Impressionism
Lindsay Boulerice
Background:
Prior to the Impressionist era art was generally done with controlled subjects, lighting, and atmosphere. Romanticism followed the enlightenment period and was a primary focus before the movement. Subjects tended to be important political role models, and painting and sculpture attempted to create ideal images of what the future could bring inspired by the new ideas of the enlightenment. In America this era was focused on presenting the achievements and attempts to create a cultural identity after the Revolutionary War. Art was created in an optimistic approach.[1]
Turning Point
Impressionism originated in attempts to grasp a spontaneous nature to art as opposed to a “calculated one”. Instead of being inside a studio with set lighting and models standing still for hours the artists began painting outdoors with natural lighting. Impressionism is an expression of art that leaves the viewer with only a certain level of understanding. The artists with light colors and soft strokes gave the art only hints of the whole picture. The natural light was used to create a romantic or dreamy state to the paintings giving the impression of a subjective point of view.[2] Famous artists of the time including Claude Monet, Edgar Degas, and Alfred Sisley all created beautiful paintings of places or subjects without insisting on fine details. Monet particularly in his later years painted in a style that alluded to his subjects being only temporary, and emphasized the solitude in landscapes. Auguste Renoir, also a great impressionist artist used more detail to create a very soft image but still with a dreamlike state. “Two Sisters” a painting done in 1881, fascinated viewers with two sisters in the foreground seeming like solids in the painting as opposed to the background which appears to be fantasy. The swap of these two items creates an intangible presence of the ladies on the terrace and allows the viewer to attach to the subjects and be drawn into the mystery of that day.[3]
Impressionism created challenges for the artists, capturing the light to generate the proper mood was a difficult task. Choosing which colors were appropriate to produce a suitable effect made painting scenery a struggle. Artists went through phases of using only a particular color shaded in a variety of ways to create emotion. Greens, yellows, blues, blacks and shades of grey could give rise a season or ambience the artist wanted to portray. Using shades of green and slight bluish hues would allow a painting to appear to have a chilled effect, while yellows show warmth. [4]
Effect:
Changing from a structured art form to one that leaves more to the imagination led the path to expressionism. The options for artist to create their own style of work allowed for new styles to develop, the acceptance of these works proved that society would tolerate a new genre of art. Impressionist artist ideally intended to leave their mark on the world, through bright colorful art that let the recipient form their own ideas about what the art is trying to portray. Curiosity is highly involved in the impressionist era, creating something that allows another individual to wonder evokes emotional responses that other art forms lack.
[1] Pease, Donald. Romanticism. 2007.
[2] Impressionism. Phillips Encyclopedia. 2007.
[3] Brettell, Richard. French Impressionists. New York. 54,71.
[4] Blunden,Maria. Impressionists and Impressionism. New York. 27-30.
Bibliography
Brettell, Richard. French Impressionists The Art Institute of Chicago. New York. 1987. 54.71
Blunden, Maria . Impressionists and Impressionism. New York. Skira Incorporated. 1980. Pg. 27-30.
Impressionism. Phillips Encyclopedia 2008. Phillips. 2007.
Pease, Donald. Romanticism. The Encyclopedia of the United States In the Nineteenth Century. The Gale Group. Farmington Hills. 2007.
Lindsay Boulerice
Background:
Prior to the Impressionist era art was generally done with controlled subjects, lighting, and atmosphere. Romanticism followed the enlightenment period and was a primary focus before the movement. Subjects tended to be important political role models, and painting and sculpture attempted to create ideal images of what the future could bring inspired by the new ideas of the enlightenment. In America this era was focused on presenting the achievements and attempts to create a cultural identity after the Revolutionary War. Art was created in an optimistic approach.[1]
Turning Point
Impressionism originated in attempts to grasp a spontaneous nature to art as opposed to a “calculated one”. Instead of being inside a studio with set lighting and models standing still for hours the artists began painting outdoors with natural lighting. Impressionism is an expression of art that leaves the viewer with only a certain level of understanding. The artists with light colors and soft strokes gave the art only hints of the whole picture. The natural light was used to create a romantic or dreamy state to the paintings giving the impression of a subjective point of view.[2] Famous artists of the time including Claude Monet, Edgar Degas, and Alfred Sisley all created beautiful paintings of places or subjects without insisting on fine details. Monet particularly in his later years painted in a style that alluded to his subjects being only temporary, and emphasized the solitude in landscapes. Auguste Renoir, also a great impressionist artist used more detail to create a very soft image but still with a dreamlike state. “Two Sisters” a painting done in 1881, fascinated viewers with two sisters in the foreground seeming like solids in the painting as opposed to the background which appears to be fantasy. The swap of these two items creates an intangible presence of the ladies on the terrace and allows the viewer to attach to the subjects and be drawn into the mystery of that day.[3]
Impressionism created challenges for the artists, capturing the light to generate the proper mood was a difficult task. Choosing which colors were appropriate to produce a suitable effect made painting scenery a struggle. Artists went through phases of using only a particular color shaded in a variety of ways to create emotion. Greens, yellows, blues, blacks and shades of grey could give rise a season or ambience the artist wanted to portray. Using shades of green and slight bluish hues would allow a painting to appear to have a chilled effect, while yellows show warmth. [4]
Effect:
Changing from a structured art form to one that leaves more to the imagination led the path to expressionism. The options for artist to create their own style of work allowed for new styles to develop, the acceptance of these works proved that society would tolerate a new genre of art. Impressionist artist ideally intended to leave their mark on the world, through bright colorful art that let the recipient form their own ideas about what the art is trying to portray. Curiosity is highly involved in the impressionist era, creating something that allows another individual to wonder evokes emotional responses that other art forms lack.
[1] Pease, Donald. Romanticism. 2007.
[2] Impressionism. Phillips Encyclopedia. 2007.
[3] Brettell, Richard. French Impressionists. New York. 54,71.
[4] Blunden,Maria. Impressionists and Impressionism. New York. 27-30.
Bibliography
Brettell, Richard. French Impressionists The Art Institute of Chicago. New York. 1987. 54.71
Blunden, Maria . Impressionists and Impressionism. New York. Skira Incorporated. 1980. Pg. 27-30.
Impressionism. Phillips Encyclopedia 2008. Phillips. 2007.
Pease, Donald. Romanticism. The Encyclopedia of the United States In the Nineteenth Century. The Gale Group. Farmington Hills. 2007.