What was the name of the French art movement that followed Impressionism?

The art movement that followed Impressionism in France was called Post-Impressionism. Post-Impressionism was not a cohesive movement or style; instead, it encompassed a variety of artistic approaches by individuals who shared a common interest in moving beyond the limitations of Impressionism. Artists associated with Post-Impressionism sought to bring a greater sense of structure, order, and personal expression to their work. Some notable Post-Impressionist artists include Paul Cézanne, Vincent van Gogh, Paul Gauguin, and Georges Seurat.

Impressionism, which developed in the late 19th century, was characterized by a focus on capturing the transient effects of light and color, often through plein air painting and with visible brushstrokes. Impressionist artists aimed to recreate the impression of a scene rather than a detailed, realistic depiction. Post-Impressionism emerged as a reaction to this focus on optical effects and the fleeting impression of a moment. Post-Impressionist artists extended the Impressionist approach but also emphasized geometric forms, used unnatural or arbitrary color for expressive effect, and often explored more symbolic and emotionally laden content. Post-Impressionism can be seen as paving the way towards the development of various modern art movements, including Cubism, Fauvism, and Expressionism, by breaking away from the naturalistic constraints of Impressionism and exploring new artistic possibilities.