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.
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Early 20th Century Impressionist More Art
Canvas, Oil
Early 20th Century Impressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
In 2023, artist Onelio Marrero began a series of oil sketches featuring men painting buildings high above city sidewalks. Based on one of these studies, this ...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
Artist Catherine shares a peek into the beautiful autumnal woodlands of California, presenting her keen eye for color an...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Watercolor
Artist Comments
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...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Acrylic
Artist Comments
Autumn foliage surrounds a peaceful mountain landscape. Tall birch trees line the scene, their white trunks contras...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
Fresh tulips fill the scene with vibrant colors that evoke joy. The cool green leaves and dark purple background contrast beautifully with the bright pink pet...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Acrylic
Artist Comments
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
Artist Comments
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...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
Painted from life, a pink hyacinth emerges from a clay pot. Over several days, its blossoms gradually unfurl, revealing fresh petals. The leaves transition from...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Acrylic
Artist Comments
Tall trees line a winding path, their dark trunks contrasting with the warm, glowing light filling the sky. Using a limited palette, the scene captures the ri...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
Yellow lilies and pink carnations fill a glass vase resting at the edge of a wooden table. Textured brushstrokes bring the floral arrangement to life, while pastel colors add warmth. The composition exudes a sense of joy and freshness.
About the Artist
Artist Samuel Pretorius' paintings evoke a quiet nostalgia. Each brushstroke suggests a shape, a landscape, or a subject—letting the memory of the viewer fill in the details. He invariably works with photographs, creating representations of actual locations he documents, and enjoys making bold brush movements that capture the essence of his subject in the fewest marks possible. "My paintings are best described as 'suggestionistic.' I aim to create fleeting images that you long to see again, a place that you will never forget, or one you yearn to visit," says Samuel. Originally from South Africa, he comes from a family of artists who encouraged him early to paint and draw. In primary school, his work was included in a national exhibition at the Pretoria Art Museum. While growing up, his art education came from exhibiting at local art galleries, participating in open markets and plein air painting events, and joining monthly exhibitions. Recently becoming a US citizen, Samuel decided to dedicate a portion of his study to his home studio to fulfill his passion for painting. This well-lit area, often supervised by his Siamese cat, allows him to paint any time of the day. Outside the creative industry, Samuel enjoys exploring the world's beauty and creating code as a software developer.
Words that describe this painting: flower, floral, vase, bouquet, lily, carnation, pastel, bouquet, painterly, impressionism, still life, flora, acrylic painting, pink
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Acrylic
Artist Comments
Wildflowers frame the bluffs, offering a tranquil view of the Pacific Ocean. The blues and purples add a calming, cool tone to the scene. Artist Lisa Elley pa...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil, Panel, Wood Panel
Artist Comments
Bold strokes capture a partially nude woman against a deep, muted background. Artist Judy Mackey uses minimal detail, intentionally leaving the face blank to ...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
19th Century Impressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
Golden leaves cling to slender trees, their white trunks standing out against a blue backdrop. Red, yellow, and orange foliage blankets the ground, capturing ...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
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...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Acrylic
Artist Comments
A rustic red barn nestles among the lush greenery at the Thomas Ranch on Old Northville Road. Mt. Diablo peeks through the trees while vibrant wildflowers sca...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Watercolor
Artist Comments
Bright sunlight dances on the serene pond, reflecting the vibrant greens of the surrounding foliage. Gentle ripples add a sense of movement to the tranquil sc...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
Artist Lisa Elley's signature impasto trees stand tall with thick texture and gentle movement in the foliage. The colorful changing leaves contrast against th...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
Small birds perch on a wire beneath a crescent moon. The subtle rose gold leaf applied to the animals adds shimmer and creates a striking focal point. The tit...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Acrylic
Artist Comments
Growing up in Minnesota, artist Joanie Ford loved the winter days, ice fishing, and when snow blanketed the trees. This oil painting reflects her fond memorie...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
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
Artist Comments
Bright sunlight bathes a quiet street in Mormant, France. White houses with red roofs stand out against a vivid green lawn and a clear blue sky. Trees cast gentle shadows on the ground. Painted with brush and palette knife, the vibrant colors evoke a sense of warmth and tranquility.
