Impressionism & Post Impressionism Grade 11 Art History Painting Unit

What is Impressionism? Impressionism is a style of painting that is intended to show what is seen not necessary what it there. Impressionism is a style of painting that is intended to show what is seen not necessary what it there. It concentrates on painting with colour and the light and atmosphere of a scene. It concentrates on painting with colour and the light and atmosphere of a scene. It focuses on movement, through the transient quality of light and colour. The passage of time. It focuses on movement, through the transient quality of light and colour. The passage of time. It has loose a free feeling and style. It is basically a glimpse of a subject not a perfect recreation or copy. It has loose a free feeling and style. It is basically a glimpse of a subject not a perfect recreation or copy. Subject matter was mostly focused on scenery, landscapes and everyday life. Subject matter was mostly focused on scenery, landscapes and everyday life.

Who were the Impressionists? The impressionists worked closely together as a group to and as a result they developed a similar their style. Many of their works are hard to tell apart. The impressionists worked closely together as a group to and as a result they developed a similar their style. Many of their works are hard to tell apart. They were originally rejected from the biggest art exhibition of their time that took place in Paris called “le Salon” They were originally rejected from the biggest art exhibition of their time that took place in Paris called “le Salon” They decided to have their own exhibition called “Le Salon des Refuses” They decided to have their own exhibition called “Le Salon des Refuses” CLAUDE MONET ( ) MARY CASSATT ( ) EDGAR DEGAS ( ) CAMILLE PISSARRO ( ) PIERRE-AUGUSTE RENOIR ( ) GEORGES SEURAT

What is Post-Impressionism? Post-impressionism is a movement that followed impressionism. The subject matter is the same as it was for the impressionists but it was shown using sharper, often outlined edges, bright and bold (less realistic) colours and more texture was evident in application of paint. They did not focus on recording light and colour as it really appeared. Post-impressionism is a movement that followed impressionism. The subject matter is the same as it was for the impressionists but it was shown using sharper, often outlined edges, bright and bold (less realistic) colours and more texture was evident in application of paint. They did not focus on recording light and colour as it really appeared. Post-impressionism marks the start of the modern era in art. Post-impressionism marks the start of the modern era in art. Uses colour and shape that is bold, strong and powerful. Uses colour and shape that is bold, strong and powerful.

Who were the Post- Impressionists? The post-impressionists did not work as a group. They were not a collaborative movement like the impressionists. They came up with their own more unique techniques and aesthetics so it is easier to distinguish one artist’s work from the other then it is with the impressionists. The post-impressionists did not work as a group. They were not a collaborative movement like the impressionists. They came up with their own more unique techniques and aesthetics so it is easier to distinguish one artist’s work from the other then it is with the impressionists. VINCENT VAN GOGH HENRI de TOULOUSE-LAUTREC PAUL GAUGUIN PAUL CEZANNE EDOUARD MANET ( )

How Did They Paint? The Impressionists and the Post-Impressionists used similar and distinct techniques and styles to create their works of art. It is this technique and style, in addition to the subject matter that they painted, that makes them so important and unique. The Impressionists and the Post-Impressionists used similar and distinct techniques and styles to create their works of art. It is this technique and style, in addition to the subject matter that they painted, that makes them so important and unique. Here are the important methods they used…. Here are the important methods they used….

How Did They Paint? Pure Colour focused on Light Pure Colour focused on Light Pure colour was applied to the canvas. It was always pre-mixed before being applied to the canvas. There is little blending. As a result, Colours were very vivid. Colours became bolder in post- impressionistic work. Small patches and changes in colour placed very closely together were often used in impressionist paintings. (eg. Monet and Cezanne)

Monet, Claude Monet, Claude Water Lilies (The Clouds), 1903 Oil on canvas, 74.6 x cm (29 3/8 x 41 7/16 in.) Private collection

Cezanne, Paul Le Mont Sainte-Victoire, x 99 cm (31 x 39 in) Hermitage, St. Peter’sburg, Russia

Cezanne, Paul Le Mont Sainte-Victoire, 1900

Cezanne, Paul Un Coin de Table

Cezanne, Paul

How Did They Paint? Loose Brush Strokes Loose Brush Strokes Liberal and free brush strokes were used to apply the paint. Often you can see “brush marks” and where the artist stopped and started individual colours. Post Impressionists sometimes used swirling brush work. (eg. Van Gogh)

Monet, Claude Monet, Claude Impressionism Sunrise,

Renoir, Pierre Auguste On The Terrace, x 81 cm (39 1/2 x 31 7/8") Art Institute of Chicago

Van Gogh, Vincent Starry Night, x 92 cm (29 x 36 1/4 in) Museum of Modern Art, New York

How Did They Paint? Small or Broken Brush Strokes Small or Broken Brush Strokes Usually small, broken brush work was used so that every real detail of colour and changes in light was recorded. Sometimes entire paintings were done with all parallel or diagonal brush strokes. (eg. Renoir, Degas) Some were entirely completed using a technique called “Pointilism”. (eg. Seurat) These techniques, much like the patches of colour previously mentioned, were used to create form and shadow and casue your eye to “mix” the colours as you look at the painting because the colours are placed so closely together and are so small. These techniques, much like the patches of colour previously mentioned, were used to create form and shadow and casue your eye to “mix” the colours as you look at the painting because the colours are placed so closely together and are so small.

