tachism
C2/UncommonFormal/Academic
Definition
Meaning
A style of abstract painting that emerged in the 1940s-50s, characterized by spontaneous, irregular brushstrokes and blotches of color.
A French art movement (tachisme) seen as the European equivalent of Abstract Expressionism, emphasizing intuition, emotion, and the physical act of painting over form or representation.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily used in art history and criticism. Derives from French 'tache' (spot, stain). Often discussed in relation to or contrasted with American Abstract Expressionism and Action Painting.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term is used identically in both dialects within art discourse, though British texts may more frequently use the French 'tachisme'.
Connotations
Conveys a specific, mid-20th century European avant-garde movement. May carry connotations of being more lyrical or less aggressive than some American Abstract Expressionism.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in general language; confined to specialist art historical writing.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Tachism] emerged in [post-war Europe].[Artist X] is associated with [tachism].[The painting] exemplifies [tachism].Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Not applicable.
Academic
Used in art history papers, museum catalogs, and critical essays to categorize and analyze post-war European abstract art.
Everyday
Virtually never used.
Technical
Specific term within art criticism and history.
Examples
By Part of Speech
noun
British English
- The gallery's new exhibition explores the legacy of British tachism in the 1950s.
- His early work shows a clear debt to Continental tachism.
American English
- The museum acquired a major work of tachism for its modern collection.
- Her thesis compares American Abstract Expressionism and French tachism.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Tachism was an important art movement in Europe after the Second World War.
- Artists using tachism wanted to express feelings directly with colour and brushstrokes.
- While often viewed as the European counterpart to Abstract Expressionism, tachism possessed a distinctively lyrical and intuitive sensibility.
- The critic argued that the artist's move towards tachism represented a liberation from formal constraints.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a TACHometer measuring speed – TACHism is about the speed and spontaneity of the brushstroke, creating 'taches' or spots of colour.
Conceptual Metaphor
PAINTING IS AN AUTOMATIC/GESTURAL ACT. THE CANVAS IS A FIELD FOR EMOTIONAL DISCHARGE.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'ташизм' (a transliteration). There is no direct common Russian equivalent; it is best described as 'ташизм (европейский абстрактный экспрессионизм)'.
Common Mistakes
- Misspelling as 'tachnism' or 'tatchism'.
- Using it as a general term for any abstract art.
- Confusing it exclusively with drip painting (which is more specific to artists like Pollock).
Practice
Quiz
Tachism is most closely associated with which of the following?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, they are parallel movements. Tachism is the European (primarily French) manifestation of similar ideas—emphasizing intuition, gesture, and abstraction—that flourished in America as Abstract Expressionism. There is overlap and cross-influence.
Key figures include Jean-Paul Riopelle, Pierre Soulages, Hans Hartung, Wols (Alfred Otto Wolfgang Schulze), and Georges Mathieu.
It derives from the French 'tache', meaning 'spot', 'blot', or 'stain', referring to the characteristic dabs and patches of colour in the paintings.
Almost exclusively in academic art history texts, museum wall labels for mid-20th century European art, auction catalogs, and specialized art criticism.