Impressionism

Impressionism emerged as a 19th-century art movement in France, primarily among Paris-based artists during the 1870s and 1880s.
Named after Claude Monet's painting "Impression, Sunrise" (1872); critic Louis Leroy coined the term in a satirical review.
Key Characteristics of Impressionist Paintings:
- Small, visible brush strokes.
- Open composition emphasizing light's changing qualities.
- Ordinary subject matter highlighting movement and distinct perspectives.

Artists rejected traditional academic standards set by the Académie des Beaux-Arts.
Preferred bright colors and landscape scenes over historical or religious subjects.
Painted en plein air (outdoors) to capture the effects of light.
Pioneered techniques that prioritized color over line and detail.
The group initially faced hostility, but grew to be recognized for their unique vision.

Dominated the art scene, valuing carefully polished works and somber colors.
Artists like Gustave Courbet and those from the Barbizon school influenced younger realists.
Artists like Claude Monet, Renoir, Sisley, and Bazille formed a core Impressionist group.

The Salon de Paris operated on juries reflecting the Académie's values.
Édouard Manet's "The Luncheon on the Grass" (1863) was controversially rejected, leading to public outcry.
Emperor Napoleon III permitted a new exhibit, the "Salon des Refusés," to challenge traditional exhibitions.

In 1873, Monet and others formed the Société Anonyme Coopérative des Artistes Peintres, Sculpteurs, et Graveurs.
This cooperative encouraged artists to exhibit independently, lacking juried submissions.
First exhibition held in 1874 at Nadar's studio, criticized but crucial for public exposure.

Critic Louis Leroy famously critiqued the movement, aiding in popularizing the term "Impressionist".
Despite mixed reviews, artists embraced the label, focusing on spontaneity and capturing light.

Use of broken brush strokes and pure unmixed color for a vibrant effect.
Emphasis on capturing light and color reflections; avoided black paint in realistic shadowing.
Dynamically captured moving moments rather than static details.

As photography gained popularity, painters explored subjective interpretations of reality.
Japanese art greatly influenced compositional styles, leading to more unconventional angles and arrangements.

Impressionism spread internationally with notable figures in America, Britain, Belgium, and Australia embracing its methods.
American artists like Mary Cassatt and Childe Hassam contributed significantly to the movement.
The rise of Impressionism sparked movements in music, literature, and film, each adopting its aesthetic influences.

Emerging in the 1880s, post-Impressionism adapted and modified Impressionist techniques.
Artists like Vincent van Gogh and Georges Seurat redefined approaches to color and form utilizing Impressionist foundations while exploring new stylistic paths.