From Impressionism to Futurism: A Global Perspective

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The impact felt by the art world in the final decade of the century would emphasize the activities of artists in Paris. Impressionism and post-impressionism featured Color arrangement and attention to emphasizing reality as opposed to portraying objects in a direct way. These, and other attributes, were the affectations that Charles Rollo Peters and Gottardo Piazzoni would develop in their sparse display and heavy tones. The styles of work that were being created during this time would often be hazy and the techniques being utilized were often radically different than those that were being used in an academic setting. The widespread popularity of Plen-aire painting would become advantageous to the painters who enjoyed representing landscapes and painting in the evening. Often this powerful symbolism and the capturing of natural subjects were compared to the wood prints of Japan. The transition of art movements that were taking place most of the impressionist painters lives would move from impressionism of post-impressionism to futurism. All three movements are coincided with the developments of technology in the cities as well as the infatuation with shapes and color blocking that pervaded the wood-block prints of Japan. Throughout the past four-hundred years, there has been a stark change in how the world perceives and realizes art- from scrolls to canvas, to spray-painting the sides of buildings, there consistently is someone who can see a new way to deliver their expression. This message was true in the way that Paul Cézanne would portray his art. The piece Mont. Sainte-Victoire (1906), is labeled as a cubist piece, however it carries over the techniques and philosophies that were utilized by painters in America, Europe and Ja... ... middle of paper ... ...better defined image. The linear clarity is made more visibly off-set by the warmth of color that radiates off the mountain top. The woman in prayer, although neatly defined with shadow, has an unclear expression that is reminiscent of the ukiyo-e style. What also reminds this writer of ukiyo-e, is the attention to impermanence in the position of the setting sun. The artist Charles Rollo Peters is one who is famous for his nocturne settings. The layering of colors to displace the subject creates a flat perspective that reminds one of wood block prints, through out of focus and off-centered subjects. What increases in distance, is not hinted at through shading of perception- in Visitation, distance and importance is made known through size. The fading colors to the west are passing through the time, much like the visit from the spirit- the fleeting nature of beauty.

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