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.
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
Potomac Highlands WV Barn in Autumn, Oil Painting
By Doug Cosbie
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
This artwork captures the hot, dry atmosphere of the Potomac Highlands in West Virginia. Rustic barns and copper-colored fields stand beneath a cloudless, viv...
Oil
Portrait of Princess Wilhelmina - 23-08-24, Drawing, Pastels on Paper
By Corne Akkers
Located in Yardley, PA
Portrait of Princess Wilhelmina (Tribute to Thérèse Schwartze) - 23-08-24 A Great Independant Female Artist This pastel drawing ‘Portrait of Princess Wilhelmina (Tribute to...
Pastel
Hidden Gems, Oil Painting
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
Artist Onelio Marrero presents an impressionist piece exploring ponds, koi, and goldfish—part of his ongoing series focusing on freshwater fauna. "Koi and Goldfish are considered lucky because, despite their bright colors attracting predators, they have useful survival instincts," shares Onelio. These fish take advantage of reflections of the sky and trees on the water's surface to hide from predators. Onelio capitalizes on the effects of the clear sky and silhouetted trees reflected on the pond to partially mask the exotic fish.
About the Artist
Artist Onelio Marrero paints impressionist city scenes of everyday life. He captures the romanticism of New York City, from the picturesque fountains in Central Park to a glistening city street on a rainy afternoon. He creates a sense of nostalgia and intimacy with his work, offering the feeling that you have visited this particular scene before. “Each play of light, each texture, and each movement of a figure can have a captivating effect on me,†says Onelio. He studied at The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art where he mastered discerning color and values, giving his work a more spontaneous appearance. Onelio’s work is an appreciation for beauty in all of its greatest forms; nature, art, and people.
Words that describe this painting: koi, goldfish, water, pond, lake, swim, reflection, liquid, rocks, pebbles, animal, oilpaint, impressionism, impressionism, animals, oil painting, green
Hidden Gems...
Oil
Fall Reflections, Oil Painting
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
An impressionist landscape captures a late fall sunset in Redstone, Colorado. Warm oranges and golds shimmer across the river’s surface, while the far reaches...
Oil
Second Cascade at Boonton, Oil Painting
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
Artist Onelio Marrero captures the river running through his hometown. The foaming cascade and gentle ripples in the pooled water beyond the boulders convey a s...
Oil
Night Glow, Oil Painting
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
A candle glows inside a red jar, its faint light revealing nearby flowers and fruit. In this still life, artist Hugh Masterson keeps the scene dark while mainta...
Oil
Frozen Weir on the Rockaway River, Oil Painting
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
Artist Onelio Marrero painted this scene in his hometown during an extended cold snap in the Northeast that froze nearly every waterway. He captured the atmosph...
Oil
$387Sale Price|20% Off
Mid Century French Picture Frame original Vintage Shabby Chic Grey Beige Color
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
French mid 20th century Wood and plaster frame Internal measurement (to house painting or mirror): 22 x 15 inches Overal outer measurements: 27 x 20 inches Provenance: from a collect...
Plaster, Wood
$3,002
Autumnal Light- Original Oil Landscape Painting - Contemporary Impressionist Art
Located in London, Chelsea
We offer complimentary worldwide shipping and cover all tariffs and import taxes for this artwork. This exceptional artwork is currently on display and available for sale at Signet ...
Canvas, Oil
$3,820
Spring Light - Original Landscape Painting - Contemporary Impressionist Art
Located in London, Chelsea
We offer complimentary worldwide shipping and cover all tariffs and import taxes for this artwork. This exceptional artwork is currently on display and available for sale at Signet ...
Canvas, Oil
Sailboat at sea, Painting, Oil on Canvas
Located in Yardley, PA
Original Oil painting by Ukrainian artist Evgeny Chernyakovsky "Sailboat at sea" 25.0 X 35.0 CM / 9.8 X 13.7 IN HIGH QUALITY oil on canvas Signed on the front and back Dated 2...
Oil
Late Arrival_Glenwood Springs, Oil Painting
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
This impressionist landscape painting captures the final stretch of the interstate before Glenwood Springs in the late evening. A car moves along the winding ro...
Oil
Pilgrims Conference, Oil Painting
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
In Medjugorje, Bosnia, pilgrims gather in the shade of a tree to rest and talk before ascending Apparition Hill. Sunlight filters through the landscape, highlig...
Oil
Floating Dock, Gloucester, Original Painting
By Judy Mudd
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
An impressionist watercolor captures a quiet moment along a calm waterway. A weathered dock with a tin roof anchors the scene, suggesting age and familiarity. I...
Watercolor
Market Day (Provence), Oil Painting
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
Artist Faye Vander Veer depicts a busy market day in Aix-en-Provence. Towering sycamore trees cast cool shadows, while warm, dappled light illuminates the scene...
