IMPRESSIONISTIC ART and WRITING

IMPRESSIONISTIC ARTWORK The term “impressionism” was first coined to describe works that appeared sketchy and unfinished.

CHARACTERISTICS OF IMPRESSIONISTIC ARTWORK Impressionists create shadow by using color. Artists employ purples, yellows, and other colors to suggest colored shadows and reflected light. In so doing, they heighten the effects that captured their attention when painting in the open air.

In the late 19th century, the Impressionists defied academic tradition in French art with their emphasis on modern subjects, sketch-like technique, and practice of painting in the open air with pure color.

Many of the French and American Impressionists collected and were influenced by Japanese woodblock prints. Japanese printmakers implied spatial relationship by placing one object behind another in overlapping planes.

By the sea Auguste RENOIR 1883 Metropolitan Museum of Art, NY

La Japonaise Claude Monet 1876; Museum of Fine Arts, Boston

At The Piano James Abbott McNeill Whistler 1858-59 The Taft Museum, Cincinnati, Ohio

Beach at Sainte-Adresse MONET 1867 Art Institute of Chicago

IMPRESSIONISTIC WRITING Authors are grouped together (like artists) who approach their craft the same way. Writers include: Joseph Conrad, James Joyce, and Henry James

CHARACTERISTICS OF IMPRESSIONIST WRITERS: Narrative style that is intentionally ambiguous, putting more responsibility on the reader to form a conclusion about events within the novel, rather than relying on the narrator.

The action almost seems accidental – seeming to appear in slow motion. The action is described through the eyes of the character while the events are occurring, rather than providing details after the character has processed the actions. The action almost seems accidental – seeming to appear in slow motion.

They are concerned with the “emotional landscape” of the setting. Interested in ways that setting and imagery evoke emotional responses from both the characters and the reader.

Details are used in such a way that it’s sometimes difficult to see a clear picture of events; details are focused on too closely. Much like the artwork, a full picture can be seen when stepping back from the novel to view it in its entirety.

The writers often avoid a chronological telling of events The writers often avoid a chronological telling of events. Instead, they give the information in a way that forces the reader to focus on HOW and WHY things happen, rather than the order in which they occur.

Reflection Questions What are some of the techniques of impressionistic painters? How are these techniques similar to impressionistic writers? How does this style of writing help to build suspense and ambiguity? Support the idea that Conrad is an impressionist writer with evidence of this style in Heart of Darkness.