What Is Impressionist Art? Try It Yourself

Impressionism was an artistic movement defined by a group of talented artists known for their innovative approach to art and their desire to capture the beauty of the moment. After reading the text, you’ll find an exercise at the bottom of the page where you can try painting in an impressionist style yourself.

Impressionism

Impressionism is an artistic movement that emerged in France in the mid-19th century. It became one of the most influential movements in art history, and its impact can still be seen in modern art today.

The word impressionism comes from the French word impression, meaning “impression” or “perception.” The focus is on what is experienced — the mood and the present moment.

Impressionist painters sought to capture the moment and the fleeting snapshot of reality that was central to their work. They focused on painting the shifting light and colors of a scene, often using short, visible brushstrokes to create a sense of movement and life. Impressionists also adopted an open color palette — a new technique at the time — which allowed them to create bright and vivid colors.

Impressionist art was initially controversial and not recognized by the established art world. However, over time it gained acceptance, and impressionist works are now exhibited in museums and galleries around the world.

Characteristics of Impressionism

Impressionism focuses on the fleeting moment — capturing the changing light and colors found in nature.
Here are some of the main characteristics of impressionism:

1. Focus on light: Impressionist painters were fascinated by the effect of light on colors in nature and often painted outdoors to capture the changing atmosphere.
2. Visible brushstrokes: They used short, visible strokes of paint to create a sense of movement and vitality in their paintings.
3. Open color palette: Impressionists used a broader range of colors and often chose lighter, more vibrant tones to depict light and shadow.
4. Everyday subjects: They sought to capture the beauty of everyday life, often portraying scenes and people from their surroundings.
5. Depiction of movement: Impressionist painters aimed to portray motion and light in ways that gave their works a dynamic and lively feel.
6. Plein-air painting: Many impressionists painted outdoors, striving to capture natural light and atmosphere as directly as possible.

Impressionist Painters

• Claude Monet (1840–1926) – One of the most famous impressionist artists, known for his paintings of water lilies, gardens, and landscapes. Monet was a master at capturing light and color in nature in a unique way.
• Pierre-Auguste Renoir (1841–1919) – A French impressionist painter known for his depictions of figures, landscapes, and flowers. His style is characterized by bright colors and a smooth, sculptural quality in his brushwork.
• Edgar Degas (1834–1917) – A French impressionist artist best known for his paintings of ballet dancers, horses, and scenes from Parisian nightlife. He also worked extensively with pastels and sculpture.
• Berthe Morisot (1841–1895) – A female impressionist painter known for her portraits and paintings of women and children. She was a close friend of Manet and Renoir and later married Manet’s brother.
• Camille Pissarro (1830–1903) – A French impressionist painter recognized for his landscapes and depictions of rural life. He was also an important mentor to other impressionists, including Cézanne and Gauguin.
• Mary Cassatt (1844–1926) – An American impressionist painter known for her depictions of mothers and children and female figures in social settings. She was a close friend of Degas and Morisot and the only American woman to exhibit with the French impressionists.
• Gustave Caillebotte (1848–1894) – A French impressionist painter noted for his realistic depictions of Parisian streets and city life. His style was more realistic than that of other impressionists but still defined by his use of light and color.
• Alfred Sisley (1839–1899) – A British impressionist artist who lived in France and mainly painted landscapes and river scenes. His work is characterized by a sense of calm and harmony.
• Édouard Manet (1832–1883) – A French painter regarded as one of the early impressionists. He was known for his paintings of figures, Parisian nightlife, and landscapes. His style was more realistic than that of his contemporaries, but he played a key role in the movement’s development.
• Paul Cézanne (1839–1906) – A French impressionist painter known for his mountain landscapes and still lifes.
• Eva Gonzalès (1849–1883) – A French impressionist painter and one of the few female students of Manet. She is known for her paintings of women in intimate indoor settings.
• Marie Bracquemond (1840–1916) – A French impressionist painter celebrated for her depictions of women in everyday moments and as one of the few female members of the impressionist exhibition group.
• Berthe Weill (1865–1951) – A French art dealer and artist who was an important patron of many impressionist painters and one of the few female art dealers in early 20th-century Paris.
• Suzanne Valadon (1865–1938) – A French painter and model known for her portraits and paintings of female figures.

American Impressionism

American impressionism emerged in the late 19th century, inspired by the French impressionist movement but adapted to American landscapes and sensibilities. American painters embraced the impressionist fascination with light, color, and atmosphere, but often combined it with a stronger sense of structure and realism. The movement gained popularity after American artists studied in Paris and brought the style back to the United States, where it developed its own identity.

Artists such as Childe Hassam, Mary Cassatt, John Henry Twachtman, and Theodore Robinson were central figures in American impressionism. They depicted urban scenes, gardens, and the natural beauty of New England and the American countryside. Unlike their French counterparts, American impressionists often focused on the harmony between people and nature, portraying a sense of peace and optimism reflective of the American spirit.