About the Artist
Artist Janet Dyer...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Acrylic
Artist Comments
A weathered boat rests along the shoreline, while the shack in the background mirrors its rust tones and distressed markings. The warm autumn foliage complete...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Watercolor
Artist Comments
Golden leaves line the banks of a serene river in North Carolina. Bare branches on the opposite side contrast with the warm, sunlit trees. The vibrant colors ...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Acrylic
19th Century Impressionist More Art
Watercolor
Artist Comments
This painting portrays one of the paths at the Glendalough Monastery in Ireland. The concealed monastery hosts numerous ruins of chapels and burial sites, wit...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
Early evening colors reflect on a peaceful lake, painting its surface with soft purple hues. Aquatic plants pick up different tones as they recede into the sh...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
Sunlight bathes a quaint village scene along the Camino de Santiago, highlighting the warm terracotta roofs of the farmhouses. Shadows play across the buildin...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
2010s Impressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
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
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...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
A small patch of reeds line the edge of a pond, catching the sun early in the morning. Their golden blades contrast with the deep greens of the surrounding tr...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Acrylic
2010s Impressionist More Art
Canvas, Oil
2010s Impressionist More Art
Canvas, Oil
Artist Comments
The Alpilles, a small mountain range in Provence, France, inspired artist Janet Dyer. She captured the contrast between its shadowed...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Acrylic
Artist Comments
Artist Kira Yustak paints a bed of dandelions with two bumblebees hovering above. The airy flowers provide essential food to pollinators as the first blooms o...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Acrylic
Artist Comments
Cozy cottages line up snugly on a quiet street in the coastal town of Mendocino, California. The scene leads to the top of the road, where the sky blends into...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Watercolor
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil, Board
Artist Comments
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
Artist Comments
Sunlight filters through the forest, casting a warm, golden glow on the ground. Tall trees with reddish-brown trunks line ...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Acrylic
Artist Comments
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
Mid-20th Century Impressionist More Art
Paper, Oil, Board
Artist Comments
A view from a ferry ride offers a glimpse of a distant mountain clad in snow, its peak hidden behind thick layers of clouds. The still water and gray sky sugg...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
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...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Acrylic
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...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
Two women in bikinis enjoy the seaside swings. Their carefree energy captures the essence of joie de vivre. The wispy brush strokes with strong contrast creat...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
Sunlight illuminates the vibrant autumn foliage and golden grasses along the banks of Phillippi Creek in Sarasota, Florida. Spanish moss hangs from mature oak...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Acrylic
Artist Comments
Artist Onelio Marrero finds inspiration in observing fellow artists at work. This vibrant oil painting features a window designer along the sidewalk of midtow...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
Artist Thomas Hoerber paints commercial fishing boats clustered together as they wait to refuel along Morro Bay. The Shell logo reinforces the narrative. Repeating rectangular shapes lend an almost abstract quality, while the soft background fades away. The rusty exterior of the docked vessels gives an industrial feel to the scene.When framing the artwork, Thomas recommends cutting the mat 0.5 inches larger than the paper and mounting it to a backing. This highlights the raw edge and paint detail.
About the Artist
Artist Thomas Hoerber brings his lifelong experience as a make-up artist to his watercolor paintings. "I am drawn to the historical and the weathered because I find beauty in their character," says Thomas. Following his retirement from a 45-year career in the TV and film industry, he finds endless inspiration on the rugged California coast. His focus on painting different kinds of boats is inspired by all the time he spent fishing with his grandfather. Additionally, his motivation to capture coastal scenes stems from day trips to waterside cities and memories of deep-sea fishing, motorcycle riding...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Watercolor
Artist Comments
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...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Watercolor
Artist Comments
A road lined with vibrant sagebrushes leads to snow-covered mountains. The autumn colors burst with energy. Bright oranges, yellows, and purples contrast the ...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Acrylic
Artist Comments
Three bright oranges and a green lime in a glass bowl rest on a rustic wooden table. The finger-painting technique and the use of bold, expressive strokes enhance the natural vibrancy of the fruits. The poignant simplicity evokes a sense of warmth and vitality.
About the Artist
Artist Samuel Pretorius' paintings evoke a quiet nostalgia. Each brushstroke suggests a shape, a landscape, or a subject—letting the memory of the viewer fill in the details. He invariably works with photographs, creating representations of actual locations he documents, and enjoys making bold brush movements that capture the essence of his subject in the fewest marks possible. "My paintings are best described as 'suggestionistic.' I aim to create fleeting images that you long to see again, a place that you will never forget, or one you yearn to visit," says Samuel. Originally from South Africa, he comes from a family of artists who encouraged him early to paint and draw. In primary school, his work was included in a national exhibition at the Pretoria Art Museum. While growing up, his art education came from exhibiting at local art galleries, participating in open markets and plein air painting events, and joining monthly exhibitions. Recently becoming a US citizen, Samuel decided to dedicate a portion of his study to his home studio to fulfill his passion for painting. This well-lit area, often supervised by his Siamese cat, allows him to paint any time of the day. Outside the creative industry, Samuel enjoys exploring the world's beauty and creating code as a software developer.
Words that describe this painting: finger painting, oranges, bowl, fruit, table, chair, lime, glass, impressionism, still life, cuisine, acrylic painting, orange
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Acrylic
Artist Comments
A boat tied to a dock patiently awaits its passenger. Nearby, a stone bridge connects the lush greenery on both sides of the river. The tranquil water and its...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
Artist Warren Keating exhibits a motion-filled painting of an aerial view of an orange umbrella in the rain. He draws inspiration from witnessing the scene f...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
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