Oil
Kingfisher, Painting, Oil on Canvas
By Gary Westall
Located in Yardley, PA
The kingfisher, a jewel of nature. It is a joy to be able to see this bird live. I was able to observe these beautiful birds at a stream in the Wiehen Hills. Oil on canvas - 30 × 6...
Oil
Morning Reflections, Original Painting
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
Warm sunlight rises over the river, gradually breaking through the cool dawn hues. The blue and lavender tones in the sky softly reflect on the water as the mor...
Acrylic
Mists of Spring, Oil Painting
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
Spring arrives with soft mists and passing rain showers as winter transitions to new growth. Brown grasses start turning green, while mist drifts over the mount...
Oil
1902, Oil Painting
By Mary Pratt
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
A woman in white pauses beside still water. She shelters beneath a delicate parasol as evening light dissolves into reflection and shadow. Rendered with express...
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
Serenity in Scarlet and Green, Oil Painting
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
A woman floats on her back in green waters, supported by a bright red inflatable ring. Her arms stretch wide, and her legs extend, centered in the composition. ...
Oil
Blue Coast, Painting, Oil on Canvas
By Lisa Elley
Located in Yardley, PA
Blue Coast is an original oil painting on gallery-wrapped, stretched canvas by Lisa Elley, capturing the timeless beauty of California's coastal bluffs and vibrant wildflowers. With ...
Oil
Twilight in the Loop, Oil Painting
By Yangzi Xu
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
Artist Yangzi captures Chicago’s Loop at the intersection of Randolph and State Streets as day transitions into night. Soft twilight blends with the vibrant...
Oil
Whitewashed Barn, Oil Painting
By Doug Cosbie
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
Whitewashed barns capture a timeless Americana charm. Rolling hills and a clear blue sky frame the structures, creating a serene, inviting atmosphere. Artist Do...
Oil
Mountain Sanctuary, Oil Painting
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
Mountains rise through the clouds, revealing the rugged beauty of a subalpine landscape. It captures a moment of quiet grandeur, where the earth and sky seem to...
Oil
A Warm Embrace, Painting, Acrylic on Canvas
By Bob Arrigo
Located in Yardley, PA
There must be a million moments in each day that are pure magic but so many of them are lost to us, and pass us by without notice. Moments when the natural world seems to be born aga...
Acrylic
Rio Grande Sunlight, Oil Painting
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
The artwork depicts a woman from a direct overhead view, moving through a sunlit landscape. She wears a light blue swim shirt and a broad-brimmed hat and drags ...
Oil
Seaside Solace, Painting, Oil on Canvas
By Lisa Elley
Located in Yardley, PA
'Seaside Solace' is an original oil painting on gallery wrap stretched canvas by Lisa Elley. Inspired by the iconic California coastal landscape, this piece features thick impasto te...
Oil
Anthony Thieme Coastal Seascape Oil Painting, The Surf
Located in Milford, NH
A powerful seascape oil painting by Dutch / American artist Anthony Thieme (1888-1954). Thieme was born in Rotterdam, Holland and, after traveling in Europe, England, & South Ame...
Canvas, Oil
Summer Day, Oil Painting
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
Artist Valerie Berkely presents a dreamy summer seascape. The warm color palette and gentle movements stir sun-soaked memories and carefree beach vacations. W...
Oil
water lilies, Painting, Oil on Glass
Located in Yardley, PA
Irina Alexandrina's painting is guided by her all-consuming passion to share with the viewer the beauty and perfection of the universe, which we sometimes pass by in a hurry. His wor...
Oil
Houses on the Hillside, Original Painting
By Janet Dyer
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
Artist Janet Dyer came across a group of stone houses nestled among the trees on a hill in Provence, France. She dreamed of owning them one day, but for now she...
Acrylic
"Evening City", Painting, Oil on Canvas
Located in Yardley, PA
Original Oil painting by Ukrainian artist Evgeny Chernyakovsky "Evening City" 55.0 X 65.0 CM / 21.6 X 25.5 IN HIGH QUALITY oil on canvas Signed on the front and back Dated 202...
Oil
Everything Else Can Wait, Original Painting
By Nava Lundy
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
Soft coastal colors and loose, expressive brushwork evoke the relaxed rhythm of a day at the beach. The scene suggests striped cabanas and umbrellas layered int...
Acrylic
Children on a Jetty, Oil Painting
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
Artist Onelio Marrero and his wife enjoy having a home near the New Jersey shore, where they can spend time with family on the beach. Onelio especially loves wa...
Oil
The Falling Leaves, Oil Painting
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
Golden aspen trees frame a quiet mountain lake as distant peaks rise into soft, radiant light. Featuring Bear Lake and the Rocky Mountains, this oil painting hi...
Oil
An Evening In Barcelona, Painting, Oil on Canvas
Located in Yardley, PA
An original 30" x 24" cityscape oil painting of Barcelona. This painting depicts people enjoying the warm summer evening in the El Born neig...
