(anonymous)
Impressionism Overview
Definition: A 19th-century art movement initiated by Paris-based artists that gained prominence in the 1870s and 1880s.
Origin of Name: Derived from Claude Monet's painting Impression, Sunrise (1872) which inspired critic Louis Leroy to coin the term in a satirical review.
Characteristics of Impressionist Art:
Small, visible brushstrokes.
Open composition emphasizing light's changing qualities over detail.
Ordinary subject matter with an emphasis on movement.
Unusual visual angles.
Artistic Context
Radical Movement: Early Impressionists ignored academic painting rules, focusing instead on color and light.
En plein air: They painted outdoors to capture transient effects of sunlight, shifting away from indoor studios.
Technique: Emphasized broken brush strokes and mixed colors to create vibrancy instead of smooth blending.
Public Reception: Initially met with hostility, but later recognized for capturing a fresh vision, influencing future art movements like Neo-Impressionism and Cubism.
Historical Background
Académie des Beaux-Arts: Dominant art institution in mid-19th century France that upheld traditional standards, favoring historical and religious subjects.
Response to Salon de Paris: Younger artists faced rejection of their works; key figures like Monet and Renoir became disillusioned with the Académie's standards.
Salon des Refusés (1863): Initiated by Emperor Napoleon III after many works were rejected; this exhibition showcased the new artistic tendencies.
Key Figures in the Movement
Core Group: Monet, Renoir, Sisley, Bazille, Pissarro joined by other artists like Cézanne, Morisot.
Notable Events:
The rejection of Édouard Manet's The Luncheon on the Grass spurred discussions leading to the Salon des Refusés.
Exhibitions: The group organized independent exhibitions starting in 1874, leading to the acceptance of the term "Impressionists."
Impressionist Techniques
Brushstrokes: Short, thick strokes of paint that capture essence over detail.
Color Application: Use of unmixed colors placed side-by-side for optical mixing in the viewer's eye—avoiding black in pure impressions.
Light Effects: Emphasis on natural light reflections and capturing atmospheric effects, including blue shadows reflecting from the sky.
Influences on Impressionism
Previous Artists: Techniques from artists like Eugène Delacroix and Gustave Courbet influenced the movement.
Inspiration from Photography: The advent of photography pushed artists to focus on subjective perceptions of reality rather than precise depictions.
Japanese Art: The influence of Japanese prints introduced asymmetrical compositions and snapshot-like angles.
Major Impressionists
Known figures:
Claude Monet (most prolific, embodiment of aesthetic)
Pierre-Auguste Renoir
Edgar Degas (realist, deeply influenced the group)
Camille Pissarro (showed at all Impressionist exhibitions)
Mary Cassatt (American-born, participated in four exhibitions)
Paul Cézanne (later broke away but shared foundational ideas).
Legacy of Impressionism
Post-Impressionism Development: Originated from Impressionist foundations, artists like Vincent van Gogh, Paul Gauguin, and Georges Seurat began exploring different approaches to color and form.
Continued Influence: Impressionism laid the groundwork for modern movements and shaped artistic expression worldwide.