American impressionism flourished between the 1890s and the 1920s and laid the foundation for modern American art, influencing later movements such as realism and regionalism.

Danish Impressionism

Danish impressionism was an artistic movement that emerged in the late 19th century and flourished in the early 20th century. It was inspired by French impressionism, but the Danish version was more restrained and less radical in its expression.

Some of the most well-known Danish impressionist painters include:

• Alhed Larsen (1872–1927) – Known for her paintings of landscapes and interiors, she was part of the artist colony in Skagen.
• Vilhelm Hammershøi (1864–1916) – Renowned for his paintings of quiet interiors and still lifes.
• Marie Krøyer (1867–1940) – Known for her floral and garden paintings, she was also the model and muse of her husband, Peder Severin Krøyer.
• Peder Severin Krøyer (1851–1909) – A member of the Skagen Painters, famous for his depictions of summer landscapes and beach scenes.
• Theodor Philipsen (1840–1920) – Known for his paintings of the Danish countryside and natural light.
• Anna Ancher (1859–1935) – Recognized for her interior paintings and portrayals of human figures bathed in natural light.
• Laurits Tuxen (1853–1927) – Known for his portraits of royalty and aristocrats as well as his landscapes and harbor scenes.
• Anna Syberg (1870–1914) – Known for her floral and landscape paintings, she was part of the artists’ colony on the island of Funen.

Danish impressionism also influenced other art forms such as architecture and design, and it was part of a broader cultural movement in Denmark aimed at modernizing art and culture.

Impressionist Writing Style

The impressionist writing style is a literary movement that emerged in the late 19th century, inspired by the French impressionist art movement. It describes a way of portraying the world and experiences in a more subjective and emotional manner.

The main characteristics of impressionist literature include:

1. Depictions of the world through moments and snapshots rather than in a chronological or linear form.
2. Focus on details, colors, and sounds to create a vivid and realistic experience for the reader.
3. Use of poetic language and metaphors to convey emotions and impressions more vividly.
4. Portrayal of inner thoughts and feelings in relation to the external environment.
5. Use of repetition and variation to create rhythm and musicality in the text.

Some of the most famous impressionist writers include Marcel Proust, Virginia Woolf, and James Joyce. The impressionist writing style has had a major influence on modern literature and continues to inspire authors and poets today.

Some of the most well-known Danish impressionist writers include:

• Johanne Marie Hansen-Krone (1841–1935) – A Danish author who wrote both fiction and journalism. She was one of the first Danish writers to experiment with the impressionist style and is known for her short stories and novels written in this form.
• Johannes V. Jensen (1873–1950) – Known for his novels and short stories that describe nature and the relationship between humans and their surroundings in an impressionist manner.
• Herman Bang (1857–1912) – Famous for his impressionist portrayal of social nuances and human psychology in his novels and short stories.
• Thit Jensen (1876–1957) – A Danish author and women’s rights advocate, known for her impressionist depictions of women’s lives and struggles in a male-dominated world.
• Sophus Claussen (1865–1931) – Known for his lyrical and impressionist poetry that portrays nature and emotions in a poetic and sensory way.
• Karin Michaëlis (1872–1950) – A Danish author who wrote both fiction and biographies. She was one of the leading impressionist writers in Denmark and part of the “Impressionist Circle,” which included some of the country’s most prominent writers and artists of the time.
• Martin A. Hansen (1909–1955) – Known for his novels focusing on the inner lives and relationships of people in an impressionist style.

These Danish impressionist writers used literature to capture moments and impressions in a subjective and emotional way, much like impressionist painters did in their art. They often wrote about everyday life and fleeting experiences, emphasizing the immediacy of the moment.

How to Paint an Impressionist Portrait

An impressionist portrait is painted in a way that captures a momentary impression of the person and their surroundings. It is a more subjective and emotional way of portraying a person than the traditional and realistic style.

Here are some tips for painting an impressionist portrait:

1. Use a light color palette: Impressionist painters often used bright and clear colors. Choose light tones that suit the person and the surroundings.
2. Apply short brushstrokes: Impressionist painters used small brushstrokes to create a spontaneous and momentary feel. Use short strokes to make your portrait more dynamic.
3. Focus on light: Impressionists paid great attention to light and how it affects the subject and the environment. Use light and shadow to add depth and volume to the portrait.
4. Create a sense of movement: Impressionist painters often sought to depict movement. Use short strokes and bright colors to give the portrait a sense of life and energy.
5. Keep it loose and spontaneous: Impressionist artists focused on immediacy and emotion. Paint in a loose, expressive style to create a more personal and lively portrait.

Remember, an impressionist portrait doesn’t need to resemble the person exactly — instead, it should express their character and personality in a more emotional and subjective way.