Oil
Where the Fire Is Safe, Oil Painting
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
Snowstorms in New Jersey inspired artist Onelio Marrero to paint this winter landscape and convey a scene of solitude. A man stands on a nearly frozen river as ...
Oil
Heart of autumn, Painting, Acrylic on Canvas
By LE ANH TUAN
Located in Yardley, PA
, morning in the lake, , , , Lake, Art, Inspiration, Living space, Engraved in the space with a soft autumnal rhythm, the painting expresses warmth and tenderness through each ...
Acrylic
My Favorite Room, Painting, Watercolor on Paper
Located in Yardley, PA
This is a joyful painting of a young giraffe casually lounging on a sofa in a garden sun room. The sofa is filled with a tropical themed blanket and pillows. This style of this paint...
Watercolor
Grape, Painting, Oil on Canvas
Located in Yardley, PA
Original Oil painting by Ukrainian artist Evgeny Chernyakovsky "Grape" 70.0 X 80.0 CM / 27.5 X 31.4 IN HIGH QUALITY oil on canvas Signed on the front and back Dated 2025 Goo...
Oil
Palette of Reflection, Original Painting
By Joanie Ford
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
Layers of rich, luminous color stretch across the sky, softly reflecting on the water below and evoking both movement and calm. Artist Joanie Ford’s love of s...
Pastel
Majestic Cascade, Oil Painting
By Mandy Main
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
Loose, lively brushwork depicts a cascading waterfall flowing over a rocky cliff. Water tumbles down into a pool below, its spray and movement creating a sense ...
Oil
Wisconsin Lake on a Fall Day, Oil Painting
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
Wisconsin's lakes transform with each season, offering endless inspiration. Each month brings unique light, colors, and textures, creating a constantly shifti...
Oil
Waiting for Rain, Original Painting
By Joanie Ford
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
Artist Joanie Ford paints a tranquil landscape where the vibrant colors of earth and sky intertwine. The winding path, bordered by delicate wildflowers, guides ...
Pastel
Ronda Afternoon, Oil Painting
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
This painting captures a hillside view of a castle and church in Ronda, Spain. The soft brushwork gives the scene a luminous glow, with shadows falling across t...
Oil
The Perfect Dress, Oil Painting
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
A young woman pauses before a Paris dress shop window, captivated by the display. Her posture mirrors the mannequin, suggesting a moment of discovery or connect...
Oil
Shopping in Cordoba, Oil Painting
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
Two young ladies shop in the narrow, sun-drenched streets of Cordoba, Spain. Hanging bags and garments add life and texture to the rustic building. Loose brushw...
Oil
When the Fog Slowly Goes Away, Beach in Malibu, Oil Painting
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
This seascape captures Malibu Beach, highlighting soft sandy colors, beautiful cliffs, and beach umbrellas that collectively evoke the distinct vibe of a Cali...
Oil
Tugboat, Oil Painting
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
A moored tugboat commands a harbor scene. Its green hull anchors it firmly against the hazy shoreline of Sturgeon Bay, while the red upper structure rises wit...
Oil
Hope's Song, Original Painting
By Nava Lundy
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
Bathed in the glow from the window and an inner light, a woman sits in front of a piano. As she gently hits the keys, she plays her hopeful tune. This impress...
Acrylic
Walking in Brooklyn, Original Painting
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
In her pared-down impressionist approach, artist Carey Parks illustrates three men walking on a sidewalk. Inspired by a photo refer...
Acrylic
Skating in the Moonlight, Oil Painting
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
An enchanting winter scene captures the nuances of ice skating on a frozen lake in New Jersey. The moon, partially obscured by shifting clouds, cast a shimmer t...
Oil
Breezy Blue, Original Painting
By Sally Adams
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
A blue and grey bird balances its tiny body on a branch. Loose brown and green brushstrokes suggest foliage. Sally Adams' paintings are inspired by photograph...
Watercolor
Evening on the Lake, Oil Painting
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
Living by a lake provides artist Karen d'Angeac Mihm with endless inspiration, as the landscape transforms with each season. Every day offers a new perspectiv...
Oil
A Good Trout, Oil Painting
By Karen Barton
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
A trout stretches across a pale blue background. Yellow spots and darker markings cover its body, while orange fins and tail add contrast. Painted using a palet...
Oil
Air Stream at the Beach, Oil Painting
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
A vintage Airstream parks at a beach. Its reflective exterior mirrors the sea, sunset, and the fire burning in front of it. Uns...
Oil
Come Away with Me, Original Painting
By Nava Lundy
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
A gate stands on a sand, opening onto the sea and an endless blue horizon. Painted in acrylic with expressive, textured brushwork, the composition balances moti...
Acrylic
Side Road, France, Original Painting
By Janet Dyer
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
A sunlit path cuts through dense green trees and shrubs beneath a pale blue sky. Broad strokes from a brush and a palette knife build the landscape with warm or...
Acrylic