Impressionism

Impressionism is a 19th century art movement that began as a loose art movement with painting. This originated with a group of Paris based artists whose independent exhibitions brought them to prominence during the 1870s and 1880s. The scientific discoveries and inventions of the 19th century had an important influence on the way painters worked. New research encouraged artists to experiment with complementary colours.

Impressionist painting characteristics include relatively small, thin, yet visible brush strokes, open composition, emphasis on accurate depiction of light in its changing qualities ( often accentuating the effects of the passage of time), ordinary subject matter, inclusion of movement as a crucial element of human perception and experience, and unusual visual angles. 

This movement has effected other people such as writers, fashion designers and music composers.

One of the main artists that emerged during this movement was Claud Monet (1840 - 1926). He was a French impressionist based artist and the most consistent and prolific practitioner of the movement's philosophy of expressing one's perceptions before nature. The term "Impressionism" is derived from the title of his painting Impression, soleil levant (Impression Sunrise) which was exhibited in 1874 in the first of the independent exhibitions. Monet is known for many paintings but most famously for 'Water Lillies' 'The Beach At Travaille' 'Impression Sunrise' 'Poppies' 'Wheatstacks'. 

Another French impressionist was Paul Cézanne (1839 - 1906). Cézanne's often repetitive, exploratory brushstrokes are highly characteristic and clearly recognizable. He used planes of colour and small brushstrokes that build up to form complex fields. The paintings convey Cézanne's intense study of his subjects. He also uses open composition and also drew many still lifes. Like Monet Cézanne also works and paints from nature, however he also painted using watercolour and also painted portraits. 

Some of his art work includes 'The Black Marble Clock' 'Bend In The Road Through The Forest' 'The Basket Of Apples' 'Self Portrait'. 

Pierre August Renoir (1841 - 1919) was also a French Impressionist artist. Renoir's paintings are notable for their vibrant light and saturated color, most often focusing on people in intimate and candid compositions. The female nude was one of his primary subjects. In characteristic Impressionist style, Renoir suggested the details of a scene through freely brushed touches of color, so that his figures softly fuse with one another and their surroundings. He did many of his painting onto oil canvas but also many portraits. Some of his art work include 'Bal du moulin de la Galette' (Dance at Le moulin de la Galette) ' The Theatre Box'. 

Edgar Degas (1834 - 1917) was another French impressionist artist. He was famous for his paintings, sculptures, prints and drawings. He is especially identified with the subject of dance, more than half of his works depict dancers. He is regarded as one of the founders of impressionism, although he rejected the term, preferring to be called a realist.  Some of his art work include 'The Bellelli Family' 'Dance Class'. 

Some of Renoir's sculptures also include 'Little Dancer Of Fourteen Years' 'The Spanish Dance'.