Impressionist More Art
Emerging in 19th-century France, Impressionist art embraced loose brushwork and plein-air painting to respond to the movement of daily life. Although the pioneers of the Impressionist movement — Claude Monet, Edgar Degas, Paul Cézanne, Berthe Morisot, Camille Pissarro, and Pierre-Auguste Renoir — are now household names, their work was a radical break with an art scene led and shaped by academic traditions for around two centuries. These academies had oversight of a curriculum that emphasized formal drawing, painting and sculpting techniques and historical themes.
The French Impressionists were influenced by a group of artists known as the Barbizon School, who painted what they witnessed in nature. The rejection of pieces by these artists and the later Impressionists from the salons culminated in a watershed 1874 exhibition in Paris that was staged outside of the juried systems. After a work of Monet’s was derided by a critic as an unfinished “impression,” the term was taken as a celebration of their shared interest in capturing fleeting moments as subject matter, whether the shifting weather on rural landscapes or the frenzy of an urban crowd. Rather than the exacting realism of the academic tradition, Impressionist paintings, sculptures, prints and drawings represented how an artist saw a world in motion.
Many Impressionist painters were inspired by the perspectives in imported Japanese prints alongside these shifts in European painting — Édouard Manet drew on ukiyo-e woodblock prints and depicted Japanese design in his Portrait of Émile Zola, for example. American artists such as Mary Cassatt and William Merritt Chase, who studied abroad, were impacted by the work of the French artists, and by the late 19th century American Impressionism had its own distinct aesthetics with painters responding to the rapid modernization of cities through quickly created works that were vivid with color and light.
Find a collection of authentic Impressionist art on 1stDibs.
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Bright poppies and daisies bloom across the California coast. Waves crash against the rugged coastline, capturing the raw energy of the ocean. Using bold palett...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
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A woman peruses a store in search of antiques while brilliant sunlight rakes the window and objects on display. The contrasts of light and shadows match the coo...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
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One of the artist Onelio Marrero's favorite haunts is a bookstore. He based this painting on an antique store in Lambertville, New Jersey, where two teenagers...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
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Artist Onelio Marrero often takes trips into Manhattan to visit museums, sketch, photograph, and observe the rhythm of the streets. Based on these observations,...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
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Rich reds, golds, and oranges create a minimalist yet dramatic seascape. The panoramic format evokes a sense of vastness and tranquility. Slightly darker edges ...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
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The sky and clouds can be unpredictable, offering no certain forecast for the weather ahead. A gathering of dark clouds may hint at rain or a refreshing cooln...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Acrylic
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Capturing the vast beauty of nature, this painting showcases endless fields gently rising and falling beneath an expansive sky. Lush, undulating meadows, golden...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
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A woman sits outside a Philadelphia bistro, reading her book. The bright morning light shines through the establishment's windows, revealing a glimpse of its i...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
Refined elegance exudes from a bottle of Macallan Terra, a rich amber whisky poured into a tasting glass, and a finely rolled cigar. Warm tones and soft textu...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Acrylic
Early 2000s Impressionist More Art
Tapestry
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Artist Onelio Marrero shares a tender moment of children swimming by the sea. Part of a series of summer paintings that explo...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
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A fountain flows in the center of an elegant garden in artist Sherri Aldawood's impressionist piece. "My dream came true when I visited the home and garden of one of my favorite artists of the past, Joaquin Sorolla, in Madrid," shares Sherri. Channeling her knowledge from studying Sorolla's masterful paintings, Sherri portrays the morning light and colors with soft illumination. The sunlit foliage gleams majestically in the background, sharpening the dimension and bringing the viewer's eye toward the rear of the scene.
