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.
Artist Comments
A mother and her child strike their camp for higher ground as the tide comes in with the occasional rogue wave. Artist Onelio Marrero and his wife live near the...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
This scene reflects Onelio Marrero’s love of antiques and collectibles. At its center, a man carefully examines a vintage painting, perhaps in search of a hid...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
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
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
Artist Comments
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
Artist Comments
Sunlight bathes a charming village, casting warm tones on stone walls and terracotta rooftops. The painting depicts the beautiful facades of Saint Paul de Ven...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
Three children are fully immersed in building their temporary structures and monuments from sand. This painting is part of artist Onelio Marrero’s series capt...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
Artist Karen d'Angeac Mihm captures a quiet moment on her family's property in upstate New York. Sunlight illuminates a red barn, revealing weathered wood wit...
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
A sweeping lake view shimmers beneath a bright blue sky, where radiant orange clouds glow in the early morning sun. Artist Drew Noel Marin, a native of Michigan...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Acrylic
Artist Comments
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
Artist Comments
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
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
2010s Impressionist More Art
Canvas, Oil
Artist Comments
When artist Onelio Marrero's grandchildren visit, they love spending time in his spare bedroom, playing games, dressing up, and pretending. One of their favor...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
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
Late 20th Century Impressionist More Art
Canvas, Oil, Wood Panel
Artist Comments
"Every fall season, I embark on a sojourn to the Eastern Sierra Nevada mountains to soak in the changing fall colors of the birch and quaking aspens," says ar...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
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
Artist Comments
Floral arrangements, porcelain jars, and a lamp create a timeless and elegant still life. Delicate roses and lavender contrast with the sturdy table, while a ...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
The Lynde Point Lighthouse, also known as Saybrook Inner, in Connecticut, overlooks the peaceful Island Sound. The patterns of receding tidal puddles captivated...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
Based on artist Onelio Marrero's sketches, the scene depicts a Manhattan avenue looking south on a winter night. The brushwork captures the bustling energy of...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
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
Artist Comments
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
Artist Comments
A brilliant morning unfolds along the edge of a quiet lake in the Pinelands of New Jersey. Vigorous strokes suggest hanging willows and scattered water lilies. ...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
Inspired by the vibrant wildflowers of spring, artist Lisa Elley captures the dramatic beauty of poppies in full bloom. Painted entirely with a palette knife, t...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
Tangerines rest on a cobalt blue table, their warm, vibrant tones contrasting against the cool background. Bold brushstrokes add energy, making the fruit appear...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
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
Artist Comments
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
Artist Comments
The Pavillon de Flore at the Louvre glows in the setting sun, its large windows catching the warm light. Ornate statues add to the building's timeless charm. ...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
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
Artist Comments
Ibis birds wander and forage under palm fronds. Their white feathers catch the dappled sunlight, while their red beaks and legs contrast with the lush greens. I...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
Artist Lisa Elley draws inspiration from the vibrant blooms and wildflowers that come to life in the spring. The light enhances the bouquet of white poppies, cr...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
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
Artist Comments
Bathed in the hush of twilight, rows of blooming lavender stretch endlessly beneath a sky brushed with fading light. Each bold, textured stroke captures the fle...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
Artist Onelio Marrero often spends time with his family at the New Jersey shore. In this painting, groups of children strategize and work diligently digging f...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
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
Artist Comments
Artist Onelio Marrero paints a group of children blissfully swimming along the beach. He often visits the seashore during the summer months, and this painting...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
On a recent painting trip to Europe, artist Faye Vander Veer visited the Rodin Museum in Paris, where a sense of calm contrasted with the city's bustling ener...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
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
Artist Comments
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
Artist Comments
A barn quietly sits in the picturesque Pennsylvania countryside. The muted color palette evokes the serene tranquility inherent in the Amish homesteads of the...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Watercolor
Artist Comments
While walking through the gardens of the Royal Alcázar in Seville, Spain, artist Sherri Aldawood encountered a woman sitting on the edge of a fountain. She cap...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
Bright wildflowers bloom in the foreground while the waves crash against the cliffs in the distance. The sky, painted in soft blues and whites, merges seamles...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
A grizzly bear exudes a quiet strength against a soft blue background. Artist Karen Barton used both palette knife and brush to build texture and depth. The res...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
Artist Karen d'Angeac Mihm traveled to Corfu with her family and fell in love with the landscape and the island's beautiful blue water. This particular painti...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Late 20th Century Impressionist More Art
Tapestry
Artist Comments
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
Artist Comments
Morning sunlight covers the dining room table with a warm, amber glow. The flower arrangement of orchids and willow rests prominently on the table, with a bra...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Early 20th Century Impressionist More Art
Oil, Panel
Artist Comments
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
Artist Comments
Wildflowers bloom along a cliffside as clouds reflect the energy of crashing waves. Vibrant colors and thick textures bring the coastal landscape to life. Artis...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
1930s Impressionist More Art
Paper, Etching
Mid-20th Century Impressionist More Art
Canvas, Oil
Artist Comments
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
Artist Comments
A woman in a flowing white gown stands confidently against a background that blends almost seamlessly with her attire. She symbolizes purity and strength. The...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Acrylic
Artist Comments
Artist Joanie Ford captures a cloudy day with sailboats docked in a quiet port. The overcast sky sets a moody tone, with its muted colors mirrored in the stil...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
Friends catch up on current events in the lively atmosphere of a tapas night in Seville, Spain. The warm tones capture the coziness of the scene. Loose, impre...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
