Most of art history can be traced to the formation of different art movements.
From the drama of theBaroqueto the emotion ofRomanticism, these movements reflect the views of the time.
Then, in the 1870s, a new revolutionary style emerged, calledImpressionism.
Instead of pursuing realism,Impressionist artistsemphasized light, movement, and atmosphere in their portrayals of everyday life.
As a result, their works captured fleeting moments in time.
Want to learn more about Impressionism?
Claude Monet, “Impression, Sunrise,” 1872 (Photo:Musée Marmottan MonetviaWikimedia Commons, Public domain)
Scroll down to see a selection of 15 famous paintings by the masters of this iconic 19th-century style.
Take a tour of Impressionism by learning about these 15 famous paintings.
Its radical style and apt title led to a flurry of negative reviews by local art critics.
Berthe Morisot, “The Cradle,” 1872 (Photo:Musée d’OrsayviaWikimedia Commons, Public domain)
Thus they take leave of reality and enter the realms of idealism.
In the end, however, it was this painting and its reviews that gave Impressionists their name.
He uses an array of expressive brushstrokes in the sky and field to create a windy atmosphere.
Claude Monet, “Woman With a Parasol,” 1875 (Photo:National Gallery of ArtviaWikimedia Commons, Public domain)
People call me the painter of dancing girls, Degas told Parisian art dealer Ambroise Vollard.
The large amount of negative space, cropped figures, and unusual composition suggest Degas was influenced by photography.
It portrays a woman and man at a table in a bar, both of whom appear visibly despondent.
Edgar Degas, “The Dance Class,” 1875 (Photo:Musée d’OrsayviaWikimedia Commons, Public domain)
In front of the woman is a glass of absinthe, which was a popular drink of the time.
The sun-dappled lighting, delicate brushstrokes, and sensual female figures are all emblematic of Renoir’s style.
Originally from America, she moved to Paris to pursue a career in painting.
Edgar Degas, “Place de la Concorde,” 1875 (Photo:Hermitage MuseumviaWikimedia Commons, Public domain)
The asymmetrical composition also demonstrates Degas' influence, who was her teacher for many years.
It also reflects Cassatt’s fascination withJapanese woodblock printsa popular muse for many Impressionists of the time.
As a result, this piece continues the tradition ofbathers in artin the Impressionist style.
Edgar Degas, “L’Absinthe,” 1875–6 (Photo:Musée d’OrsayviaWikimedia Commons, Public domain)
It depicts three women bathing in the foreground while two wash in the background.
Pierre-Auguste Renoir, “Bal du moulin de la Galette,” 1876 (Photo:Musée d’OrsayviaWikimedia Commons, Public domain)
Claude Monet, “La Gare Saint-Lazare,” 1877 (Photo:Musée d’OrsayviaWikimedia Commons, Public domain)
Gustave Caillebotte, “Paris Street; Rainy Day,” 1877 (Photo:Art Institute of ChicagoviaWikimedia Commons, Public domain)
Mary Cassatt, “Little Girl in a Blue Armchair,” 1878 (Photo:National Gallery of ArtviaWikimedia Commons, Public domain)
Pierre-Auguste Renoir, “Luncheon of the Boating Party,” 1880–1 (Photo:The Phillips CollectionviaWikimedia Commons, Public domain)
Mary Cassatt, “The Child’s Bath,” 1893 (Photo:Art Institute of ChicagoviaWikimedia Commons, Public domain)
Camille Pissarro, “Pont Boieldieu in Rouen, Rainy Weather,” 1896 (Photo:Art Gallery of OntarioviaWikimedia Commons, Public domain)
Pierre-Auguste Renoir, “The Large Bathers,” 1884–7 (Photo:Philadelphia Museum of ArtviaWikimedia Commons, Public domain)
Claude Monet, “Water Lilies with a Japanese Bridge,” 1897–99 (Photo:Princeton University Art MuseumviaWikimedia Commons, Public domain)
