Study Notes on Impressionism

Impressionism and Its Historical Context

  • Impressionism as a visual arts movement responding to modernity in Europe.
  • Important to consider the context of nineteenth-century France:
    • Changes wrought by industrialization.
    • Influences from external cultures, particularly Japan.
    • Technological advancements, notably photography, impacting artistic expression.
    • The political climate and urban modernization of Paris (e.g., wide boulevards).

Modern Elements in Impressionism

  • Discussion around modernity in Impressionistic works.
    • Caleb's inquiry into modern aspects of impressionist works.
    • Reference to the asymmetrical perspectives and spontaneous subject matter in impressionist art.

Subject Matter and Perspective

  • Luke's observation about subject matter focusing on rehearsal rather than performance:
    • The depiction of dancers in rehearsal setting.
    • Not a staged scene, but a candid glimpse of preparation.
    • Connection to spontaneity in capturing fleeting moments.

Spatial Considerations

  • Discussion of the floorboards in the painting:
    • Exploration of pictorial space:
    • Renaissance ideals of deep space vs. the flattening effect of diagonal lines.
    • Consensus that space appears flattened, influenced by Japanese printmakers.

Techniques and Media in Impressionism

Degas's Approach

  • Edgar Degas:

    • Impressionist painter more focused on modern cultural life, attending events like horse races and ballet.

    • Utilization of innovative techniques and media:

    • Emphasis on the blending of colors, visibility of brushwork, and absence of black for shadows.

    • Use of pastels for quick sketches and impressions.

    • Discussion of Degas’s particular method:

    • Developed high-level pastel techniques.

    • Noteworthy for creating fixatives to prevent chalk from flaking off.

    • Examination of forgeries reveals insights about Degas's original techniques.

Influence of Japanese Prints

  • Discussion about the influence of Japanese printmaking on Degas:
    • Composition and asymmetry reminiscent of Japanese aesthetics.
    • Specific reference to prints emulating similar spatial arrangements.

Women Artists in Impressionism

Mary Cassatt

  • Notable woman artist in the Impressionist movement:

    • Background as the daughter of a railroad baron, secured opportunities in art.

    • Innovative perspectives on themes of mother and child, reflecting modern interpretations in art.

    • Anti-sentimental approach differing from traditional depictions of maternal relationships.

    • Cassatt's active representation of the female gaze in her art:

    • Challenge of traditional gender roles and expectations in art.

Claude Monet

Key Contributions

  • Claude Monet as a leading figure in Impressionism:
    • Created about 3,000 paintings, emphasizing light and color effects.
    • His work "Impression, Sunrise" coining the term "Impressionism".

Techniques and Innovations

  • Utilization of open-air painting despite occasional indoor settings:

    • Insights on painting techniques of the time: purchasing paint in tubes changed outdoor painting dynamics.

  • Monet's perspectives on subject matter and technique:

    • Focus on color perception rather than a literal representation of subjects (e.g., haystacks).
    • Different times of day and seasons explored through repeated themes.

Renoir and Other Impressionists

Impressionism’s Social Context

  • Examination of Pierre-Auguste Renoir's works reminiscent of captured snapshots:
    • Influence of modern life depicted through light and color.
Other Notable Female Artists
  • Berthe Morisot as a significant female figure in the Impressionist era:
    • Professional challenges faced as a woman painter in the 19th century.

Henry Ossawa Tanner

  • Tanner as an important African American artist:
    • His work contrasts with traditional depictions of African Americans in art.

Whistler and Art for Art’s Sake

  • James McNeill Whistler's contributions to art philosophy:
    • Advocated for "art for art's sake", challenging traditional subject expectations.
    • Pioneered modern exhibition design ideas and approached artistic representation thoughtfully,
    • Significant interaction with public reception of his work, notably through litigation against critic John Ruskin.

Post-Impressionism

Transition From Impressionism

  • Emergence of Post-Impressionism as a divergent movement:
    • Artists sought deeper intentional subject matter beyond fleeting impressions.

George Seurat and Pointillism

  • Exploration of George Seurat's "A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte":
    • Employment of pointillism in painting, utilizing color theory.
    • Complex interactions of colors applied through distinct dots rather than lines.