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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A cherub statue and a sliced pear rest among vibrant purple flowers and lush leaves. The warm, earthy soil complements the greenery. Artist Sherri Aldawood pa...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
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The lifeguard tower, palm trees, and beachgoers bask in the sun on a radiant summer day. The wind blows the clouds across the s...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Acrylic
2010s Impressionist More Art
Canvas, Oil
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A crescent moon casts a gentle glow over a group of small birds perched on two parallel wires. The gold leaf on their wings catches the light, twinkling when ...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Acrylic
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Soft pink, blue, and purple clouds drift across a tranquil sunset sky. The sun casts a warm, fiery glow over the landscape. Gentle light and delicate tones evok...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
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A vibrant hummingbird perches on a branch, its jewel-toned feathers catching the light. The soft, textured strokes create an energetic display of colors. The ...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
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Bright sunflowers with vibrant yellow petals and dark centers stand out against a muted background, creating a lively and colorful scene. Expressive brushstroke...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
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This painting combines palette knife and brush techniques, using heavy impasto to create a richly textured surface. Vibrant pink, magenta, and green hues are ...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Acrylic
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A solitary horse strolls through a sunlit field, its mane and tail glowing in the warm morning light. Ethereal, golden tones ripple across its form, capturing a...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
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An array of colors presents itself before the sun dips behind the mountains. Shadows drape the landscape in cold blues and violets while the water reflects th...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Acrylic
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Tall pine trees stand tall in the foreground, while the ocean waves of Monterey Bay blend into the cloudy sky in the background. Red, yellow, and white flower...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Acrylic
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Artist Faye Vander Veer captures the majesty of Notre Dame Cathedral at dusk in this evocative painting. She took the reference photograph long before the devas...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
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A playful interaction between shapes and colors in nature unfolds in this fantastical landscape. Two predominant areas of light create a silhouette, casting o...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
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A macaw captivates with its piercing eyes and vibrant feathers. Inspired by her travel to Belize, artist Joanie Ford captures the vibrant essence of wildlife th...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Pastel
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Rows of vibrant lavender stretch toward the horizon, their rich purple hues contrasting with golden pathways. Warm sunlight bathes the landscape, casting a gl...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
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Afternoon sunlight filters through the branches of a sturdy tree, casting dappled shadows on its trunk. A porch and hedge sit quietly in the background, enhan...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
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A single-car garage in a charming neighborhood stands untouched, its doors unopened for years. Once home to a shiny '32 Oldsmobile, it now hides unknown treas...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
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A winding path leads through a vibrant green meadow, with rugged mountains rising beneath a dramatic sky. Inspired by a summer trip to Ashcroft for plein air ...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
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Artist Joanie Ford channels her love for sunrises and sunsets into this piece. Observing the shifting colors reflected on clouds and in the atmosphere, she docu...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Pastel
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Artist George Peebles presents a glorious coastal line in the style of impressionism. "Personal space at the beach," says George. The cool blue and purple hue...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
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After seeing photographs and numerous depictions of the famous Motif No. 1, artist Faye Vander Veer went to Rockport, Massachusetts to experience its vibrant ...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
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Subtle blue and green striations depict swaying reeds in a tranquil refuge pond. The brushstrokes create a mosaic-like image and a sense of gentle movement. Lay...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Acrylic
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Artist Fernando Garcia paints a farm and a silo on a vast midwestern landscape. He offers the viewer a serene environment ...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Acrylic
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Artist Fernando Garcia presents a sweeping landscape of vibrant yellow fields with farmhouses dotting the distance. He uses the rain on the plains as the main...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Acrylic
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This evocative impressionist painting captures the essence of a garden by the pond. With loose brushwork and bold palette knife techniques, this piece exudes ...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
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I was on a rooftop parking garage looking for the last space to park, in a hurry for a meeting with friends, when I saw this sky. Yes, I was late getting together with my friends, and my wife was patient while I recorded all the colors and shapes. After I painted this she was happy with the painting, and so was I, for it worked out as a balanced canvas of real and abstract. My friends were ok too after I bought a round. Enjoy!
About the Artist
Benjamin Thomas has been painting since the late seventies, however for most of this time he was not exhibiting his work. About twelve years ago, Benjamin and his wife were at a gallery show for a friend and as they were leaving Ben’s wife, aka “The Muse,” told him to go back in. “Your work is as good as that--maybe even better,” she said. That night, Benjamin obeyed The Muse (lucky for us!). The impressionistic sweeps of sky and cloud in Benjamin’s paintings capture more than just an atmospheric quality, but also a heavenly interpretation of the landscape. There is a classical, mature style to the paintings, reminiscent of J.M.W. Turner. Benjamin is often inspired while bicycling, walking or motorcycling, taking in the scenery of Pittsburgh, PA. He takes photos of the scene and then works out the concept back in his studio. The large scale of the work matches the impression and mood that each scene conveys, and the light and shadow are carefully balanced to capture something mercurial and nostalgic. The work feels very measured and contemplated, but also full of passion, as if each piece is in pursuit of the joy of painting and the representation of natural beauty.
