When many think about the Impressionist movement, the names Claude Monet and Vincent Van Gogh come to mind. However, many are surprised to learn that Claude Monet and Vincent Van Gogh are not even in the same art movement.
Claude Monet is credited for starting the Impressionist art movement, while Vincent Van Gogh is considered part of the Post-Impressionism movement. Even though they both lived simultaneously, they were not considered part of the same art movement.
Table of Contents
- Claude Monet Started The Impressionist Movement
- Vincent Van Gogh Is A Post Impressionist
- Claude Monet Was Known As An Impressionist Painter
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Related Questions
Claude Monet Started The Impressionist Movement
Claude Monet was an Impressionist painter. He started the Impressionism movement along with Edgar Degas, Camille Pissarro, and others. The group began in 1874 when the artists called themselves the Anonymous Society of Painters, Sculptors, and Printmakers.
This group of artists organized an exhibition in Paris; the Impressionism movement started at this exhibition. This random group of artists was unified by their independence from what was then the official annual Salon show.
In the Salon show, a jury of artists from the Academie des Beaux-Arts would select the works of art that could be shown at the show and then award the medals. This Impressionism independent group of artists despised this approach to art and felt it was being led by conservation art critics and not any progressive artists.
These progressive artists set up art shows to show their works of art. In the 1874 show, Claude Monet had a painting called Impressionism, Sunrise; the art critic accused it of being more of a sketch and not a finished painting. But it was from this Claude Monet painting of Impressionism. Sunrise, the name of Impressionism, came about.
The impressionist movement artists emphasized the use of light and adopted broken brush strokes that barely conveyed any forms. The Impressionists also used unblended colors, and their artwork had a sense of spontaneity.
The work of the Impressionism artists started to become widely accepted and eventually was also accepted as part of the prestigious Salon shows.
Vincent Van Gogh Is A Post Impressionist
Vincent Van Gogh is considered to be a Post Impressionism artist. Post-Impressionism was considered a creative shift from Impressionism art; Post-impressionism broke with the innovative style of Impressionism art.
It was in 1911 that art critics started to use the phrase ”post-impressionistic” to illustrate the work of several artists who did not follow the strict impressionism movement.
Post-Impressionism became the link between Impressionism artwork and modern art. Van Gogh is considered one of the most influential artists who influenced many other art movements, such as the Expressionism art movement in Modern art.
Unlike the Impressionists, who used short brush strokes, Van Gogh was known to use long vertical brush strokes. Van Gogh was not an Impressionist, as his art and style were a noticeable break from the Impressionists.
The Post-Impressionism movement is an art movement that does not follow any specific method or style. When you look at Van Gogh’s artistic style, you can see that his art has its unique style.
Impressionists such as Claude Monet often used soft colors in his Impressionism artwork. Still, Vincent Van Gogh often did quite the opposite as he would make the painting more vibrant, colorful, and intense than the actual object he was painting.
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Claude Monet Was Known As An Impressionist Painter
During his lifetime, Claude Monet was known as an Impressionist painter. In many of his letters to his brother, Vincent Van Gogh referred to Monet as an Impressionist painter.
Vincent Van Gogh, in writing to his brother Theo, wrote this about the Impressionists and Claude Monet:
Ah, to paint figures like Claude Monet paints landscapes. That’s what remains to be done despite everything, and before, of necessary, one sees only Monet among the Impressionists.”
Vincent Van Gogh To His Brother Theo Van Gogh – 3 May 1889
We can see from this quote that Van Gogh admired the Impressionist painters, particularly Claude Monet; he referred to Claude Monet as one of the key Impressionists. But at the same time, he did not refer to himself as an Impressionist.
Van Gogh understood that he was not in the Impressionism movement but that his art was trying to build upon the art style the Impressionists had started.
