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.
Receding Tide, Oil Painting
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
Decisive brushwork and subtle color shifts bring magic to this winter New Jersey beach scene. Artist Onelio Marrero contrasts the expanse of climbing clouds wit...
Oil
$499
Monet's Garden I
Located in Atlanta, GA
Only 1 Available in this size. Claude Monet's painting of his lily pond at Giverny is transformed into this beautiful dramatic jacquard tapestry woven in Belgium. Monet painted many ...
Tapestry
Learning from Rembrandt, Oil Painting
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
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...
Oil
Finds and Replicas, Oil Painting
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
Artist Onelio Marrero captures a moment inside an antiques shop, where a man browses lamps, pictures, and replicas of Frederic Remington bronzes. The interior i...
Oil
A Window to Italy, Oil Painting
By Lisa Elley
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
Flowers bloom vibrantly beneath the windows as the Mediterranean sun highlights the character of the quaint stone walls and shutters. The composition captures...
Oil
In Chemistry Lab
Located in Zofingen, AG
Painted from life, In Chemistry Lab is a still life that explores the quiet poetry of scientific objects. Glass bottles, ceramic vessels, and laboratory containers are arranged with...
Canvas, Oil
$480Sale Price|20% Off
'European Street Scene', by an Unknown Artist, Oil on Canvas Painting
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
This 25.5" x 29.5" oil on canvas painting is by an unknown artist; the signature in the bottom right corner reads as 'Pilou' which is a common European surname. The painting depicts ...
Canvas, Oil
Grappling, Oil Painting
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
In 2023, artist Onelio Marrero began a series of oil sketches featuring men painting buildings high above city sidewalks. Inspired by one, this piece captures...
Oil
Louis Emiel Chappel (1888-1963) "Floral Still Life II" Original Painting c.1950
By Louis Emiel Chappel
Located in San Francisco, CA
Louis Emiel Chappel (1888-1963) floral still life II oil painting, circa 1950s Beautiful full basket bouquet of flowers on a pedestal by listed artist Louis Chappel. Original oil o...
Canvas, Oil
Once Upon a Time, Original Painting
By Nava Lundy
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
This painting captures one of those fleeting moments that somehow stay with us long after it has passed. A child is fully absorbed in imagination, creating an e...
Acrylic
Olympic Jumper, American Impressionist Tapestry by LeRoy Neiman
By LeRoy Neiman
Located in Long Island City, NY
LeRoy Neiman, American (1921 - 2012) - Olympic Jumper, Year: 1989, Medium: Tapestry, signed and dated, Size: 84 x 60 in. (213.36 x 152.4 cm)
Tapestry
The Devil, Oil Painting
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
A laptop displays a scene from Bram Stoker's Dracula, the 1993 vampire film starring Gary Oldman. The screen shows a close-up of a figure in a wicked laugh, exp...
Oil
Victorian Landscape Watercolour of a Venice Street Market scene style of Turner
Located in ludlow, GB
Victorian Landscape Watercolour of a Venice Street Market scene very much in the style of Turner Anyone who is a fan of Hercules Brabazon Brabazon will love this painting! Venice ...
Watercolor
Beachcombers, Oil Painting
By Aruna Rao
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
A mother watches as her child searches for small treasures in the sand as the golden afternoon light shines across the shore. She savors this timeless scene of ...
Oil
Roadside, Les Baux, Original Painting
By Janet Dyer
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
A road passes by Les Baux-de-Provence, in the foothills of the Alpilles. Bright green fields and clusters of trees fill the landscape. Painted with a brush and ...
Acrylic
Early Morning at the Irish National Stud Farm, Oil Painting
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
While visiting the United Kingdom, artist Onelio Marrero explored the Irish National Stud Farm, known for breeding thoroughbred horses. The farm boasts breath...
Oil
Saint-Paul-de-Vence Village, Oil Painting
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
Warm stone buildings and terracotta rooftops rise within the village walls. The scene depicts Saint-Paul-de-Vence in the south of France, where artist Karen d'A...
Oil
$2,000
'Jossing Fjord' by Norman Harper, Framed Oil on Canvas, c. 20th Century
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
This 32" x 32.75" x 3" oil painting on canvas by Scottish artist Norman Harper depicts a serene mountain valley with a body of water at its center. Towering mountains frame a dramati...
Canvas, Oil
Sister Earth, Oil Painting
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
The smooth bark of a madrone tree in warm tones of orange, copper, and a hint of red stands out against the leafy green foliage. A broad stretch of shore reveal...
Oil
Collectibles, Oil Painting
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
In this warm impressionist painting, artist Onelio Marrero captures his love of antiques and collectibles. He depicts the eclectic clutter of an antiques store ...
Oil
Poppies Aflutter, Original Painting
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
Artist Catherine McCargar illustrates alluring red flowers in a background of white. She captures the delicacy and transparency of gorgeous poppies she noticed in a local public garden. She creates a somewhat stylized arrangement of blooming stems. "It is punctuated by the addition of the buds as they dangle before bursting forth the seed capsules that remain after the petals drop," says Catherine.
