Impressionism is one of the most popular and recognisable
movements of Western art History. It was first seen in the early 1860’s and
continued to grow till into the 1900s.
One of the first paintings that was later called an
‘Impressionist’ painting was Manet’s piece, “The luncheon on the grass- 1863”.
At first his work was rejected by the Académie
des Beaux-Arts, at an annual Salon exhibition. These events were supported by
the French government and displayed the best works of the year to be judged for
prizes or to be later sold to the public. The paintings style was heavily
criticized as well as other paintings by artists such as Monet, Renoir and
Sisely who as a group often painted and studied under Charles Gleyre together.
Together with the assistance of Emperor Napoleon III and other artists, their
works were put to be judged by the public at a new event 'Salon des Refuses’.
This was the beginning to the controversial interest in the rebellious new
style, which through 1874-1886 was recognized as Impressionism famously by
Monet’s piece ‘Impression: Sunrise’.
Paintings of the early 19th century were dominated by
the presence of religious and historical features. One of the main
justifications the French critics had for rejecting Manet’s piece in the 1863
Salon was the lack of traditional concepts. Impressionist art rebelled against
the previous movement and created a unique style and concept that was very
different to any of the past. The impressionism movement featured mostly
landscapes or nature as an element of concentration. The scenes even the pieces
in which tat incorporated or focused on people were very relaxed and casual,
displaying life as it is. The use of many bright colours in the placements of
light and shadow intrigued the viewers as it brang with it a whole new way of
seeing light, darkness and colour in a scene.
New developments such as portable paints in a never before
variety of colours greatly influenced the impressionists, as it enabled them to
move around easily and observe nature freely. This also allowed them to paint
quickly, as they needed to work before the light changed and the scenes colours
were distorted. Japanese prints were found to be very popular in the 1850’s and
their uses of block colour as well as detailed sections were an inspiration and
point of interest to many impressionist artists. Photography was just starting
at this time and was also a huge influence on the style. In a photograph an
exact moment was captured and the light was often filtered differently to how we
see it creating great effects of colour that was a major inspiration in the work
of the impressionism movement.
The purpose of impressionism is to capture a moment in time. The
artist’s work very fast often outside in the natural landscape they are trying
to capture. The main focusses of the art style are the strokes of fleeting light
and shadow. Impressionism emphasizes on the colours within these patches of
light and darkness, adding in complimentary and contrasting colours in small
strokes that from a distance complete the scene into a beautiful textured
display of colour that is still realistic looking to the
viewer.
movements of Western art History. It was first seen in the early 1860’s and
continued to grow till into the 1900s.
One of the first paintings that was later called an
‘Impressionist’ painting was Manet’s piece, “The luncheon on the grass- 1863”.
At first his work was rejected by the Académie
des Beaux-Arts, at an annual Salon exhibition. These events were supported by
the French government and displayed the best works of the year to be judged for
prizes or to be later sold to the public. The paintings style was heavily
criticized as well as other paintings by artists such as Monet, Renoir and
Sisely who as a group often painted and studied under Charles Gleyre together.
Together with the assistance of Emperor Napoleon III and other artists, their
works were put to be judged by the public at a new event 'Salon des Refuses’.
This was the beginning to the controversial interest in the rebellious new
style, which through 1874-1886 was recognized as Impressionism famously by
Monet’s piece ‘Impression: Sunrise’.
Paintings of the early 19th century were dominated by
the presence of religious and historical features. One of the main
justifications the French critics had for rejecting Manet’s piece in the 1863
Salon was the lack of traditional concepts. Impressionist art rebelled against
the previous movement and created a unique style and concept that was very
different to any of the past. The impressionism movement featured mostly
landscapes or nature as an element of concentration. The scenes even the pieces
in which tat incorporated or focused on people were very relaxed and casual,
displaying life as it is. The use of many bright colours in the placements of
light and shadow intrigued the viewers as it brang with it a whole new way of
seeing light, darkness and colour in a scene.
New developments such as portable paints in a never before
variety of colours greatly influenced the impressionists, as it enabled them to
move around easily and observe nature freely. This also allowed them to paint
quickly, as they needed to work before the light changed and the scenes colours
were distorted. Japanese prints were found to be very popular in the 1850’s and
their uses of block colour as well as detailed sections were an inspiration and
point of interest to many impressionist artists. Photography was just starting
at this time and was also a huge influence on the style. In a photograph an
exact moment was captured and the light was often filtered differently to how we
see it creating great effects of colour that was a major inspiration in the work
of the impressionism movement.
The purpose of impressionism is to capture a moment in time. The
artist’s work very fast often outside in the natural landscape they are trying
to capture. The main focusses of the art style are the strokes of fleeting light
and shadow. Impressionism emphasizes on the colours within these patches of
light and darkness, adding in complimentary and contrasting colours in small
strokes that from a distance complete the scene into a beautiful textured
display of colour that is still realistic looking to the
viewer.