The Development of Artistic Trends Across Eras: Impressionism
| Impressionism was an art movement that began in France in the 1860s and lasted through the 1880s. It emerged as a reaction against the strict rules of academic painting, which emphasized historical or mythological subjects painted with fine detail and idealized forms. Impressionists wanted to capture real life, especially the effects of light, color, and movement, often painting outdoors to do so. The movement focused less on precise detail and more on the immediate impression of a moment. Artists used quick brushstrokes, bright, often unmixed colors, and unusual angles or cropping to reflect how scenes actually appeared to the human eye. |
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Main Artists & Works: |
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| • Claude Monet – Impression, Sunrise, Water Lilies, Rouen Cathedral Series • Pierre-Auguste Renoir – Dance at Le Moulin de la Galette, Luncheon of the Boating Party • Edgar Degas – The Ballet Class, Woman Ironing |
• Camille Pissarro – The Boulevard Montmartre series • Berthe Morisot – The Cradle, Summer’s Day • Mary Cassatt – The Child’s Bath, In the Loge |
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At first, Impressionism was mocked by critics who thought the paintings looked unfinished or careless. The name itself came from a negative review of Monet’s Impression, Sunrise. But over time, the movement gained respect for its fresh, modern approach. Today, Impressionism is one of the most beloved art movements, praised for its beauty, innovation, and influence on modern art. |
Period: |
Impressionism was most active from the 1860s to the 1880s, during the late 19th century, overlapping with the early Third Republic in France and marking the beginning of modern art. |
Artists and Art of Note in Impressionism
Camille Pissarro & The Boulevard Montmartre on a Winter Morning |
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Camille Pissarro (1830–1903) was a central figure in the Impressionist movement, known for capturing everyday scenes with a focus on light, atmosphere, and movement. As he aged, failing eyesight made outdoor painting difficult, leading him to work from indoor views—often hotel windows overlooking busy city streets. One such work is The Boulevard Montmartre on a Winter Morning (1897), part of a 14-painting series showing the same Parisian boulevard in different weather and light. Painted from his window at the Grand Hôtel de Russie, this version captures a quiet winter morning with fog, soft sunlight, and snow. The street's strong perspective draws the viewer in, while loose brushwork, blurry figures, and touches of pointillism suggest movement and changing light. This series allowed Pissarro to explore how light transforms a scene, even from a fixed viewpoint—showcasing his creativity and commitment to Impressionist ideals, despite physical limitations. |
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Pierre-Auguste Renoir & Luncheon of the Boating Party (1880–81) |
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Pierre-Auguste Renoir (1841–1919) was a central figure in the Impressionist movement, renowned for his vibrant color and focus on light, movement, and everyday life. While he initially embraced Impressionism, later in his career he began incorporating more traditional techniques into his work. Luncheon of the Boating Party, painted in 1880–81, is one of Renoir’s most celebrated works. Exhibited at the Paris Salon in 1882, the painting shows Renoir’s friends enjoying a sunny afternoon on a balcony overlooking the Seine in Chatou, France. Among them is Aline Charigot, Renoir’s future wife. The figures represent a cross-section of Parisian society, from the wealthy to the working class. The modern railway bridge in the background symbolizes the era’s industrial progress. Though the scene appears spontaneous, Renoir painted the figures separately in his studio, then combined them into this composition. The painting’s bright, warm colours, loose brushwork, and emphasis on light through the awning remain quintessentially Impressionist. Renoir uses thicker brushstrokes for the still-life on the table, while the figures blend softly into the lively, sunlit atmosphere. This work marks a turning point in Renoir's style, as he began to shift towards more traditional methods. |
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