Artists of The Impressionism Movement

Impressionism was born from the urge to break free from the constraints of Art forms in the 19th century. Many studies under mentors who passed on the traditional styles painting form and figure, but some spoke of revolutionizing the art world. World events and public attitude toward art allowed impressionists to break free from the mainstream French Art scene.

Impressionism was initially forged out of a love for nature. The artists were interested in depicting reality as they saw beauty in even the mundane facets of life. The brush strokes and color changes are obvious and the choppy effect sometimes has to be viewed at a distance to determine the picture’s message. When viewed closely, the artist’s emotion is easily discernable with their brush strokes. When viewing impressionist work, it is almost as if you are viewing a memory of what the artist saw. As it loses its accuracy over time, it becomes less focused and sometimes more vibrant in color.

A group of up and coming painters developed the Impressionist art form in France in the late 1800’s. This group of painters, who called themselves “Intransigents”, consisted of Bazille, Monet, Sisley, and Renoir. Fed up with imitating the rigid style of those they studied under, they met on their way home from the studio discussing revolutionizing the art world. They longed to break from the mold. Édouard Manet’s painting of Luncheon in the Grass in 1863 became their inspiration to pursue the artistic form. Manet’s painting was an adaptation of Raphael’s engraving “Judgment of Paris” Years later, as they developed their craft, the need to display their art became apparent. At the time, the Salon was the only contemporary art museum, which was also an artist’s ticket durin...

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...ssionism revealed their craft at an opportune time, as the war had ended many were looking for something other than what the Salon was offering. Though they were criticized and rejected by some, they still pursued their craft influencing painters long after they deceased.

Works Cited

Brodskaya, Nathalia. Impressionism. New York: Parkstone International, 2012.

Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia. Impressionism, in painting. 6th. Columbia University Press, September 2013.

O'Donovan, Leo J. "A promise of happiness -- origins of Impressionism." America. Vol. 171 . no. 17. November 26, 1994. 16-19.

Rewald, John. The History of Impressionism. 4th. New York, New York: The Museum of Modern Art, 1973.

Tucker, Paul. "The First Impressionist Exhibition and Monet's Impression, Sunrise: A Tale of Timing, Commerce, and Patriotism." Art History 7, no. 4 (December 1984): 465-476.