Art History Of Impressionism

In a time when artistic freedom was severely limited, the French Impressionists tirelessly explored new artistic frontiers despite hostile encounters with the public, ultimately redefining the world’s perspective on art.

In the mid- to late 1800s, a group of artists challenged the conventions that governed artistic expression. These artists, later known as the Impressionists, were initially seen as vulgar and rebellious. It took years for the public and artistic community to accept them and their work. They set up their canvases outside, using wide brush strokes and vibrant colors as they focused on expression over realism.

The Impressionist movement began in France in the 1860s, when several art students challenged the established artistic

The city of Philadelphia notably showcased many of America’s first Impressionist works. Eventually, Impressionism grew rapidly in America, aided by artists like Mary Cassatt. Cassatt, an American Impressionist, learned of the French movement and adapted its styles. She later moved to France and influenced Edgar Degas, a well-known Impressionist.

The Italian Macchiaioli movement bore a striking resemblance to Impressionism. Artists employed macchie—quick, broad strokes—in their art. They blended light and shadow and, like the Impressionists, disobeyed many of the “rules” of art in the process. Telemaco Signorini, a notable artist in the movement, used these styles to achieve remarkable effects, and he too left quite an impression on Degas, who would later imitate Signorini’s styles in his own work.

Although its lasting impact would continue for centuries, Impressionism soon gave way to another style known as Post-Impressionism. This movement included artists like Paul Cézanne, Vincent Van Gogh, and Paul Gauguin, who blended the vibrancy of Impressionism with their own unique styles. Gauguin, for instance, was known for greater realism than the Impressionists, while Van Gogh often used darker tones to create a deeper sense of