Pat & Carrol’s Guide to Impressionism!

In the late 19 th century, French art was largely controlled by the Academy system. Accepted artistic standards were traditional and highly conservative. From these restrictions, the Salon de Refusés was born.

Traveled much in his early life, in the wake of European wars. Preferred to paint landscapes and pastoral settings. Many of his works were refused acceptance into the Academy,

“Landscape is nothing but an impression, and an instantaneous one.” -Claude Monet Impression, Sunrise

Fascinated by the interplay of light, shadow, and color. Preferred to paint outside, almost always nature scenes. Used swift, overlapping brushstrokes, allowing the viewer’s eye to put the image together.

Monet was a revolutionary, developing an entirely new artistic movement His paintings did not have a narrative component, unlike what was popular at the time. Would paint the same scenes over and over, observing how they changed.

Painted light, uncomplicated scenes that can be understood without context. Profoundly affected by the pure, aesthetic beauty of nature. Believed artists should be free to pursue their passions.

Created the term “Impressionism,” and blazed a trail for dozens of other artists to follow. Influenced the development of the landscape as a serious, meaningful subject. Freed the artist from the constraint of the studio