In art history, impressionism has left an enduring and transformative imprint. Serving as a bridge between the traditional and the avant-garde, impressionism can be described as "The Art of Embracing Ephemeral Beauty." Through its masterful interplay of light, color, and fleeting moments, this movement defied conventions, capturing the essence of time itself on canvas. In today's article, let's delve into this significant art movement in modern art.
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What is Impressionism?

Impressionism, a significant artistic movement, initially emerged in painting and later extended to music. It took shape primarily in France during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The realm of impressionism spans roughly from 1867 to 1886, showcasing creations brought forth by a collective of artists who embraced interconnected methods and techniques. A defining hallmark of impressionism in painting revolves around a deliberate endeavor to precisely and objectively depict visual reality, focusing on the evanescent interplay of light and color.

Interestingly, the term "Impressionism" was not chosen by the artists themselves; rather, it originated as an insult in response to an exhibition of new paintings held in Paris in 1874. This term finds its roots in Claude Monet's artwork, "Impression, Sunrise", which incited the satirical response of critic Louis Leroy. Leroy's reaction led to the coining of the term in a review published in the Parisian newspaper Le Charivari. In this review, Leroy playfully ridiculed Monet's "Impression, Sunrise," remarking, "A preliminary drawing for a wallpaper pattern is more finished than this seascape."
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Impression Sunrise, Claude Monet, 1872
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However, the impressionism encountered considerable opposition from the established art community in France. This diverse group of painters, rejected by the conventional art establishment, boldly established their own exhibition. Among those defiant artists were notable names like Monet, Renoir, Pissarro, and Degas. The emergence of impressionism within the realm of visual arts swiftly precipitated the emergence of similar styles across various creative domains, including what we now recognize as impressionist music and literature.

While conservative critics criticized Impressionist artwork for its seemingly unfinished and sketch-like appearance, more progressive writers hailed it for its portrayal of modern life. For instance, Edmond Duranty expressed his thoughts in a 1876 essay titled "La Nouvelle Peinture" (The New Painting). In his writing, he lauded their innovative depiction of contemporary subjects using a suitable style, viewing it as a revolutionary shift in the realm of painting.

Remarkably, the impressionist artists who exhibited their works in this collective exhibition intentionally avoided adopting a title that implied a unified movement or school of thought. Nevertheless, some of these artists eventually adopted the label by which they would become widely recognized: Impressionism. Today, their work is celebrated for embodying modernity, reflected in their rejection of established artistic norms, incorporation of novel technologies and ideas, and their vibrant portrayal of modern life.
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What distinctly characterizes impressionism for contemporary audiences is not only its subject matter but also its unique technique. Landscapes and glimpses of modern urban and suburban life painted with vivid, untainted colors are emblematic. Impressively, many Impressionist artworks were commenced (and sometimes even completed) outdoors, a departure from the studio tradition. The rapid, discernible brushstrokes employed by these artists lend their pieces a distinctive quality.
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Impressionism is the First Modern Art Movement

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Impressionism is often characterized as the pioneering movement of modern painting, largely due to the transformative impact of the wider wave of modernization that provided the impetus for its emergence. The advent of the industrial revolution and the revolutionary introduction of the railroad system resulted in a newfound availability of leisure time for both middle and lower-class citizens in Paris. Moreover, this era introduced a swift and economical means of venturing into the countryside. Around 1860, a quartet of young art students – namely Monet, Sisley, Pierre-Auguste Renoir, and Frédéric Bazille – crossed paths while honing their craft under the guidance of the French academic artist Charles Gleyre.

During their off-hours, these students embarked on train journeys to the outlying regions surrounding the city, where they would set up their easels amidst fields or beside riverbanks. Here, they would fervently strive to encapsulate the evanescent play of sunlight on water, the diligent toil of laborers, or the leisurely Sundays enjoyed by Parisians along the coast. This pivotal juncture provided a confluence of inspiration and innovation that would become synonymous with impressionism's distinctive approach to capturing fleeting moments of life.

