The History and Defining Characteristics of Impressionism
Impressionism was a revolutionary art movement that began in Paris, France, during the 1870s. It fundamentally shifted Western art away from the rigid, traditional styles favored by the established Paris Salon and Academic art world. This movement championed the painting of modern life and perceived reality as opposed to classical or mythological subjects.
Historical Origins
The path to Impressionism was driven by frustration. Artists whose work featured loose brushwork, bright colors, and everyday scenes were frequently rejected by the official Salon. In response, a group of artists, including Claude Monet, Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Edgar Degas, and Camille Pissarro, organized their own independent exhibition in 1874.
The name "Impressionism" was initially a derogatory insult. A critic, Louis Leroy, coined the term after seeing Monet’s famous painting, Impression, Sunrise. Leroy meant to suggest the works were unfinished or merely a spontaneous "impression," but the artists adopted the name to define their approach.
Defining Characteristics
Impressionist painters sought to capture the fleeting moment and the direct visual sensation of a scene, prioritizing perception over perfect detail.
En Plein Air: Artists moved their studios outdoors (literally, "in the open air") to capture the immediate, changing effects of light and atmosphere. The invention of pre-packaged paint tubes made this outdoor work much more practical.
Light and Color: The central focus was the depiction of natural light and its impact on color. Instead of mixing colors on the palette to create subtle tones, Impressionists often applied pure, unmixed colors side-by-side on the canvas. The colors were intended to be optically blended by the viewer's eye.
Visible Brushwork: Paint was applied rapidly in distinct dabs, strokes, and commas. This visible texture left the brushwork spontaneous and deliberately unfinished, prioritizing the speed required to capture momentary effects.
Subject Matter: The focus was on contemporary, middle-class Parisian life, including landscapes, cityscapes, train stations, busy boulevards, café scenes, and portraits.
Key Impressionists
The artists most associated with developing and defining the style include:
Claude Monet: Known as the quintessential Impressionist, famous for his series paintings (like the Haystacks or Water Lilies) that explored a single subject under different light conditions.
Pierre-Auguste Renoir: Celebrated for his joyful depictions of people, leisure activities, and intimate portraits, all rendered with vibrant color and soft edges.
Edgar Degas: Known for his dynamic compositions, especially scenes of ballet dancers and theater, captured using unusual, cropped angles that suggest a snapshot or photograph.
Mary Cassatt: A major American artist in the movement, highly regarded for her insightful and tender depictions of the private lives of women and children.