Famous Impressionism Paintings
Impressionism is one of the most influential movements in the history of art. It started in France in the late 19th century. This movement was started by a group of Paris-based artists who were interested to explore new ways of painting styles. They thought to break away from traditional painting styles. Instead of working in studios, they painted outdoors, capturing the beauty of everyday life. These artists used visible brushstrokes and vibrant colors.
The main idea behind this method was to create a sense of movement and atmosphere in the painting. Small movements and essence of light was beautifully captured in these artworks.
The Birth of Impressionism was in the early 1870s and 1880s. Impressionism gained popularity through solo exhibitions. All the artists during this time followed academic art styles. They were focused on painting religious scenes or historical activities. The brave thought of impressionists completely changed the art domain.
They focused on real-life moments, landscapes, people in their natural surroundings and painting modern city life. This fresh approach was revolutionary but also gained lot of criticism. Many critics initially dismissed their work as unfinished or too loose. However, over time, Impressionism won recognition and paved the way for modern art.
Impressionist Paintings
Claude Monet‘s Impressionism, Sunrise is among the most well-known impressionist works ever produced. This work was so important that it became the name of the entire movement. Monet, a native of the French coastal town of Le Havre, painted six canvases depicting the harbor of his homeland. Impression, Sunrise emerged as the most notable piece among them.
This innovative and daring painting style sparked debate and received a lot of criticism when it was first displayed in 1874 alongside works by other artists. The renowned Paris Salon notoriously turned away Monet and his fellow artists, who would later become some of the most well-known figures in the art world.
Claude Monet, “Woman With a Parasol,” 1875
Edgar Degas favored inner environments and human topics, whereas the majority of Impressionists painted exterior scenes. He specifically devoted a large portion of his artistic career to photographing artists in action, particularly ballerinas. One of his first attempts in this area was the Dance Class.
“People refer to me as the painter of dancing girls,” Degas said to Ambroise Vollard, an art dealer in Paris. “They have never realized that my main passion for dancers is depicting movement and painting attractive clothing.”
Edgar Degas, The Dance Class, 1875
Pierre-Auguste Renoir
Luncheon of the Boating Party was showcased at the Seventh Impressionist Exhibition in 1882 and received great praise. This painting brings together all of Renoir’s favorite things to capture—still lifes, portraits, and outdoor scenes. Like many of his works, it focuses on leisure and relaxation. The scene shows a group of people enjoying lunch on a sunny balcony at the Maison Fournaise, a restaurant near Paris where people could rent boats.
Pierre-Auguste Renoir, “Luncheon of the Boating Party,” 1880
Gustave Caillebotte, Paris Street-Rainy Day, 1877
Paris Street; Rainy Day, painted in 1877, is one of Gustave Caillebotte’s most famous works. It stands as a key example of Impressionism. The painting has a realistic approach to the figures, with detailed modeling. However, the composition is unique, featuring cropped figures. This was likely influenced by the rise of photography at the time. The scene captures a brief, fleeting moment of life in the city. This perfectly aligns with the Impressionist movement’s goal of portraying quick, everyday impressions of modern life.
Gustave Caillebotte, “Paris Street; Rainy Day,” 1877
Camille Pissarro, Pont Boieldieu in Rouen, Rainy Weather, 1896
Camille Pissarro, one of the founding members of the Impressionist movement, had a major influence on developing the style. He also encouraged artists to exhibit their work independently. His most famous paintings capture urban scenes from a high vantage point. Pont Boildieu in Rouen, Rainy Weather is part of a series he painted while staying in Rouen.
In a letter, Pissarro described the painting: “The theme is the bridge near the Place de la Bourse, with the effects of rain. There are crowds of people coming and going, smoke from the boats, cranes on the quays, workers in the foreground, and all of it is in grey colors, glistening in the rain.”
Camille Pissarro, “Pont Boieldieu in Rouen, Rainy Weather,” 1896
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