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Acrylic
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A path winds through a landscape bursting with autumn colors. Vibrant orange leaves create a fiery canopy overhead while dappled sunlight dances across the dirt...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Watercolor
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Cobblestone streets climb toward an old elementary school in historic Church Hill, Richmond, Virginia. The bright sky contrasts with the warm brick architecture...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Acrylic
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil, Board
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The winter sun begins to shine, casting a warm, gentle glow upon the treetops and the two houses, almost concealed by the foliage. As the snow gradually melts...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Acrylic
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Artist Shela Goodman paints an old country church on an quiet landscape. It sits alone surrounded by fields that seem to be dese...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
2010s Impressionist More Art
Encaustic
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A Maneki-Neko, the iconic Japanese welcoming cat, nestles among lush succulents, exuding whimsical charm. Artist Tara Zalewsky-Nease br...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
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A woman stands in the shallow water, sensing the expansive world around her. The pink and purple sky blends with the sea, creating an image of endless space. ...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Acrylic
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil, Panel, Wood Panel
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In the late afternoon light, long shadows stretch across an amusement park as a giant swing ride whirls riders through the air. In the distance, a towering drop...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Acrylic
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In this seascape, artist Elizabeth Garat paints crashing waves against rust-colored cliffs. The late afternoon sun creates a dynamic interplay of warm and cool light, illuminating the rocks and surf along California’s central coast. Distant hills and coastline offer a tranquil backdrop to the vivid contrasts in the foreground.
About the Artist
Artist Elizabeth Garat paints impressionist landscapes, seascapes, and scenes from her travels that reflect her deep connection to the natural world. “Exposure to nature early on planted the seed of landscape painting in me,†says Elizabeth. Raised between California and Colorado, she spent her formative years outdoors—exploring her grandfather’s sheep ranch, walking beaches with her grandmother, and discovering California Impressionism in the galleries of Laguna Beach. She later studied with noted photographer MacDuff Everton at UC Santa Barbara and trained in plein air painting with Maddine Insalaco and Joe Vinson in Italy. Elizabeth works from a bright studio converted from her home’s detached garage, complete with barn wood walls, a skylight, and a Dutch door...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
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The low winter sun shines through an aspen grove. Snow blankets the ground, turning the world into a quiet expanse of blue and white. Each step crunches beneath...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Watercolor
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A mature oak tree stands sentry along the walking path. Sunlight filters through the lush summer canopy, casting warm patterns on the trunk. Dappled light dance...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Watercolor
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A lone figure in a kimono crosses a picturesque bridge within the Daigoji Temple grounds in Kyoto, Japan. Autumn leaves float gently on the tranquil pond, sho...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
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Artist David Thelen presents a serene spot nestled in a mountain range. The water's edge glimmers at the foot of towering trees, while lush foliage adorns the...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
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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...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Canvas, Acrylic
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Vibrant pansies bloom in a sunny yellow pot, their petals adorned with distinctive markings. Light and shadow add depth and movement to the piece. Artist Mary B...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Acrylic
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A cardinal perches on a thin wire, its bright red plumage standing out against the gray sky. The bird seems like a visitor from another realm, briefly passing...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Acrylic
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One of artist Tara Zalewsky-Nease's favorite genres is the kitchen still life. A prolific cook and painter, she creates compositions of singular ingredients, ca...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
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This contemporary figurative painting captures the tranquil beauty of a gardener strolling down a garden path, viewed from above. The focal point is the garde...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
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Vibrant activity fills the scene as people enjoy a sunny day at an outdoor café on Pearl Street. On the left, a couple is engrossed in conversation and savor...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
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White and umber define a sitted nude female figure. Simplified contours enhance her shape, while gentle brushwork gives softness to her form. The backgroundâ€...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
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Artist Jonelle Summerfield beautifully captures a quintessential view of Sedona's red rocks. The contrasting lush greenery enhances the warm landscape. The ru...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
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A gentleman carefully searches for the correct change after enjoying a meal at a Greek restaurant in Pittsburgh, PA. Warm, earthy tones and expressive brushst...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
1930s Impressionist More Art
Paper, Etching
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With a contrasting cool-hued trunk and sun-kissed branches and leaves, an oak tree boasts a stylized image. Under the brilliant sky, the surrounding woodland ...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Acrylic
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Much of artist Benjamin Thomas's work is rooted in memory and mistakes rather than direct observation of life. After learning from his painting mishaps, he no...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Acrylic
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A dirt path winds through the woods, sheltered from the sun by towering trees. The artwork, painted with a brush and palette knife, features bold strokes and ...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Acrylic
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A windswept pine leans over a shimmering inlet, its roots gripping rocky terrain streaked with moss. Swirling clouds dance across the spring sky, echoing the mo...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
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The impressionist painting captures the serene beauty of Venice at dusk. A tranquil canal reflects the soft glow of twilight, while flower-filled balconies an...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
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Rugged cliffs meet the gentle Pacific waves. Vibrant wildflowers add a touch of whimsy to the scene, with their blue, yellow, and lavender petals complementin...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
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As part of his Cityscape Series, artist Stanislav Sidorov captures Andreevsky Spusk Street with a vibrant palette. The cathedral oversees the city, its bells ...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
The winter lake effect on the lowlands of St. Lawrence County, near Watertown, New York, produces heavy snowfalls. A thick layer of snow blankets the field an...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
