Today, Impressionist paintings are adored. Museums draw millions to see Monet’s water lilies or Degas’ dancers. But in the 1870s, this art was mocked, rejected, and labeled a scandal.
So, what exactly is Impressionism? At first glance, it might look like pretty landscapes, soft light, and quick brushstrokes — but there’s much more to it. Impressionism wasn’t just a new painting style but a complete break from the rules that had dominated European art for centuries. To understand why it was so revolutionary, we must look at what came before it — and how boldly Impressionism pushed against the grain.
Table of Contents
- What Is Impressionism?
- Why Was Impressionism Revolutionary?
- A Bit of History: The Birth of Impressionism
- Core Techniques of Impressionism
- Most Famous Impressionist Painters and Their Iconic Works
- Legacy: How Impressionism Changed Art Forever
- 15 Frequently Asked Questions About Impressionism
- Final Thoughts
- Related Questions
What Is Impressionism?
Impressionism is a style of painting that emerged in France in the 1860s and 1870s, defined by:
- Visible brushstrokes
- Light-focused color
- Everyday subjects
- Outdoor settings (plein air painting)
Rather than painting detailed, polished works in a studio, Impressionists captured fleeting moments — the shimmer of light on water, the blur of movement in a crowd, or a glance at a landscape.
The name “Impressionism” comes from Claude Monet’s 1872 painting Impression, Sunrise (Impression, soleil levant). A critic used the term mockingly — saying the painting looked more like a “mere impression” than a finished work. The name stuck.
Why Was Impressionism Revolutionary?
At the time, the art world was ruled by the French Academy, which favored:
- Historical and mythological subjects
- Perfect, realistic technique
- Dark, muted color palettes
- Smooth, invisible brushwork
Impressionism rejected all of that. These artists painted:
- Real life, not gods or heroes
- Loose, sketchy strokes
- Bright, vibrant colors
- Outdoor scenes
- Ordinary people doing ordinary things
This was shocking in the 19th century. Critics accused them of being lazy, amateur, and even disrespectful.
But the revolution wasn’t just in style. It was in attitude.
About Impressionists:
- Exhibited independently, outside the official Salon
- Took art into the streets and countryside
- Documented modern life as it happened
- Made art for art’s sake, not for institutions
In other words, they broke the rules — and started a movement that changed art forever.
A Bit of History: The Birth of Impressionism
The roots of Impressionism can be traced to a group of young painters in Paris, including Claude Monet, Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Camille Pissarro, and Alfred Sisley.
In 1874, frustrated with constant rejection by the Salon (France’s official art exhibition), they held their show. It featured Monet’s Impression and Sunrise, the painting that gave the movement its name.
The response? Mostly ridicule. One critic wrote:
“Wallpaper in its embryonic state is more finished than that seascape.”
But these artists didn’t stop. Between 1874 and 1886, they held eight Impressionist exhibitions, and public opinion began to shift.
By the late 1880s, Impressionism was not only accepted but revered. It laid the groundwork for every modern art movement that followed.
Core Techniques of Impressionism
Here’s what set Impressionist painting apart:
1. Light and Color Over Detail
Impressionists cared more about the effect of light than about precise detail. Shadows weren’t gray — they were purple, blue, green. Everything shimmered with atmosphere.
2. Visible Brushstrokes
Instead of smoothing every stroke, they let the paint show. You could see how the image was built — fast, spontaneous, raw.
3. Painting Outdoors (Plein Air)
Thanks to new portable paint tubes and easels, artists could leave their studios and work in nature, capturing real-time changes in light and weather.
4. Focus on the Everyday
Impressionists painted cafes, streets, gardens, and friends — ordinary moments with emotional impact.
Most Famous Impressionist Painters and Their Iconic Works
1. Claude Monet
Often called the father of Impressionism, Monet was obsessed with light and atmosphere.
- Famous Works:
- Impression, Sunrise (1872)
- Water Lilies series
- Haystacks series
- Rouen Cathedral series
Monet painted the same scenes at different times of day to capture shifting light and mood.
2. Pierre-Auguste Renoir
Renoir brought a more sensual, joyful energy to Impressionism — with soft edges and vibrant scenes of social life.
- Famous Works:
- Dance at Le Moulin de la Galette (1876)
- Luncheon of the Boating Party (1881)
- Two Sisters (On the Terrace) (1881)
3. Edgar Degas
Though often grouped with the Impressionists, Degas was more interested in urban life and movement — especially dancers and women.
