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.
Artist Comments
A watercolor painting depicting a serene coastal scene. A small white boat rests on calm water in the foreground, evoking tranquility. In the background, two ...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Watercolor
Early 20th Century Impressionist More Art
Canvas, Oil
Early 20th Century Impressionist More Art
Gouache
Artist Comments
Artist Lynn Goldstein drew inspiration from spring's vibrant colors for this piece. Bright greens of fresh leaves, soft yellow flowers, and striking red buds ...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Acrylic
1980s Impressionist More Art
Oil, Cardboard
1880s Impressionist More Art
Lithograph
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Mid-20th Century Impressionist More Art
Charcoal
20th Century Impressionist More Art
Oil
2010s Impressionist More Art
Linen, Oil
1980s Impressionist More Art
Lithograph
Artist Comments
White blossoms adorn the trees, their petals depicted with movement and grace. The sunlight filters through the branches and casts dappled shadows on the grou...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Acrylic
Early 20th Century Impressionist More Art
Oil, Board
2010s Impressionist More Art
Engraving, Etching
2010s Impressionist More Art
Oil, Cardboard
Artist Comments
One sunny afternoon, artist Elizabeth Garat came across this charming town from Frances Mayes' beloved book. This artwork captures that moment. Roses bloom un...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
Two kids play at a beach in California. The boy pours sand into a green bucket while the girl sits beside him, both deeply engrossed in their play. The bright...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Early 20th Century Impressionist More Art
Ink, Pen
2010s Impressionist More Art
Oil, Cardboard
Artist Comments
Three vibrant nectarines fill a glass bowl, their warm, rich colors contrasting with the cooler background tones. The spirited bru...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Acrylic
Artist Comments
An orange sits between green and blue bottles. Their vibrant colors create a striking contrast against the soft background. Using a finger painting technique,...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Acrylic
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Canvas, Acrylic
Artist Comments
The rising sun bathes a high desert with warm, golden light. Soft, purple shadows mingle with the vibrant yellow and orange hues of the rabbitbrush. The abstr...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Acrylic
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
A thick greenery surrounds a quaint cottage, its roof peeking through the vibrant foliage. Roses bloom profusely in the foreground while trees soar high in th...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Watercolor
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Archival Paper, Linocut
2010s Impressionist More Art
Oil, Cardboard
Artist Comments
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...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Acrylic
Mid-20th Century Impressionist More Art
Paper, Gouache
Mid-20th Century Impressionist More Art
Pastel
Artist Comments
A small pond witnesses an evolving scenery. Initially devoid of houses, it now features a few nestled among the trees yet retains patches of woodland. The com...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Acrylic
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil, Panel, Wood Panel
Artist Comments
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...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Acrylic
Artist Comments
Vibrant tropical scenes greet hikers at every turn in the Florida hiking preserves. Under the summer sun, tall and majestic longleaf pines provide ample shade...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Acrylic
Artist Comments
A dry dock pier in Avila, California brims with history and activity. In this instance, a small boat is on its way to a well-deserved overhaul. It passes by l...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Watercolor
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In the San Francisco Bay, just beyond Sausalito, weathered shacks stand abandoned along the water's edge. The sun peeks through the overcast sky, casting ench...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Watercolor
Artist Comments
The fishing boats in San Pedro are rich in historical color. They are passed down from generation to generation. The painting draws attention to the foregroun...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Watercolor
Artist Comments
A solitary rider journeys through a secluded section of a town, arousing curiosity about his destination. The interplay of colors and shapes within the compos...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Watercolor
Artist Comments
While visiting a friend in Brandon, Vermont, artist Thomas Hoerber spots an old, abandoned barber shop. The town brims with quaint history. One cannot help but think about the countless haircuts and shaves that have taken place here over the years, each with its unique style. The weathered facade hints at many untold stories, waiting for someone new to open the doors and begin again.
About the Artist
Words that describe this painting: barbershop, town, facade, exterior, shop, store, stairs, window, Brandon, Vermont, window, paper, architecture, impressionism, travel...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Watercolor
Artist Comments
Early fall brings forth golden grasses, with distant mountains providing a cool backdrop. The rushing stream curves through the sunlight and shade, creating a sense of movement within the composition. Bold brushstrokes and vibrant colors capture the rugged beauty of the landscape...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Acrylic
Artist Comments
At times, seemingly ordinary landscapes reveal themselves as works of art. Just as the foliage dances between light and shadow, with leaves enjoying the sunli...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Acrylic
Artist Comments
Grass, bushes, and trees form a picturesque setting for a rivulet that subtly joins a stream. Varied brushstrokes capture the nuances of their forms and textu...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Acrylic
Artist Comments
On a late morning, a hiking trail welcomes the warmth of the sun. Palm and oak trees provide comforting shades along the way, while the treetops capture the f...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Acrylic
Early 2000s Impressionist More Art
Oil
Early 20th Century Impressionist More Art
Oil, Board
Artist Comments
Amidst the intricate architectural details and timeless appeal of a brick building, the presence of people engaged in their daily routines brings vibrancy to ...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Watercolor
Artist Comments
Vibrant red grass pierces through the snow, infusing fiery hues into the cold landscape. Dark green foliage extends into the distance, contrasting the whites ...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Acrylic
Artist Comments
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
Artist Comments
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...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
This still-life painting features roses in a clear glass vase. The flowers' velvety red hues contrast beautifully with their green stems, making them stand ou...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Acrylic
Artist Comments
Olive trees flourish outside a building in Provence, France, and take on their autumn tones. The surrounding foliage forms a natural frame and highlights the ...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Acrylic
Artist Comments
Artist Sri Rao portrays an idyllic morning in the heart of Iowa's countryside. The sun timidly peeks from a veil of clouds, casting a s...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Acrylic
Artist Comments
In Sri Rao's charming depiction, the contrasting beauty of a summer morning before a thunderstorm emerges in vibrant colors. "Birds sta...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Acrylic
Artist Comments
Inspired by memory and photos taken on a hiking trip, artist David Thelen captures the woodland's moody atmosphere. Barren trees loom along the rocky trail, w...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
Artist Claudia Verciani captures the splendor of a Tuscan landscape. "During my vacation, I came across a field of sunflowers by the road, and I felt compelle...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
