0.0(0)

impressionismmmm

Impressionism

Overview

  • 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.

Historical Context

  • 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.

Artistic Reaction

  • 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.


Beginnings

Contextual Background

  • 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.

Formation of Impressionist Group

  • 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.


Techniques and Styles

Key Artistic Techniques

  • 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.

Reaction to Photography

  • 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.


Notable Artists and Influences

Core Impressionists

  • 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.

Influential Artists on Impressionism

  • 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.


Legacy

Influence on Future Movements

  • 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).

Music and Literature

  • 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.

Notable Post-Impressionists

  • Vincent van Gogh: Expanded on Impressionist color and emotion.

  • Paul Cézanne: Developed a stylized approach emphasizing structure in painting.

0.0(0)
robot