Step 1: Concept
The term "Post-Impressionism" refers to a group of artists who worked at the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century. These artists built upon the foundations laid by Impressionists but moved beyond their limitations, often incorporating more symbolic or expressive elements into their work.
Step 2: Meaning
Post-Impressionism was a reaction against the strict adherence to naturalistic depiction in Impressionism. Artists like Vincent van Gogh, Paul Cézanne, and Paul Gauguin were key figures who pioneered this movement by exploring new ways of representing reality through personal expression and symbolism.
Step 3: Analysis
Romanticism (Option A) was a movement that came before the 19th century, focusing on emotion and individualism but not specifically tied to the period in question.
Impressionism (Option B), while influential at the end of the 19th century, did not encompass the entire period from late 1800s to early 1900s. It was more focused on capturing light and movement quickly through direct observation.
Post-Impressionism (Option C) fits perfectly as it describes the artists who followed Impressionists but sought to expand upon their techniques, often with a greater emphasis on form and structure.
Neo-Impressionism (Option D), also known as Pointillism or Divisionism, was another movement that emerged in the late 19th century but focused more on scientific approaches to color and light rather than the expressive qualities emphasized by Post-Impressionists.
Step 4: Conclusion
The group of painters working at the end of the 19th century and the start of the 20th century were known as Post-Impressionists. This movement marked a significant shift from the earlier Impressionist style, emphasizing personal expression and symbolic representation in art.
Final Answer: (C)