• Further Reading: What is Modern Art? A Complete Definition and Guide
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Characteristics and Style of Impressionism

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There was no single unifying impressionist style, but the artists associated with impressionism did share similar modern approaches to painting. However, through these characteristics, you will gain a better understanding and be able to recognize impressionism:
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The Bold Brushwork and Loose Strokes

Impressionism is known for its visible, textured brush strokes. Impressionist artists used quick, loose strokes to convey the sense of movement, light, and spontaneity. The loose strokes allowed artists to infuse their creations with an air of spontaneity and energy. Impressionist paintings radiate a sense of freedom, as if the scenes were captured in a momentary snapshot, frozen in time amidst a rush of activity. The canvas becomes a lively space of dynamic movements, with every brushstroke seizing a brief moment that blurs the line between reality and artistry.
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Outdoor Painting (En Plein Air)

Many Impressionist artists favored outdoor painting in the countryside outside of Paris instead of being confined to a studio. This practice, known as "en plein air," was a defining characteristic of Impressionist artists and played a crucial role in shaping the movement's unique style. Unlike the conventional approach of creating art within studio walls, impressionist artists ventured outdoors to directly capture the effects of natural light, atmosphere, and fleeting moments. This choice profoundly influenced the aesthetics and techniques of Impressionist paintings.

Frequently, impressionist artists painted en plein air to capture the interplay of natural light and scenery. Directly observing their subjects allowed them to portray the accurate effects of light on their artwork. This method of working swiftly and spontaneously contributed to the sense of immediacy and movement seen in their loose brushwork and visible strokes. By venturing outside the studio, impressionist artists were able to infuse their paintings with the authentic ambiance of the outdoors, resulting in scenes that truly resonate with the viewer.
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Philip Leslie Hale, Light and Shade (Mrs. Hale in the Garden)
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Emphasis on Light

Impressionism is synonymous with its profound emphasis on light, which revolutionized the way artists perceived and portrayed the world around them. This emphasis on light became a central theme and driving force behind impressionist paintings, leading to a departure from traditional artistic conventions and a new way of capturing reality.

For instance, Claude Monet's series paintings, such as "Water Lilies," exemplify the Impressionist emphasis on light. Monet explored the changing effects of light on water and nature throughout different times of day and seasons. His mastery over color and light allowed him to create serene and evocative scenes that resonated with viewers on a visceral level.
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Capture of Fleeting Moments

Impressionism had a dual focus on capturing the evanescent effects of light and atmosphere. They skillfully depicted scenes at precise moments, effectively showcasing the mutable conditions and ambiance of their surroundings.

This emphasis on light extended to their pursuit of capturing light's ephemeral effects on subjects, especially within dynamic scenarios like sunrise, sunset, and varying times of day. Their ambition was to encapsulate light's transformative essence, which had the power to dramatically alter the appearance of a scene.
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Embrace of Modern Life

The subject matter of impressionism is marked by its embrace of modern life. Unlike the academic traditions that often portrayed historical or mythological themes, impressionism found inspiration in everyday life. Their art is all about showcasing the contemporary world. Artists within this movement depicted a diverse range of scenes that captured the essence of their society at that time.

The subjects included landscapes, urban scenes, and everyday activities, each offering a unique perspective on the dynamic world they inhabited. Through their art, impressionist artists conveyed themes of leisure, urbanization, and the innate connection between humanity and nature. This approach to subject matter not only mirrored the changing times but also infused the canvas with vitality, immortalizing the transient moments of their era through vibrant strokes of color and light. Streets, cafes, parks, and bustling urban scenes became their canvas, offering a glimpse into the rhythm of daily life.
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Frederick Childe Hassam, Conversation on the Avenue, 1892
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Color of Impressionism

Color was a big deal in impressionism. It totally changed how artists thought about color and how it worked with light. Within the realm of impressionism, artists wholeheartedly embraced vibrant and unadulterated hues, a stark contrast to the restrained and muted tones favored in academic circles. To them, color held an indispensable role, a conduit for expressing emotions, setting atmospheres, and capturing the ever-shifting interplay of light.

Impressionist artists noticed that colors weren't the same all the time; they shifted and looked different depending on the light. To show this, they did things differently. Instead of using just one color, impressionism used tiny strokes of different colors next to each other. When you step back, your eyes blend these colors together, creating a lively effect.

Moreover, the impressionists' use of colors wasn't just about creating aesthetically pleasing visuals. Rather than relying on the customary use of black and gray paints to fashion shadows, Impressionist painters pioneered an innovative approach by employing complementary colors. The paints they wielded were also noticeably brighter, a consequence of the emergence of synthetic pigments in that era. This heightened palette allowed artists to brush fresh layers of paint onto surfaces that were still damp, engendering a visual effect where forms assumed a gentle blur, immersed in a one-of-a-kind fusion of hues. Unlike the transparent layering found in other styles, this method introduced a dimension of opaqueness, enriching the overall canvas with vibrant layers of depth and color.
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Lack of Details

The lack of intricate details is a hallmark feature of impressionism, representing a departure from the meticulously detailed approach of earlier artistic traditions. Impressionist artists intentionally chose not to emphasize fine details in their works, opting instead to capture the essence of a scene through broader strokes and a focus on immediate impressions.
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Impressionist Masters: Artists and Their Works

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Claude Monet (1840–1926)

Claude Monet, often hailed as the quintessential impressionist painter, has left an indelible mark with his series of artworks that capture diverse subjects amid ever-shifting light conditions. A pivotal figure in the impressionism art movement that catalyzed a transformation in French art during the latter half of the nineteenth century, Monet's extensive career was dedicated to portraying the landscapes and leisurely pursuits of Paris, its surroundings, and the serene Normandy coast. Notably, he also pioneered a path toward twentieth-century modernism, fashioning a unique artistic style that aimed to transcribe the very process of perceiving nature onto canvas.