About the Artist
Impressionist Catherine McCargar expresses her deep admiration of nature through landscape paintings of Northern California...
Watercolor
Orchard in Bloom, Original Painting
By Janet Dyer
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
Flowering white trees spread through an orchard in Provence, France, in springtime. A dirt road cuts through the landscape, leading through a field, rolling hil...
Acrylic
Spirit Herbal Fairies. Original oil painting on canvas 70 x 90 cm
Located in Zofingen, AG
Description about painting “Spirit Herbal Fairies” . Collection "Spirit Herbals" In this painting I focus on what gives us resource and taste for life. I invite the viewer to get to ...
Canvas, Oil
Aperture, Oil Painting
By David Thelen
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
"This artwork is inspired by a vista I saw while on a camping trip to the Allegany Mountains," says artist David Thelen. The verdant trees bask in the sun's w...
Oil
Golden Sky, Oil Painting
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
Golden light bathes a serene woodland scene. Soft, muted hues blend seamlessly, while subtle textures hint at the depth within the trees. The tonal palette and ...
Oil
Garden Glow, Oil Painting
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
The impressionist still life painting depicts a turquoise chair holding a terracotta pot with orange nasturtiums and pansies. Dappled sunlight falls across the ...
Oil
Modern Impressionist Oil Painting - Beach Scene with Children playing at the Sea
Located in ludlow, GB
Modern Impressionist Oil Painting of a beach scene with Children playing in a Rocky Cove. Signed Oil on Canvas on Stretchers and Framed in a bronzed silver modern bespoke frame. Str...
Oil
Hilltop Blues, Original Painting
By David Forks
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
Bluebonnet flowers grow on the side of the road on a hilltop plateau near Carta Valley, Texas. Their petals show a vibrant contrast to the lush greens of the ...
Acrylic
Plein Air Forest-Side, Oil Painting
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
A lush woodland scene embodies the tranquil beauty of nature. Towering trees with dappled sunlight filtering through their leafy canopies cast soft shadows on t...
Oil
Old House, Oil Painting
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
A country house stands solitary in an overgrown field, with traces of time passing evident in its exterior. The grass dances with the wind as the summer sky g...
Oil
Sunny Blues, Original Painting
By David Forks
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
Bluebonnets bloom in a tranquil Texan meadow beneath a soft, sunny sky. Vibrant shades of green and blue fill the foreground, bringing the wildflowers to life. ...
Acrylic
Soft Evening of the Desert, Oil Painting
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
Soft evening colors highlight the beauty of the American desert. A gentle and warm palette creates an airy feeling that suggests an open space. The quiet energy...
Oil
Pink Roof White Birch, Original Painting
By Ruth LaGue
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
Artist Ruth LaGue presents an impressionist black barn with a prominent pink roof. Inspired by the shapes and patterns of the landscape, she draws the viewer'...
Acrylic
Cloudy Sky, Cotswolds, Original Painting
By Janet Dyer
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
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...
Acrylic
The bay's radiance, Painting, Oil on Canvas
Located in Yardley, PA
"The bay's radiance" captures the timeless charm of Perast, a picturesque old town nestled in the Bay of Kotor, Montenegro. Painted in the vibrant pointillist style, this artwork exu...
Oil
Emile Albert Gruppe Cape Ann Marine Oil Painting, Boats at Dock
Located in Milford, NH
A fine impressionist marine painting of boats at dock on Cape Ann by American artist Emile Albert Gruppé (1896-1978). Gruppé was born in Rochester, NY, and is renowned for his New En...
Canvas, Oil
Charles Adams Platt Landscape Oil Painting, Hook Windmill, Easthampton, NY 1885
Located in Milford, NH
A fine impressionist Easthampton, New York landscape with a windmill by American artist Charles Adams Platt (1861-1933). Platt was born in New York City, and his training was as an a...
Canvas, Oil
Field of Sunflowers, Oil Painting
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
Artist Karen d'Angeac Mihm paints vibrant sunflower fields, often inspired by Provence, but this time, she found inspiration close to home in Wisconsin. A stu...
Oil
The Artist's Wife, Oil Painting
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
Inspired by his travels with his wife, artist Onelio Marrero paints her enjoying a book. They toured the neighboring towns to visit shops and historic sites d...
Oil
Memories of Tuscany, Oil Painting
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
This impressionist painting depicts a scenic view of a Tuscan villa, framed by a small vineyard and tall Italian cypress trees. Artist Faye Vander Veer works wi...
Oil
Favorite place, Painting, Oil on Canvas
Located in Yardley, PA
The painting "Favorite place" captures the serene beauty of a small village called Rožat near Dubrovnik, Croatia. Painted en plein air, this piece reflects the charm of the Adriatic...
Oil
Midwestern Lake, Original Painting
By Janet Dyer
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
An aerial view reveals a patchwork of farmland in the Midwest. A blue lake nestles among the green fields, mirroring the soft hues of the horizon. The compositi...
Acrylic
$14,800
Van Dearing Perrine Impressionist Oil Painting, Dappled Light on the Ocean
Located in Milford, NH
A fine impressionist oil painting of dappled light on the ocean by American artist Van Dearing Perrine (1869–1955). Perrine was born in Kansas and moved to New York in the early 1890...