Pierre-Auguste Renoir The Swing, 1876 Oil on canvas, 92 x 73 cm (36 1/4 x 28 3/4") The Musee D’Orsay, Paris

Pierre-Auguste Renoir Boatign on the Scene Oil on canvas

How Did They Paint? Pointilism Technique Pointilism Technique Pointilism (similar to stipple in pen and ink/pencil work) Tiny dots of paint. It takes the broken small and visible brush strokes one step further. Sometimes called “neo-impressionism” Sometimes called “neo-impressionism”

Seurat, Georges La Grande Jatte, a /4 x 121 1/4-inches or x 308 cm Art Institute of Chicago

How Did They Paint? Defined Edges Defined Edges Some of the post impressionist work is recognizable by the vivid strong colour and the crisper more defined edges of the work. Feeling and Emotion Feeling and Emotion Some Post impressionists felt capturing feeling and emotion was most important to their work and rejected how the Impressonists used colour. They chose to use colour to show the emotion associated with a subject and not the effects of light on a subject. Some Post impressionists felt capturing feeling and emotion was most important to their work and rejected how the Impressonists used colour. They chose to use colour to show the emotion associated with a subject and not the effects of light on a subject.

Henri Toulouse-Lautrec Au Salon du Rue des Moulins, 1894 Oil on Canvas

Henri Toulouse-Lautrec

How Did They Paint? Themes/Subject Matter : Scenery, Landscapes & Everyday Life Themes/Subject Matter : Scenery, Landscapes & Everyday Life Since they lived and worked mostly in France, country sides, landscapes, the artist’s residence and the sites and everyday city scenes of Paris were most often depicted in their paintings.

Degas, Edward Les repasseuses (Women Ironing), x 81 cm (29 7/8 x 31 7/8 in) Musee D’Orsay, Paris

Van Gogh, Vincent Café Terrace at Night, x 92 cm (29 x 36 1/4 in) Musee D’Orsay, Paris

Seurat, Georges The Eiffel Tower, x 92 cm (29 x 36 1/4 in) Museum of Fine Arts, San Fransisco

How Did They Sculpt? It is interesting how the sculpture resembles the stylistic attributes of the painted work from this time period. Sculpture was very focused on how ligth and shadow would interact with form rather than how light and colour were applied. Emotion was also a very important focus of impressionistic/post impressionist sculpture. Capturing the moment was very much an important aspect of sculpture in this time. Just like it was for painting. Emotion was also a very important focus of impressionistic/post impressionist sculpture. Capturing the moment was very much an important aspect of sculpture in this time. Just like it was for painting.

Edgar Degas The Little Dancer Aged 14 Bronze (the only sculpture he chose to exhibit in his lifetime)

Edgar Degas Dancer Fourth Position Bronze Edgar Degas Dancer Looking at the Sole of her Right Foot Bronze

Edgar Degas Bronze

Edgar Degas Dancers in Pink Oil on Canvas

Edgar Degas The Dance Examination Pastel Denver Museum of Art

Auguste Rodin The Thinker Cast Bronze Paris, France

Auguste Rodin Burghers of Calais (Citizens of Calais) Cast Bronze Paris, France

Auguste Rodin Stone Paris, France

Auguste Rodin and Camille Claudel

How were the Influential and what was accomplished? They changed and rejected conventions in painting and sculpture. - bold use of colour and shadow, often using complimentary colours for shadows -spontaneous and bold technique., choppy distinct and visible brushwork -sacrificed fine detail for atmosphere and light. -concept of paint being “mixed with the eye” in their work. -composition using unusual arrangements which emphasized shapes and forms at the edge of the image. Asymmetry and partial view points. Drastic cropping. edge of the image. Asymmetry and partial view points. Drastic cropping. -first to embrace “en plein air” -Impressionism was the first movement of modern art and had a massive effect on the development of art in the 20th century. Like most revolutionary styles Impressionism was gradually absorbed into the mainstream and its limitations became frustrating to the succeeding generation. Post-Impressionism….which in turn gives us a plethora of other styles in the modern movement.

How were they Influential? We can clearly see the influence that the impressionists had on the Canadian artists: “The Group of Seven” Just like the impressionists, the Group of Seven were not welcomed by critics and their work was quite controversial and unaccepted at first. This is why the style of the artists in the Group of Seven is often referred to as “Canadian Impressionism”

The Group of Seven: Often referd to as CANADIAN IMPRESSIONISM!

The Group of Seven: Often referd to as CANADIAN IMPRESSIONISM!

The Group of Seven: Often referd to as CANADIAN IMPRESSIONISM!