In April 1890, Theo put some of Vincent Van Gogh’s paintings in an exhibition. In writing to his brother about the results of the show, he wrote this to Vincent Van Gogh:
“Your paintings at the exhibition are very successful. The other day Duez stopped me in the street and said, give my compliments to your brother and tell him that his paintings are quite remarkable. Monet said that your paintings were the best in the exhibition. Many other artists have spoken to me about them.”
Theo Van Gogh To Vincent Van Gogh – 23 April 1890
From this, we learn that Monet also admired Vincent Van Gogh’s artwork, but as the work differed from the Impressionism movement, he did not refer to Vincent Van Gogh as an Impressionist artist.
Claude Monet was considered a key Impressionist artist. Vincent Van Gogh was never considered an Impressionism artist, but long after he died, his art movement was named part of the Post-Impressionism movement.
Frequently Asked Questions
Did Claude Monet and Vincent Van Gogh belong to the same art movement?
No, they did not. Claude Monet is associated with the Impressionist movement, while Vincent Van Gogh is considered part of the Post-Impressionism movement.
Who is credited with starting the Impressionist art movement?
Claude Monet is credited with initiating the Impressionist art movement, which emerged in the late 19th century in France.
When did the Impressionist movement begin, and how long did it last?
The Impressionist movement began in the 1870s and lasted until the 1880s. It marked a significant departure from traditional artistic techniques.
How did Claude Monet contribute to the Impressionist movement?
Monet’s innovative use of light, color, and brushstrokes played a pivotal role in defining the Impressionist style. His famous work “Impression, Sunrise” inspired the movement’s name.
What characterizes the Post-Impressionist movement associated with Vincent Van Gogh?
Post-Impressionism, led by artists like Van Gogh, emphasized the expression of emotion, bold use of color, and a departure from the naturalistic approach of Impressionism.
Did Claude Monet and Vincent Van Gogh know each other or collaborate on any artworks?
There is no evidence to suggest that Monet and Van Gogh collaborated or had a significant artistic relationship. They were part of different circles within the art world.
Were there other notable artists in the Impressionist movement besides Claude Monet?
Yes, there were several prominent Impressionist artists, including Edgar Degas, Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Camille Pissarro, and Mary Cassatt, who all contributed to the movement.
How did the public and art critics initially react to the Impressionist style?
The Impressionist style faced initial resistance and criticism from traditional art institutions and critics. However, over time, it gained acceptance and recognition.
Did Vincent Van Gogh ever experiment with Impressionist techniques before moving to Post-Impressionism?
Van Gogh did experiment with Impressionist techniques early in his career, but he later developed a more personal and expressive style that aligned with Post-Impressionism.
What impact did the Impressionist movement have on the art world and subsequent artistic developments?
The Impressionist movement had a profound impact on the art world, influencing subsequent art movements and paving the way for modern art. It challenged traditional norms and encouraged artistic experimentation.
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Related Questions
Why Was Impressionism Art at First Rejected?
During the emergence of impressionism art, fine art oil painting was an essential addition to the interior design of a home, especially for the affluent and the increasing arrival of the middle classes. For these art patrons, only some particular art styles were considered acceptable for them to use for the interior design of their home, and impressionism art did not fit into any of these culturally acceptable fine art categories.
By clicking here, you can learn more by reading Why Was Impressionism Art at First Rejected?.
Why Is Van Gogh Considered Such A Great Artist?
Many things make Vincent Van Gogh unique and great as an artist. He had a great way to use color in his art, but more than that, he was an artist who set and paved the way for other artists. He changed art with his brushstroke technique, how he used color, and his design abilities. Van Gogh did all this as a self-taught artist.
By clicking here, you can learn more by reading Why Is Van Gogh Considered Such A Great Artist?.
What Art Tools Did Vincent Van Gogh Use?
Vincent Van Gogh used most of the essential tools that artists of his day used, such as oil paints, turpentine, oil, canvas, brushes, palette knife, and easel. We learn from some of his letters how he used these art tools for his paintings. We also know from the letters how essential these art tools were to him.
By clicking here, you can learn more by reading What Art Tools Did Vincent Van Gogh Use?.