- Famous Works:
- The Ballet Class (1874)
- Woman Ironing (1884–1886)
- L’Absinthe (1876)
He also used pastels and experimented with unusual angles, influenced by photography.
4. Berthe Morisot
One of the few women in the movement, Morisot captured the domestic world and intimate scenes of women and children.
- Famous Works:
- The Cradle (1872)
- Summer’s Day (1879)
- Young Girl by the Window (1875)
5. Camille Pissarro
Called the “father figure” of the Impressionists, Pissarro supported and mentored many artists in the group.
- Famous Works:
- The Boulevard Montmartre at Night (1897)
- The Harvest (1882)
- Morning, Sunlight Effect, Éragny (1899)
He documented peasant life and the changing face of the modern city.
Legacy: How Impressionism Changed Art Forever
Impressionism didn’t just shift painting — it opened the door for modern art.
Because of Impressionism:
- Artists realized they didn’t need approval from the Academy.
- Art became more personal, emotional, and expressive.
- Movements like Post-Impressionism, Fauvism, and Abstract art emerged in its wake.
- The idea of painting as a subjective experience — not an objective reproduction — took hold.
Today, we take for granted that artists can paint anything in any way they choose. That freedom began with the Impressionists.
15 Frequently Asked Questions About Impressionism
What is the definition of Impressionism in art?
Impressionism is a 19th-century art movement focused on capturing light, movement, and the fleeting impression of a moment using visible brushstrokes and vibrant color.
Why was Impressionism so controversial at the time?
Because it broke with traditional painting methods: no historical subjects, no polished finish, and no strict realism. It was seen as messy, unfinished, and disrespectful to “serious” art.
Who coined the term “Impressionism”?
Critic Louis Leroy coined the term mockingly in a review of Monet’s Impression, Sunrise in 1874.
Why did Impressionist artists paint outdoors?
To capture natural light and real-life moments. New technology like paint tubes made it easier to paint outside (plein air).
What are the main characteristics of Impressionist painting?
Loose brushwork
Light, bright colors
Outdoor scenes
Everyday subjects
Focus on atmosphere and movement
Was Van Gogh an Impressionist?
Not exactly. Van Gogh was influenced by Impressionism but is considered Post-Impressionist, pushing the style toward more emotional and symbolic expression.
Who was the first Impressionist painter?
Claude Monet is often credited as the leader, but artists like Pissarro and Boudin were also early pioneers.
Why did the French Academy reject Impressionist works?
They didn’t follow academic standards — no mythology, no idealized beauty, no realistic detail.
Did the Impressionists succeed financially?
Not at first. Many struggled. Over time, some, like Monet, gained recognition and success — but only after years of rejection.
How many Impressionist exhibitions were there?
There were eight Impressionist exhibitions held between 1874 and 1886, organized independently by the artists.
Was photography an influence on Impressionism?
Yes. Photography’s ability to freeze a moment pushed painters to capture movement, blur, and fleeting light — things photography couldn’t yet do well.
Why is Impressionism so popular today?
Because it feels alive, emotional, and accessible. The colors are beautiful, the scenes are familiar, and the mood is uplifting.
Are there Impressionist sculptures?
Yes. Edgar Degas created impressionistic bronze sculptures, especially of dancers in motion.
What’s the difference between Impressionism and Post-Impressionism?
Post-Impressionism built on Impressionism but focused more on emotion, structure, and symbolism — think Van Gogh, Cézanne, Gauguin.
Where can I see Impressionist art today?
Top places include:
Musée d’Orsay (Paris)
The Metropolitan Museum of Art (New York)
National Gallery (London)
Art Institute of Chicago
Musée Marmottan Monet (Paris)
Final Thoughts
Impressionism started as a rebellion. It defied the rules, shocked the critics, and allowed artists to paint life as they saw it — not as tradition demanded.
Its loose brushstrokes, love of light, and everyday beauty didn’t just revolutionize art. It made repainting human.
The next time you stand before a Monet or Renoir, know this: what seems peaceful and pretty now was once radical and brave. Impressionism didn’t just change how we look at art — it changed how we look at the world.
Anita Louise Art is dedicated to art education, great artists, and inspiring others to find and create their art. We love art that uplifts and inspires. #ArtToMakeYouSmile! #ArtToMakeYouHappy!
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