The element that most interested the fauves was

Fauvism is the style of les Fauves, a group of early twentieth-century modern artists whose works emphasized painterly qualities and strong color over the representational or realistic values retained by Impressionism.

Explanation:

Following Post-Impressionism, the subject matter became about pure vivid color and bold distinctive brushwork.  

Greatly influenced by the color of van Gogh and flatness of Gauguin

Interested in color's optical effects

Developed in France. First new artistic style of the 20th century

Emphasized the expressive potential of color, not based on an object's natural appearance

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