Impressionism

Impressionism

Impressionism is a late 19th-century art movement that focuses on capturing light, color, and everyday modern life as it appears in a single moment, using loose brushwork and often painting outdoors.

• Painted modern life (cities, leisure, industry)

• Outdoor painting

• Focus on light, atmosphere, and perception

• Visible brushstrokes, unfinished look

• New color theory (Chevreul): complementary colors, optical mixing

Claude Monet

Impression, Sunrise (1872)

Painting that gave Impressionism its name after a critic mocked its “unfinished” look.

• Atmospheric effect over detail

• Loose brushstrokes

• Focus on light and color

Rouen Cathedral series

Same façade painted repeatedly at different times of day.

• Light changes perception

• Time as visual experience

The Gare Saint-Lazare

Depicts a modern train station filled with steam and movement.

• Industrial modernity

• Urban subject

• Light and atmosphere dominate

Autumn Effect at Argenteuil (changed color theory)

• Complementary colors

• Scientific approach to color

Claude Monet pt2

Wheatstack, Sun in the Mist

A single work emphasizing atmosphere and light diffusion.

• Soft edges

• Optical mixing

• Color dissolves form

La Japonaise (1876)

Reflects the European fascination with Japanese culture (Japonisme).

• Flat patterns

• Bold color

• Cultural exchange

Berthe Morisot

The Cradle (1872)

Interior scene showing motherhood from a female perspective.

• Light brushwork

• Private modern life

• Soft, muted palette

Summer’s Day (c.1879)

• Urban modernity

• Cropped composition

• Fresh, outdoor light

Pierre-Auguste Renoir

The Swing (1876)

• Broken light

• Figures integrated with environment

• Joyful atmosphere

• Loose brushwork

Luncheon of the Boating Party

• Social interaction

• Natural light

• Group Portrait

• Celebration of modern life

Camille Pissarro

Climbing Path, L’Hermitage (1875)

• Everyday rural scene

• Impressionist color

• Calm observation

• Bridge between Realism and Impressionism

Camille Pissarro – Boulevard des Italiens

• Modern city life

• Movement and crowd

• Influence of photography

Other Art Pieces

Gustave Caillebotte – Paris Street; Rainy Day (1877)
Depicts Haussmannized Paris with realism and Impressionist light.

• Modern urban planning

• Unusual perspective

• Social distance

• Sharp geometry

Mary Cassatt – The Child’s Bath (1893)
Influenced by Japanese prints, showing domestic intimacy.

• Strong outlines

• Everyday subject

• Female perspective

Edgar Degas – Jockeys Before the Race (c.1879)

• Cropped composition

• Influence of photography

• Modern sport

• Unbalanced framing

Impact of Impressionism outside France

John Singer Sargent – Group with Parasols (c.1905)

• Impressionist light and movement

• Elegant modern leisure

• Loose, luminous brushwork

Joaquín Sorolla – Walk along the Shore (1909)

• Mediterranean light

• Movement and immediacy

• Capturing the moment

• Impressionism adapted to Spain