Impressionism, a revolutionary art movement that emerged in the late nineteenth century, marked a watershed moment in art history by introducing techniques and concepts that challenged traditional painting norms and practices. This article explores Impressionism’s origins, key characteristics, influential artists, and long-lasting impact, providing insights into its significance in the art world.
Origins of Impressionism
Impressionism emerged in France in the 1860s and 1870s, at a time of social, political, and cultural upheaval. The movement arose from artists’ desire to break free from the constraints of academic painting, which imposed strict rules on technique, composition, and subject matter. The term “Impressionism” originates from Claude Monet’s painting “Impression, Sunrise” (Impression, soleil levant), which was featured in the first Impressionist exhibition in 1874. Critics mocked the term at first, but artists embraced it, and it quickly became the name of one of the most influential movements in art history.
Impressionist art has several key characteristics that set it apart:
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