While Impressionism’s distinctive aesthetic is undoubtedly one-of-a-kind, the context of the canvases is just as captivating.
What is Impressionism?
Impressionismis a movement of art that emerged in 1870s France.
This resulted in a greater awareness of light and color and the shifting pattern of the natural scene.
Brushwork became rapid and broken into separate dabs so that render the fleeting quality of light.
Studio Nadar, ca.
Mary Cassatt, “Little Girl in a Blue Armchair,” 1878 (Photo:Wikimedia CommonsPublic Domain)
When analyzingImpression, Sunrise, he infamously wrote: ImpressionI was certain of it.
Wallpaper in its embryonic state is more finished than that seascape.
Defining Characteristics
Since its conception, Impressionism has been defined by a set of characteristics.
Studio Nadar, ca. 1860-1910 (Photo:Wikimedia CommonsPublic Domain)
Thick Brushstrokes
Claude Monet, The Japanese Bridge, ca.
1918-1924 (Photo:Wikimedia CommonsPublic Domain)
Painterly brushwork is perhaps Impressionism’s most recognizable trait.
Unlike the carefully blended brushstrokes distinctive of previous movements, Impressionist artists employed thick, sketch-like strokes.
ClaudeMonet“Impression, Sunrise,” 1872 (Photo: (Photo:Wikimedia CommonsPublic Domain)
Rather than mix paint to achieve certain tones, they instead grouped together individual brushstrokes of various colors.
For me, it is only the surrounding atmosphere which gives subjects their true value.
However, these snapshots often actually required ample planning and premeditation.
Claude Monet, “The Japanese Bridge”, ca. 1918-1924 (Photo:Wikimedia CommonsPublic Domain)
Pierre-Auguste Renoir, “Dance at Le moulin de la Galette,” 1876 (Photo:Wikimedia CommonsPublic Domain)
Claude Monet, “Haystacks, End of Summer,” 1871 (Photo:Wikimedia CommonsPublic Domain)
Camille Pissarro, “Rue Saint-Honoré,” 1897 (Photo:Wikimedia CommonsPublic Domain)
Edgar Degas, “The Rehearsal Onstage,” 1974 (Photo:Wikimedia CommonsPublic Domain)
Photo:Erin Hanson
