious mode and whose work can be seen as more imitative than original.
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 century
- Edward Hicks (1780-1849)
- Oluf Braren (1787-1839)
- Justus DaLee (1793-1878)
19th century
- Denys Corbet (1826-1910)
- Nikola Obrasopissez (1827-1911)
- 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)
- John Kane (1860-1934)
- Louis Vivin (1861-1936)
- Niko Pirosmani (1862-1918)
- Séraphine Louis, known as 'Séraphine de Senlis' (1864-1942)
- André Bauchant (1873-1958)
- Arnold Kramer (1882-1976)
- 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)
- Jules Lefranc (1887-1972)
- Teofil Ociepka (1891-1978)
- Bárbaro Rivas (1893-1967) Venezuela
- Ilija Bašičević (1895-1972)
- Shalom Moskovitz, known as 'Shalom of Z’fat' (1895-1980)
- Antonio Ligabue (1899-1965)
20th century
- Petar Grgec (1933-2006) Croatia
- Nikifor (1895-1968)
- Antonio Ligabue (1899-1965)
- Krsto Hegedušić (1901-1975)
- Petronėlė Gerlikienė (1905-1979)
- Janko Brašić (1906-1994)
- Stan Ioan Pătraş (1908—1977) Romania
- Nina Barka (Marie Smirsky) (1908-1986)
- Konstantin Rodko (1908-1995)
- Franjo Mraz (1910-1981)
- Arthur Villeneuve (1910-1990)
- Władysław Rząb (1910-1992)
- Ivan Generalić (1914-1992)
- Andre Demonchy (1914-2003)
- Norman Neasom (1915-)
- Howard Finster (1916-2001)
- Markey Robinson (1918-1999)
- Joan Gillchrest (1918-2008)
- Ivan Vecenaj (1920-)
- Feliciano Carvallo (1920-) Venezuela
- Ivan Rabuzin (1921-)
- Fred Yates (1922-2008)
- Frank Bentley (1941-2006)
- Frédéric Bruly Bouabré (1923-)
- Noël Barker (1924-)
- Zuzana Chalupová (1925–2001)
- Năforniță Aurora (1925 - 2006) Romania
- Ferenc Kalmar (1928-)
- Chaibia Talal (1929-2004)
- Bryan Pearce (1929-2007)
- Dragan Gazi (1930–83)
- Crisaldo Morais Crisaldo d'Assunção Morais) (1932-1997)
- Bunleua Sulilat (1932-1996)
- Ivan Lacković Croata (1932-84)
- Mijo Kovacic (1935-)
- Martin Hegedusic (1923-)
- Victor Millán (1929-1991) Venezuela
- Ivan Hegedusic (1949-1985)
- Manuel Lepe Macedo (1936-1984)
- Martin Mehkek (1936-)
- Katya Medvedeva (1937-)
- Radi Nedelchev (1938-)
- Bob Justin (1941-)
- Mario Perez (1943-)
- Maurice (Jan Martens) (1943-) Holland
- Derold Page (1947-)
- Brenno Benatti (1948-)
- Mladen Kefelja (1949-)
- Mary Michael Shelley (1950-)
- Ferreira Louis Marius (1953-)
- Helen Elliott (1964 -)
- Peter Smith (1967-)
- Navitrolla (1970-) Estonia
- Claudia Vecchiarelli (1978-)
- Mechtild Rehmann (1943 - ) Germany
Museums/Galleries
Brazil
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)
France Midi Canal
- Ecluse de l’Aiguille One man's work on the Canal du Midi
Germany
Israel
Italy
Japan
Poland
Portugal
Russia
Serbia
Spain
USA