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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Artist Siyuan Ma exhibits an abstract landscape of dark misty mountains. The imagery takes the viewer into a dreamlike world of meand...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Watercolor
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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...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Watercolor
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An old white shed stands by the roadside, upright and still in use after many years. Its weathered exterior tells a story of resilience, a familiar sight in t...
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Oil
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A thick carpet of lily pads and reeds covers a quiet pond, leaving only a patch of blue water to peek through. The lush greens across the scene create a calmi...
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Oil
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Yellow houses bask in the soft light of spring, their warm tones contrasting with the cool shades of trees and shadows on the ground. A lone figure walks alon...
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Watercolor
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Beech trees stand tall, their autumn leaves shifting to shades of yellow and rust. Below them, a wild rhododendron bush adds a splash of pink to the scene. Ex...
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Acrylic
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Bold strokes capture a partially nude woman against a deep, muted background. Artist Judy Mackey uses minimal detail, intentionally leaving the face blank to ...
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Oil
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In her impressionist rendition, artist Lisa Elley portrays Claude Monet's iconic residence in Giverny, France, using a palette kni...
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Oil
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Three birds dip their feet in a stream, with the larger two closely watching the smallest one. Leaves on slender stems surround the small flock, adding a touc...
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Acrylic
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This summer scene, captured along a hiking trail in Venice, Florida, embodies the season's radiant glow. The sun casts beautiful clear highlights that enhance...
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Acrylic
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Waves crash onto the shore of the Central California Coast. Soft purple hues from the distant hills create a beautiful backdrop against the sun-kissed cliffs,...
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Oil
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The scene features vast open fields, mountains, and a horizon. Distant rolling sky and sweeping clouds capture the beauty of changing weather patterns. Shrubs...
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Oil
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Early morning sunlight brings out the soft colors of fall. Riverside trees cast a soothing shadow onto the water that reflects their vibrant hues. The stillne...
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Acrylic
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North Carolina boasts many beautiful rivers. The scene, set in late summer, highlights the early blush of fall and its reflections in the water. The sunlight ...
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Acrylic
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
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One sunny afternoon, artist Elizabeth Garat came across this charming town from Frances Mayes' beloved book. This artwork captures that moment. Roses bloom un...
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Oil
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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...
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Watercolor
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This painting draws inspiration from the architecture of quintessential Italian villages. The sunlight accentuates the stone walls and shutters, while a pot o...
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Oil
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A traveler sits on the edge of a fountain, resting under the shade. Nearby, a lady crossing the street seems also to be seeking refuge from the sun. Shaded sp...
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Oil
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"One of my favorite neighborhoods is the East Village in New York City," says artist Carey Parks. She paints three women taking a l...
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Acrylic
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The bright morning sunshine floods a front porch where an inviting scene unfolds. Artist Sherri Aldawood was drawn to the light and cast shadows on this historic adobe home in Taos, New Mexico. The two turquoise chairs add to the scene's charm and beckon the viewer to relax and enjoy the peaceful ambiance of the moment.
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...
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Oil
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Waves crash softly against a towering rock formation at El Matador Beach in Malibu. The sunlight illuminates the coastal scene, casting reflections on the wat...
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Oil
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Artist Carey Parks depicts a woman walking along the streets of Soho. A yellow taxi passes in the background, compelling the viewer to explore the compositio...
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Acrylic
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On a trip to Provence, artist Elizabeth Garat found herself lost and stumbled upon a picturesque moment in a village alley. The scene reminded her of Claude M...
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Oil
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Abundant with trees, the painting offers a visual sanctuary. The blend of warm yellow greens and cooler blue greens evokes feelings of freshness that calm the...
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Acrylic
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Artist Lisa Nielsen presents a delicate portrait of a nude woman. The model stretches into a quiet moment but with a dash of fantasy. Lisa offers a tender mom...
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Oil
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Lily pads spread across the water, their vigorous strokes contrasting with the softer details in the distance. As the early morning mist dissipates, the pond ...
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Oil
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Tree-studded hills and valleys in California glow under the summer sun. Dramatic shadows in deep blues and purples dot the golden grass, creating a striking c...
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Watercolor
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A road lined with vibrant sagebrushes leads to snow-covered mountains. The autumn colors burst with energy. Bright oranges, yellows, and purples contrast the ...
