Impressionism Summary
Origins and Context
Emerged in Paris in 1874, initially criticized.
Paintings created outdoors (en plein air).
Focused on modern life, challenging academic art.
Key Characteristics
Emphasis on modern life, cityscapes, and landscapes.
Brighter color palettes and broken brushstrokes.
Capturing light effects.
Use of complementary colors for vibrancy.
Techniques and Style
Focused on visual sensations.
Experimentation with composition.
Social and Cultural Factors
Railway lines facilitated travel.
Urban renovations in Paris provided new subjects.
Represented mixing of social classes.
People
Claude Monet: Impression Sunrise.
Edgar Degas: Strong lines and compositions.
Bertha Morisot & Mary Cassatt: Female impressionists.
Gustave Courbet: Realist.
Edouard Manet: Affiliated with Impressionists.
Georges Seurat & Paul Signac: Neo-Impressionists.
Paul Gauguin: Post-Impressionist.
Reception and Legacy
"Impressionism" from critic's review of Monet.
Supported by art dealer Paul Durand-Ruel.