About the Artist
Sherri Aldawood didn't intend to always paint flowers, but over time her love of gardens started to permeate her art. She focuses on the light and color of the flowers on the canvas. Sherri prefers alla prima, working with wet layers of paint instead of letting them dry. She keeps the paint as wet as possible by using walnut and clove oil...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
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Painted on location along Maui’s windward side, the piece captures a painting spot in the shade of permanently wind-bent trees. Their arching branches create ...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
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Cedar trees, bluebonnets, and cacti grace a hilltop near Willow City, Texas. A body of water peeks through the edge of the grass-covered ground. The painterly...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Acrylic
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A red fox curls up on the snow, its fiery coat glowing against the icy background. Bold strokes capture the texture of its thick fur. The painting radiates both...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
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A peaceful rural scene unfolds in Pennsylvania Amish country. Artist Judy Mudd captures the calm and tradition of the Amish lifestyle, evident from the clothe...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Watercolor
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A man stands in front of a Picasso painting exhibited at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. The considerable time he spends in front of the artw...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
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Artist Onelio Marrero captures a sense of serenity, referencing a gentle river near his home. "Almost indistinguishable is the lone patient heron poised on a ...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
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Artist Onelio Marrero captures a winter night in Manhattan, blending views of 5th and 7th Avenues looking south. The soft, glowing lights and bustling traffic...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
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Three children show quiet determination as they dig for sand dollars during low tide. Their curiosity and focus bring wonder to the coastal scene. Energetic str...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
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Artist Onelio Marrero depicts two carefree children playing in the surf. Part of a series of summer paintings that explores the joyful spirit of youth. His ex...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
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This painting combines two of artist Onelio Marrero's interests: his love for the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City and his fascination with observi...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
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Artist Benjamin Thomas depicts a luminous sky with tonal hues of grey with soft purple accents. Finally, he paints his favorite color in a sky painting. "My d...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Acrylic
Early 20th Century Impressionist More Art
Oil
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The rolling Cotswold hills in England blend with the misty sky. Painted with a brush and palette knife, the rich strokes capture the depth and lushness of the f...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Acrylic
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Artist Maurice Dionne illustrates crowds of people walking along the street in an impressionistic representation. "Nimbus describes the luminous cloud or atmo...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Watercolor
Mid-20th Century Impressionist More Art
Canvas, Oil
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Wood, Wood Panel
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León, Spain, buzzes with energy, especially as a key stop along the Camino de Santiago. By night, the city truly comes alive, with locals, pilgrims, and touris...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
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Three young dancers style their hair, racing against time before a show. The vibrant brushwork and colors portray the lively and intense energy of dance prepa...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
1920s Impressionist More Art
Canvas, Oil
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The first morning light stretches across the lake at Wind River, Wyoming. As the sky brightens, the woods remain shadowed, and the world slowly wakes. A crisp c...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Watercolor
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This painting portrays one of the paths at the Glendalough Monastery in Ireland. The concealed monastery hosts numerous ruins of chapels and burial sites, wit...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
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Artist Janet Dyer illustrates a lovely spring day in Provence with flourishing pear, cherry, and almond trees. She captures the essence of the season with a v...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Acrylic
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A cluster of cacti bask in the warm afternoon light near Del Rio, Texas. The radiant sun highlights their prickly exteriors and vibrant colors. Contrasting wi...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Acrylic
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A sweeping mountain range stretches across the horizon, depicting the rugged beauty of Wyoming and the American West. In the foreground, a high desert field p...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
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A narrow trail cuts through a wide, sunlit plain. Trees and bushes cast long shadows on the ground, enhancing the sense of space and warmth. Painted in plein ai...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
Artist Jeff Fleming captures a cat in its playful nature. Bathed in a soft morning light, this furry tabby frolics in a field of sweet peas, possibly chasing ...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
Bare trees stand proudly under a bright autumn sun, their branches reaching skyward. The mountains in the background, retaining a scattering of greens, provide ...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
This painting captures the tranquility of a Los Angeles neighborhood on a cold, quiet evening. Locals retreat to their homes as the sun sets, happily savoring...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
Artist Onelio Marrero depicts the bustling energy of Midtown Manhattan traffic, looking south on a rainy afternoon. Dashing yet precise brushstrokes convey move...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
Large pink peonies bloom, their bright yellow stamens adding a vibrant contrast. Deep green leaves curl around each blossom, enhancing their lush beauty. Painte...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Acrylic
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This painting portrays a nature preserve and a bird sanctuary nestled amidst subdivisions. The composition features a tranquil pond surrounded by autumn trees...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Acrylic
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Artist Lisa Elley shows her signature palette knife trees textured with deep impasto strokes. The foliage exhibits subtle movement and richness in colors. Lis...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Mid-20th Century Impressionist More Art
Oil, Panel
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Artist Onelio Marrero lives just minutes from the New Jersey shore, where he and his wife enjoy long walks along the beach. In the quieter winter months, the ...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
Remnants of a plantation rest deep in the historic Iao Valley, where a cottage, a banana tree, and a garden grow as native Hawaiians once planted them. Mist flo...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
2010s Impressionist More Art
Canvas, Oil
1970s Impressionist More Art
Oil, Cardboard
1970s Impressionist More Art
Oil, Cardboard
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A serene landscape at dusk captures a tranquil river winding through a lush environment. The vast sky, filled with soft, stormy clouds, enhances the atmosphere....
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Early 20th Century Impressionist More Art
Oil, Panel
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Sunlight illuminates the garden while weathered interior walls bask over the passage of time. It tells the story of a home once alive with the sound of children...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Acrylic
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Three sisters sit closely together on a couch, their fashion evoking the feeling of vintage Hollywood style. A black furry dog sits on the floor and enjoys th...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Acrylic
Artist Comments
Artist Mary Pratt described the low country marsh as her favorite place to paint. In this piece, she simplified the greens of the landscape by capturing the s...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
As night approaches, the colors of the sky reflect on the pond, with the silhouette of trees filtering the fiery sunset. Water lilies pick up different hues a...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