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Acrylic
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil, Board
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The Alpilles, a small mountain range in Provence, France, inspired artist Janet Dyer. She captured the contrast between its shadowed...
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Acrylic
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Coastal Davenport, California, comes alive with the essence of the Pacific coast in artist Lisa Elley's impressionist seascape. Rugged cliffs meet the gentle ...
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Oil
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An orchid tree blooms in celebration of tropical beauty. The soft blue background creates a serene and complementary contrast to the vibrant flowers and leave...
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Oil
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"I dedicate this vibrant still life to Claude Monet," says artist Jeff Fleming. With its explosion of colors and richness of textures, this impressionist pain...
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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 ...
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Oil
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A curved staircase leads upward, where people ascend, their forms casting intriguing shadows against the warm light. The blues and grays of the sky and struct...
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Watercolor
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A bird of paradise charms with its beauty. Its fiery petals contrast vividly with the lush green leaves. Inspired by her photograph taken during a stroll in S...
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Acrylic
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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. ...
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Acrylic
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Canvas, Oil
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In an orchard in Provence, France, olive trees dot the landscape. Streaks of sunlight filter through the leaves, warming the soil below. Using a palette knife and brush, artist Janet Dyer...
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Acrylic
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Artist Valerie Berkely offers a dreamy, atmospheric scene that guides the eyes toward the distant horizon. The rich pastel hues evoke a sense of autumn tranqu...
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Oil
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Four bottles of bourbon stand in alignment. Their rich amber hues subtly shift under the light. They echo the profound meaning behind their name, "living wate...
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Acrylic
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Artist Catherine McCargar paints vibrant purple flowers cut fresh from her lawn. "This summer, after plentiful winter rains, the buddleia or butterfly bushes in my garden are full of lush blooms," shares Catherine. She gathers a bunch and paints them in an impressionist style, letting the watercolors flow together. Catherine makes a delicate and painterly portrait of the blossoming stems.
About the Artist
Impressionist Catherine McCargar expresses her deep admiration of nature through landscape paintings of Northern California...
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Watercolor
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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 ...
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Acrylic
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This painting depicts the Rockaway River in Boonton, New Jersey, on a mid-winter day. It shows several cascades where the river narrows into a gorge along its...
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Oil
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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...
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Oil
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Mallard ducks cast their reflections on the swiftly moving water, with a pair gracefully gliding near a third one perched on a log. Dynamic brushwork and pale...
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Oil
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Sunlight illuminates the vibrant autumn foliage and golden grasses along the banks of Phillippi Creek in Sarasota, Florida. Spanish moss hangs from mature oak...
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Acrylic
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Gentle waves lap on a quiet beach. The palette knife strokes mimic the soothing motion of the waves, complemented by the softness of the clouds and the wispy ...
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Oil
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The rising sun hides behind the trees, casting their crowns in a soft red glow. Cotton candy clouds drift across the sky, their reflections dancing on the tra...
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Acrylic
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While driving west on Bahia Vista Road in Florida, artist Benjamin Thomas, his wife, and their dog, Gaia, noticed the sky turning into a breathtaking display...
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Acrylic
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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...
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Acrylic
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During a trip to London, artist Onleio Marrero explored the city's wonderful sites. On one of his strolls along the Thames, he noticed the neo-gothic fountain...
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Oil
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Houses and cottages dot a quiet street inspired by the township of Sterling in Ontario, Canada. Bathed in the warm sunlight, the setting comes to life with bo...
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Oil
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Artist Carey Parks depicts three kids standing outside a suburban neighborhood. She uses an old family photo to capture the essence...
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Acrylic
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A serene lake reflects the blue sky and surrounding trees on its still surface. The foliage portrays the changing season, from the bright summer day to cool a...
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Acrylic
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Amidst the intricate architectural details and timeless appeal of a brick building, the presence of people engaged in their daily routines brings vibrancy to ...
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Watercolor
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"I wanted to show the ideal daily farm life in Iowa," shares artist Sri Rao. She captures the crisp, sunny morning with cows mooing and...
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Acrylic
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Nestled in Coastal Big Sur, California, the jagged cliffs meet the soothing azure waves, creating a picturesque scenery. Enhanced by the vibrant hues of the wildflower...
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Oil
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The afternoon sun brings out the magical colors of fall. Yellows and oranges blend, fading gracefully among the trees. The river reflects its surroundings, he...
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Acrylic
