The impressionism It is an artistic movement that marked a before and after in the history of art. It originated in the middle of the 19th century in France and the name of this style arose from an exhibition and commentary on the work “Impression of the Rising Sun” by Claude Monet.
As we are going to tell you below, just as you will be able to perceive for yourselves, it is characterized by the artists’ interest in the effect of light on the objects they represented, as well as for the handling of it to move the observer.
Roughly speaking, to put it very briefly, although there would be much more to say about this style, they applied rough brushstrokes that from close up they would be nothing more than a stain but, if one observed the painting from a certain distance, one could see all the harmony of the scene thanks to the Play of light and shadows that were created on the canvas. In this way, it does not create an accurate representation of what is painted, but the feeling that it generates in the author.
Undoubtedly, Impressionism marked a before and after because it also had a great influence on successive artistic movements, such as the postimpressionism, where Van Gogh’s work is framed.
Claude Monet (1840-1926)
You can’t talk about impressionism without talking about Claude Monet, since he is the representative of said artistic movement. As we pointed out at the beginning of the article, in the 1874 exhibition of his work «Impression of the rising sun» the name for this artistic style arises.
If you see his works you will realize the special interest he showed for the scenery, just as you can see how it perfectly reflected the incidence of light depending on the time of day. One of the places that has been represented the most in his works is the Japanese-style garden of his house in Giverny.
Some of his most representative works are: The Water Lilies (250 pieces of oil paintings) and La Gare Saint-Lazare.
Edouard Manet (1832-1833)
Interestingly, Manet considered himself to be a realist artist, although many have seen his works as a bridge between realism and impressionism. He was one of the pioneers in turning everyday life into a theme in his works, just as -due to some of his works- he has been considered the symbol of renewal, or rebellion, depending on which who.
For example, one of the works that generated the most stir was “Le Déjeuner sur l’Herbe”, the picnic, in which he portrays a naked woman while sharing lunch with two dressed men, just as there is another woman at the end of it with little clothing. What also generated great controversy is that they were recognized people, part of their relatives and their favorite model. You can see the painting in the Musée d’Orsay (Paris).
Pierre Auguste Renoir (1841-1919)
Renoir got his start in the art world as a porcelain painter while studying drawing. Over the years, with a lot of work and effort, he ended up being one of the most famous artists of his time.
His works are characterized by being of a beauty extraordinary, capturing the beauty of landscapes, happy scenes or portraits of beautiful people. Surely you will remember many of his works, especially those in which he painted a group of people in a daily scene, managing to immortalize an instant.
Some of his most famous works are the Dance at the Moulin de la Galette, The Luncheon of the Rowers, The Bathers, among others.
Gustave Caillebotte (1848-1894)
Although he was overshadowed by his contemporaries, Caillebotte created a pictorial style of his own, belonging to realism but also heavily influenced by impressionism. It is considered that his work showed what was done as he saw it, as it existed, but if you look at his paintings you will see that he is a painter who varied a lot in his technique, experimenting with other ways of creating that were similar to other contemporaries. For example, you can find a great richness in colors, although he tends more to pastels – like the rest of his colleagues – just as he maintains a loose brushstroke.
One of the works that impressed me by this author is Los achilladores de parquet, but do not lose sight of other works such as Calle de París or his own self-portrait.
Marie Bracquemond (1840-1916)
French painter, engraver and ceramist, she went unnoticed at times but is undoubtedly considered one of the three ladies of impressionism. It is believed that she stopped painting tired of criticism from her husband, also a painter who was not a supporter of Impressionism.
However, the beauty of his work is still admired today. He stands out for the use of color and textures that he creates, the combination of light and shadow to give each of his works an unparalleled beauty and elegance.
Some of his most important works are La merienda, Las Tres Gracias, and Pierre painting a still life of flowers.
Edgar Degas (1834-1917)
Degas was not only French painter, also sculptor and engraver. He is considered one of the founders of Impressionism, although he was not a big fan of the name.
He is one of those authors that you cannot miss because he had the ability to capture and immortalize life and movement, transferring all this to his works and creating a sensation so realistic that one could feel that he was part of it. If not, look at his works of ballet dancers, it seems that one is like an observer but without interrupting the scene.
Some of his best-known works are Absinthe, Cotton Exchange Office in New Orleans, and Place de la Concorde.
Mary Cassatt (1844-1926)
Mary Cassatt was an American painter and printmaker who spent much of her life in France. Among her contacts with her artists, Degas stands out, who, like her, also created within an Impressionist line. She is considered one of the great Impressionist painters, along with Marie Bracquemond and Berthe Morisot.
Some of his most outstanding works are the Girl in the Blue Armchair and The Child’s Bath are some of his most outstanding works.
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