In his early years, Monet's success was somewhat limited. Only a few of his landscapes, seascapes, and portraits found acceptance for exhibition at the annual Salons of the 1860s. However, the rejection of several of his more ambitious creations, including the expansive "Women in the Garden" (1866; Musée d'Orsay, Paris), served as a catalyst. This rejection prompted Monet to join forces with fellow artists such as Edgar Degas, Édouard Manet, Camille Pissarro, and Renoir to establish an independent exhibition in 1874. A standout in this exhibition was Monet's "Impression, Sunrise", a piece that drew significant critique due to its loose brushwork and somewhat undefined forms, which contributed to its unfinished appearance. Despite the criticism, the artists viewed it as a badge of honor and, in a twist of fate, adopted the term "Impressionism" after the very title of Monet's painting – a name initially employed as a derisive label.
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Claude Monet, Woman with a Parasol - Madame Monet and Her Son, 1875
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Pierre-Auguste Renoir (1841-1919)

Renoir, a French painter originally associated with the impressionism art movement, showcased in his early works the quintessential Impressionist snapshots of everyday existence. These snapshots were infused with vibrant colors and radiant light. However, by the mid-1880s, he deviated from the trajectory of the movement and embraced a more disciplined and formal technique, particularly evident in his portraits and figure paintings, often highlighting women.

Renoir's artistic pursuits consistently radiate a tangible sense of joy and vibrancy, which serve as defining characteristics of his distinctive style. His subject matter traverses a wide spectrum, encompassing intimate glimpses of daily life, as well as masterful portraits and picturesque landscapes. Among his celebrated works, "Luncheon of the Boating Party" and "Dance at Le Moulin de la Galette" stand out, exemplifying his remarkable prowess in capturing moments of leisure and celebration with captivating brilliance.
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Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Luncheon of the Boating Party, 1881
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Edgar Degas (1834-1917)

Edgar Degas, a figure who seemingly never fully embraced the label of "Impressionism," instead held a preference for designations like "Realist" or "Independent." Nevertheless, he played a pivotal role as a founder, organizer of exhibitions, and a crucial core member of the Impressionist group. In parallel with the Impressionists, Degas aimed to seize transitory moments within the current of modern life. However, his focus diverged from plein-air landscapes, favoring instead scenes set in theaters and cafés aglow with artificial illumination. This illumination was a tool he masterfully used to accentuate the contours of his figures, a skill he retained from his academic training.

While his affinity for impressionism lay in a shared interest in modern life, Degas' canvas was often Paris' dance halls, cabarets, racetracks, opera houses, and ballet stages. Interestingly, he once conveyed to his fellow landscape artists, "You need natural life; I, artificial life." It was the rhythm and movement found in racehorses and ballet dancers that captivated him deeply, a movement that was not spontaneous but rather defined and disciplined. Simultaneously, he meticulously studied the unembellished, everyday gestures of working women – milliners, dressmakers, and laundresses – finding inspiration in their simple yet purposeful motions.
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Edgar Degas, The Absinthe Drinker or Glass of Absinthe, 1875-1876
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Berthe Morisot (1841-1895)

Berthe Morisot, born in 1841, emerged as a prominent French impressionist painter, making substantial contributions to the movement. Her artistic style is distinguished by a gentle touch, free-flowing brushwork, and a keen sensitivity to light and color. Morisot's innovative approach to composition, coupled with her adeptness in capturing atmospheric effects, played a pivotal role in shaping the distinctive aesthetic of impressionism.

Berthe Morisot maintained close connections with fellow Impressionist artists such as Édouard Manet and Pierre-Auguste Renoir. Notably, art critic Gustave Geffroy recognized her as one of the "les trois grandes dames" (The three great ladies) of impressionism, alongside Marie Bracquemond and Mary Cassatt, in 1894. Despite encountering challenges and biases as a female artist in the 19th century, Berthe Morisot's legacy persists as a trailblazing woman artist who played a vital role in influencing the development of impressionism.
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