Impressionism__________________

Impressionism_( )_______ The Impressionist style of painting developed in the late 19 th century in France. It lasted from the early 1860’s to 1886 Earlier artistic movements, such as Realism, were influences. It was not until the 1880’s that Impressionist painters were accepted and acclaimed.

The Impressionists______________ Associated with a spontaneous style of painting where the brushwork is often visible. They believed that paint could be mixed directly on the canvas, and not the palette to maintain “purity”. Artists wished to capture the visual impression made by a scene; they were not concerned with giving a factual report of it. Impressionism caused critical outrage as the artist paints what s/he perceives rather than a solid world.

Colour, they discovered, is not an intrinsic, permanent characteristic of an object but changes constantly according the effects of light, reflection, or weather on the object’s surface. To meet the challenge of portraying such fleeting qualities of light, they created a distinctive short, choppy brushstroke.

Impressionism: characteristics___ The Impressionists focused on capturing the impression of a scene through effects produced by using light and color in various ways. Characterized by the use of unmixed (pure) primary colors and small strokes to simulate actual reflected light. Unconventional themes, usually drawn from nature or from urban scenes, rather than history, mythology or religion.

The Académie__________________________ The Académie Suisse included such students as Pissarro, Monet, and Cézanne. Each year the Académie sponsored an exhibition where its members judged entries. It was the restrictive nature of the judges, preferring established "accepted art," that prompted Monet and some other painters to exhibit their works separately. In 1863, jurors rejected 3,000 of 5,000 paintings submitted.

Impression: Sunrise_____________ This historic exhibition included Monet's famous Impression: Sunrise (1872), which is generally thought to have prompted the naming of the whole genre. In 1874 Degas, Sisley, Pissarro, Morisot, Reonoir, and Monet, among others, mounted their first group exhibition.

Le Salon des Réfusés____________ They were highly impressed by the works of Edouard Manet. They became outraged when they learned that he was refused for the 1863 Salon. The indignation was so high among the artistic population that Napoleon III allowed the opening of a “Salon des Refusés'', where Manet, Pissarro, etc. showed their works. Le Déjeuner sur l'herbe provoked a great enthusiasm among the young painters, who saw represented in Manet's painting many of their concerns.

Edouard Manet_________________ His work was modern in both its technique and its subject matter (part of the Realist school…) He was one of the first artists to begin to paint contemporary life. His work influenced the impressionists although he did not show with them. “Dejeuner sur l’herbe” caused a scandal as it challenged classical motifs. It was seen as voyeuristic and mildly pornographic.

Le Dejeuner sur L’herbe__________ Manet, Le Dejeuner sur L’herbe, Oil on canvas, Traditional elements (Triangular grouping, still life arrangement, goddesslike figure bathing at rear, and receding perspective) Nude woman (not idealized) sitting with two clothed men Contemporary look (modern dress), direct gaze, and the fact that she resembled no pagan deity scandalized people. Considered “a danger” to public morality

Eliminated subtle glazing Sketchy brushwork gave his pictures an unfinished look Images appear flat and hard Suggests form through broad, flat areas of colour In place of halftones to suggest volume, he used starkly contrasting light tones against dark.

Titian, Olympia/Venus of Urbino, oil on canvas, Manet, Olympia, 1863, oil on canvas, x 190 cm

In the 1870s, Manet’s brushwork became even freer and looser. As he began to accompany Monet and Renoir on painting trips, his work became even more indistinguishable from Impressionists Manet, A Bar at the Folies-Bergere, 1882

Claude Monet__________________ His interest lay in nature, movement and the fleeting natural effects of light. Monet’s few paintings of interiors and his images of city life are merely an excuse to study light in a different environment. He is best known for his series paintings, in which he explored particular subjects in differing light conditions at various times of day.

Monet, Rouen, 1880’s-90’s.

Monet, Water lilies, series made from late 1890’s- 1900’s.

He once said he wished he had been born blind and then gained his sight so he could, without preconceptions, truly paint what he saw. Revelation came at age 18 when he began to paint out-of-doors. “Suddenly a veil was torn away,” he said, “My destiny as a painter opened out to me.”

Monet, Water lilies, series made from late 1890’s- 1900’s.

Pierre-Auguste Renoir___________ favoured society portraits and pictures of the middle- classes at play (joyous people having fun). His works are characteristic of impressionism with his use of rapid brushstrokes, brilliant colours, and the optical effects of light. The Luncheon of the Boating Party, 1881 Oil on canvas x cm

Renoir, Moulin de la Galette,1876, oil on canvas, x cm

Mary Cassatt___________________ Created pictures of women, often with their children. The subjects of her works are limited to the private areas or domestic space or those belonging to polite society. She was largely responsible for introducing the impressionists to American collectors. Mary Cassatt, La Toilette, 1891, Oil on canvas, 39 1/2 x 26 in.

Edgar Degas__________________ Degas utilized modern motifs from the ballet, racetrack and brothel. Many of his works were offensive to the public. Compositionally, he created unusual viewpoints through asymmetry, eccentric cropping, and foreshortening. His concern for design and patterns gave his work an abstract quality.

Degas, The Tub,1886, oil on canvas.