Canvas, Oil
Field and Trees, France, Original Painting
By Janet Dyer
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
The impressionist landscape painting depicts a sunlit field flanked by birch trees near Bedouin, Provence, France. White trunks tower in the foreground, while a...
Acrylic
Roofs of the City, Paris, Oil Painting
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
Parisian rooftops stand out with their distinctive charm, making the city's skyline instantly recognizable. The architecture, rich with patina, blends turquoise...
Oil
Sunset, Rockport Harbor
Located in Milford, NH
A colorful Cape Ann, Massachusetts marine harbor scene with boats docked by American artist Emile Albert Gruppé (1896-1978). Gruppé was born in Rochester, NY, and is renowned for his New England landscapes and vigorous portrayals of the harbors and houses of Gloucester, Massachusetts. The son of landscape artist Charles P. Gruppé (1860-1940), Emile enjoyed a long and successful career that spanned over six decades.In 1925, Gruppé began spending summers in Gloucester. He established a studio on Rocky Neck in East Gloucester where he taught plein-air classes. In 1942 —along with Bridgman, Carlson, Miller and Chapman—he established the Gruppé Summer School, which he continued to operate until 1970.Gruppé’s works hang in many colleges and museums: Smith College, Silberman College in Montreal, the University of Idaho, the Los Angeles Museum, the San Antonio Museum and the de Cordova Museum. His paintings are also at the White House in Washington, D.C. and the Gruppe Summer School in Gloucester. Oil on canvas, signed lower right, title inscribed on verso stretcher “Sunset, Rockport Harbor...
Canvas, Oil
Home and Sunshine
Located in Milford, NH
A pleasant New England townscape scene by Dutch American artist Anthony Thieme (1888-1954). Thieme was born in Rotterdam, Holland and, after traveling in Europe, England, & South Ame...
Oil, Panel
Beckoning Sea, Oil Painting
By Aruna Rao
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
Artist Aruna Rao captures the endless rhythm of waves rolling toward the shore, reflecting the hypnotic pull of the ocean. The path through the dunes, the winds...
Oil
Seeking Flora, Oil Painting
By Mary Pratt
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
A small feminine figure emerges from the flowers slightly left of the bouquet. Surrounding stems and blossoms partially hide her from view. Loose strokes and ov...
Oil
Skull Study, Oil Painting
By Sara Sisun
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
A skull rests on a clear case. Muted gray and white background enhances the focus on the subject. Artist Sara Sisun drew inspiration from Dutch painter Vilhelm ...
Oil
Field with Dappled Sunlight, Giverny
By John Leslie Breck
Located in Milford, NH
A fine impressionist painting of a French pastoral landscape with trees and cows in the distance by American artist John Leslie Breck (1860-1899). Breck was born in the South Pacific...
Oil, Canvas
Snowy Banks of the River
Located in Milford, NH
A fine mountainous winter landscape by American artist Arthur Clifton Goodwin (1864-1929). Born in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, Goodwin lived and worked most of his life in Massachuset...
Canvas, Oil, Board
May My Heart Always Be Open to Little Birds, Original Painting
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
Artist Jennifer Ross presents a brown bird perched over its three eggs. "A bird's nest is the universal symbol of hope," says Jenni...
Acrylic
The River, by Edgars Vinters. 1963. Oil on cardboard. 45x61 cm. Signed
Located in Riga, LV
Edgars Vinters (1919-2014) Edgars Vinters is working in oil, watercolor and monotype techniques. He paints landscapes in different seasons and flowers. In 1970 the significant place...
Oil, Cardboard
Van Vleck Gardens Montclair, Painting, Watercolor on Paper
Located in Yardley, PA
This en plein air watercolor was painted at the beautiful Van Vleck Gardens in Montclair, NJ. Full of vibrant greens, light and shadow: this watercolor captures the atmosphere of th...
Watercolor
View of Water Lily Pads, Oil Painting
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
Inspired by a photograph taken by artist Jonelle Summerfield while kayaking, the painting captures the atmosphere of early summer. Warm evening light washes ove...
Oil
Houses in the Foothills, Original Painting
By Janet Dyer
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
A vineyard stretches across the foreground of this French countryside scene. Olive trees scatter across the landscape, while a few houses sit at the foothills. ...
Acrylic
New England Hillside
Located in Milford, NH
A fine landscape oil painting by American artist Harriet Randall Lumis (1870-1853). Lumis was born in Salem, CT, and ironically, her art background did not begin until after she marr...
Canvas, Oil
Candlelight amid the Falling Snow, Original Painting
By Judy Mudd
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
Artist Judy Mudd captures the hushed serenity of a winter scene in this watercolor. A small church stands quietly against a snowy backdrop, with candles glowing...
Watercolor
Conservatory Pond, Oil Painting
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
Artist Onelio Marrero painted this scene after visiting Manhattan's Central Park on a spring morning. The sunlight creates contrasts in the dappled shadows on t...
Oil