Impressionism in 8 Minutes: How It Changed The Course of Art 🎨

Summary

Impressionism revolutionized 19th-century art, breaking away from traditional themes and the conservative Salon. Rejecting historical and mythological subjects, impressionists like Monet and Renoir depicted modern life, focusing on light and color in 'en plein air' scenes. Their independent exhibitions and innovative use of color marked the birth of a movement that influenced modern art, showcasing urban experiences and everyday leisure activities.

Takeaways

• 🎨 Impressionism is a pivotal art movement that revolutionized the course of art history, moving away from traditional themes towards modern life and personal perspectives.
• 🏛 The 19th-century Salon in Paris, organized by the Academy of Fine Arts, favored grand historical subjects and mythological scenes, reflecting a conservative taste in art.
• 🚫 Rejecting the Salon's artistic expectations, the Impressionists formed the Anonymous Society of Painters, Sculptors, and Printmakers and held their own exhibitions, starting in 1874.
• 🌅 The term 'Impressionism' was derived from Claude Monet's painting 'Impression, Sunrise,' initially used derogatorily by a critic but later embraced as a movement's name.
• 🖌 Impressionist paintings are characterized by casual and informal styles, with loose brushstrokes and a departure from realistic representation.
• 🌆 Impressionists were captivated by modern life and the urban experiences of Paris, often depicting scenes from the city's public spaces and technological advancements.
• 🌤️ They pioneered the practice of 'en plein air' painting, favoring smaller canvases for ease of transport and capturing the effects of light and color on mood and atmosphere.
• 🖼️ The movement was led by artists such as Claude Monet, Edgar Degas, Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Camille Pissarro, and Berthe Morisot, who held a total of 8 exhibitions until 1886.
• 🌈 The development of synthetic paints in tubes allowed Impressionists to experiment with new color shades and techniques, often using complementary colors for intensity.
• 🎭 Impressionist works often depicted leisure activities of the middle-class French society, reflecting the social and cultural life of the time, from ballet scenes to theater audiences.
• 👩‍🎨 Women Impressionists like Berthe Morisot and Mary Cassatt focused on depicting the lives and private spaces of bourgeois women, showcasing intimate moments and domestic subjects.

Q & A

What was the main art exhibition in 19th century Paris?

The main art exhibition in 19th century Paris was called the Salon, organized annually by the Academy of Fine Arts.

Why did the impressionists organize their own exhibitions?

The impressionists organized their own exhibitions because they wanted to become independent from the Salon and its conservative artistic expectations.

What was the first impressionist exhibition held in Paris?

The first impressionist exhibition was held in Paris in 1874 at the studio of the French photographer Nadar.

Who were some of the leading artists of the Impressionism movement?

The Impressionism movement was led by artists such as Claude Monet, Edgar Degas, Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Camille Pissarro, and Berthe Morisot.

How did the term 'Impressionism' originate?

The term 'Impressionism' originated from Claude Monet's painting 'Impression, Sunrise', which was initially criticized by an art critic named Louis Leroy.

What was unique about the impressionists' approach to painting?

Impressionists were known for their casual and informal style, with loose brushstrokes, and a tendency not to copy everything realistically from nature.

Why did impressionists often paint outdoors, or 'en plein air'?

Impressionists often painted outdoors because it allowed them to capture the effects of light and color in different settings, and smaller canvases were easier to carry and transport.

How did the development of synthetic paints in tubes influence the impressionists' use of color?

The development of synthetic paints in tubes allowed impressionists to use new shades of colors and to show complementary colors next to each other, creating more intense effects.

What types of scenes did the impressionists typically depict in their works?

Impressionists typically depicted scenes from modern life, including urban experiences, leisurely activities of the middle-class, and domestic subjects.

How did the impressionists' approach to art differ from the academic painting exhibited at the Paris Salon?

Compared to academic painting, impressionist works were more casual, informal, and focused on capturing the atmosphere and mood of a scene rather than realistic representation.

What impact did Impressionism have on the course of modern art?

Impressionism was revolutionary in its time and greatly influenced the course of modern art by embracing modernity, focusing on everyday life, and introducing new ways of representing light, color, and atmosphere.