Influence Of Realism And Impressionism

Although at first glance, Realism and Impressionism appear to be completely separate movements in 19th century art, they in fact were both bred as a response to the new order of Europe that had evolved as a result of the marks made by both the Industrial Revolution and a series of European continental wars. Realist painters and Impressionist painters alike faced controversy in challenging the status quo of the Salons, and took risks to no longer romanticize drastic changes within society caused by industrialization, but instead acknowledge them head-on. Edouard Manet in particular exemplified the gradual transitions from Realism to Impressionism and even to Post-Impressionism. His then-radical methods of integrating of scientific observation, new roles of women, and political turmoil into his paintings earned him both the vilification of an older generation and the admiration and veneration of a newer one. Through his innovation of existing painting techniques and his encouragement of later revolutionary painters, Manet helped transform the canvas of the European art world in the mid 1800s.

Edouard Manet considered himself a realist and disliked associating his name with the impressionist movement, which is why it may be ironic that today, Manet is considered one of the forefathers of the Age of Impressionism. Just as Manet came onto the world stage of art in the mid 1800s, a revolution was beginning of which he was to become a part.

The Realist movement, which evolved from the stark sacrifices made during industrialization, sought to show the harsh conditions of workers, basing their philosophies on the new “positivist” ideas pushed by Auguste Comte and other French philosophers. “All real knowledge rests on facts,” said Comte,...

... middle of paper ...

...an their revolutionary artistic spirits. Both were devout socialists,

Pissarro eventually became recognized as one of the founders of Post-Impressionism, along with Georges Seurat and Paul Signac. Post-Impressionism continued in the same vein as Impressionism, applying the application of color on canvas now with strict and rigorous rules as opposed to simple “improvisation” (Schneider 109). Pissarro, for instance, utilized petits points, or pointillism, to create the distinct visual style in his paintings.

Edouard Manet signaled a new age in European painting, with his distinctive, bold style both in subject matter and technique. His revolutionary compositions of the female figure and politically charged scenes were integral to the transition from the Realist movement to the Impressionist movement in terms of both painting technique and method of approaching art.