impressionismmmm

Definition: Impressionism was a 19th-century art movement originating in France that emphasized capturing a momentary impression of a scene.
Origin of the Term: The term "Impressionism" was coined by critic Louis Leroy after viewing Claude Monet's painting, Impression, Sunrise (1872).
Characteristics:
- Small, visible brush strokes.
- Open composition with emphasis on light's changing qualities.
- Focus on everyday subject matter.
- Inclusion of movement to capture human experience.
- Unconventional angles in perspective.

Rise in Popularity: Gained prominence through independent exhibitions and faced initial hostility from traditional art critics.
Influences: Early Impressionists drew inspiration from painters like Eugène Delacroix, and early plein-air painting.
Notable Techniques: Utilized broken brush strokes with pure colors, capturing transient effects of sunlight in outdoor settings.

Departure from Tradition: Broke away from the formal standards upheld by the Académie des Beaux-Arts, which valued polished historical and portrait works.
Salon Challenges: The rejection of works such as Manet's The Luncheon on the Grass led to the creation of the Salon des Refusés, showcasing the new style.

Académie des Beaux-Arts: Dominated the French art scene with conservative standards favoring historical and religious themes.
Emerging Artists: A younger generation sought to explore bright, portray contemporary life rather than classical themes.

Core Artists: Claude Monet, Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Alfred Sisley, Frédéric Bazille, Camille Pissarro, Paul Cézanne, and Armand Guillaumin collaborated frequently.
First Independent Exhibition: Organized by Monet and others in 1874, which received mixed reviews and introduced the term "Impressionists" to the public.

Brushwork: Characterized by short, thick strokes that capture scenes quickly, often applied impasto.
Color Application: Colors placed side-by-side, emphasizing optical mixing in the viewer’s eye instead of blending on canvas.
Use of Natural Light: Captured fresh depictions of light, with emphasis on how colors reflected from objects, avoiding black paint and creating vibrant shadows.

Influence of Photography: The rise of photography prompted an emphasis on subjective perception, spontaneity, and capturing fleeting moments in daily life.
Composition Techniques: The Impressionists’ compositions often resembled snapshots, blurring the lines between the subject and the background.

Claude Monet: Most prolific of Impressionists, known for capturing light and nature.
Pierre-Auguste Renoir: Focused on portraying beauty and joyful moments.
Edgar Degas: Known for his depictions of dancers and public scenes, emphasized drawing.
Berthe Morisot and Mary Cassatt: Female artists who brought new perspectives within the movement.

Jean-Baptiste-Camille Corot: Built a bridge between traditional techniques and Impressionism.
Eugène Boudin: Encouraged plein-air painting.
Japanese Art: Influenced composition and perspective among Impressionists, evident in Degas's work.

Artistic Evolution: Impressionism laid the groundwork for various subsequent movements like Post-Impressionism, Fauvism, and Cubism.
Adaptation Beyond France: Spread internationally, influencing American Impressionists and a host of artists worldwide, creating localized styles (e.g., Australian Impressionism).

Musical Impressionism: Characterized by suggestion and atmosphere, exemplified by composers like Claude Debussy and Maurice Ravel.
Literary Influence: The narrative style adopting sensory impressions resembling visual Impressionism.

Vincent van Gogh: Expanded on Impressionist color and emotion.
Paul Cézanne: Developed a stylized approach emphasizing structure in painting.