Modern Art & Impressionism Lecture

Vocabulary flashcards summarizing essential terms, artists, paintings, and characteristics from the lecture on Modern Art and Impressionism.

Modern Art

Art produced roughly between 1870 and 1970 that rejected Renaissance-based traditions and embraced new materials, techniques, and ideas about the role of art.

Impressionism

A Paris-based art movement (1872 to mid-1880s) that sought to depict fleeting moments and light effects with loose brushstrokes and everyday subjects.

Impression, Sunrise

Claude Monet’s 1872 oil painting whose French title (Impression, Soleil Levant) gave the Impressionist movement its name.

Claude Monet

French painter and key Impressionist whose focus on light and color helped define the movement.

The Barque of Dante

Eugène Delacroix’s 1822 Romantic painting showing Dante and Virgil crossing the River Styx.

Eugène Delacroix

French Romantic painter known for dramatic subjects and expressive brushwork that influenced later modern artists.

Everyday Life (Impressionist Theme)

Scenes of ordinary people and daily activities frequently depicted by Impressionist painters.

Landscape Painting

A principal Impressionist subject focusing on natural scenery, often painted outdoors to capture light changes.

Countryside and Seaside

Rural and coastal settings favored by Impressionists for their natural light and atmosphere.

Bourgeoisie Cityscapes

Urban scenes reflecting modern middle-class life, another common Impressionist subject.

Visible Brushstrokes

Loose, noticeable strokes that convey movement and texture—hallmark of Impressionist technique.

Light Colors

Bright, high-key palette applied with minimal mixing to keep hues luminous.

Optical Mixing

Color effect created when separate dabs of paint blend in the viewer’s eye rather than on the palette.

Emphasis on Light

Impressionist focus on capturing shifting light and its effects on color and form.

Ordinary Subject Matter

Preference for everyday scenes over historical, mythological, or religious themes.

Unusual Visual Angles

Compositions that crop or tilt the view, echoing photography’s influence on Impressionist framing.

Open Compositions

Arrangements that let forms extend beyond the canvas edges, suggesting continuation of space.

Photography’s Influence

Camera snapshots inspired Impressionists to freeze momentary actions and offer personal, subjective views.

Edouard Manet

French painter (1832–1883) who bridged Realism and Impressionism, producing about 430 oils of modern life.

Manet’s Self-Portrait Sale

His self-portrait sold for over US $22 million in 2010, underscoring his lasting importance.

The Cafe Concert

1878 Manet painting depicting Parisian leisure in a music-hall setting.

Le Chemin de Fer (The Railroad)

Manet’s 1872-73 canvas combining a modern iron fence, steam, and a quiet domestic moment.

Le Bar aux Folies-Bergère

Manet’s 1881-82 masterpiece of a barmaid amid mirrors and Paris nightlife.

Argenteuil (Manet)

1874 river scene by Manet capturing leisure boating near Paris.

Rue Mosnier Decked with Flags

1878 Manet painting portraying a Paris street festooned for a national celebration.