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.
Whispers of Lavender Skies, Oil Painting
By Lisa Elley
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
Bathed in the hush of twilight, rows of blooming lavender stretch endlessly beneath a sky brushed with fading light. Each bold, textured stroke captures the fle...
Oil
Spring Shadows and Straw Hat, Oil Painting
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
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...
Oil
The Rooftops of Corfu, Oil Painting
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
Artist Karen d'Angeac Mihm traveled to Corfu with her family and fell in love with the landscape and the island's beautiful blue water. This particular painti...
Oil
Canal du Midi, Oil Painting
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
Tall trees with lush green foliage create an archway over a narrow waterway. A small boat with a blue hull docks along the water, adding a focal point to the ...
Oil
The Seeds of Hope, Original Painting
By Nava Lundy
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
This painting combines palette knife and brush techniques, using heavy impasto to create a richly textured surface. Vibrant pink, magenta, and green hues are ...
Acrylic
Off To Build My Nest, Original Painting
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
A robin lifts its wings, absorbed in the quiet, timeless work of building a home. The soft, dreamlike background, touched with hints of green, suggests the firs...
Acrylic
Cherry Blossom Waltz, Painting, Oil on Canvas
Located in Yardley, PA
Cherry Blossom Waltz, oil on canvas, 170 x 110 cm Pink petals swirl and dance across the canvas in Cherry Blossom Waltz, a bold, textured celebration of spring’s fleeting beauty...
Oil
Harmony in Blue, Painting, Oil on Canvas
Located in Yardley, PA
Harmony in Blue beautifully showcases a soothing blend of blue, violet, and white hydrangeas arranged in a stylish Art Deco-inspired vase. Each bloom bursts with vibrant color, creat...
Oil
Tulips and Sunshine, Painting, Oil on Canvas
Located in Yardley, PA
Tulips and Sunshine, oil on canvas, 100 x 100cm Tulips and Sunshine, captures the joyful embrace of warmth that comes with a sunny day. The vibrant yellow tulips stand tall, their...
Oil
Sunset in the State Park, Original Painting
By Janet Dyer
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
Golden sunlight bathes the Harriman State Park with a warm glow. Fiery colors cast over the slender trees and vast field. Painted with brush and palette knife, ...
Acrylic
A Chorus of Sunbeams, Painting, Oil on Canvas
Located in Yardley, PA
A Chorus of Sunbeams had me reaching for the brightest yellows and deepest indigos on my palette because I wanted to see if I could actually paint the feeling of golden sunlight on f...
Oil
Freya's Garden, Painting, Oil on Canvas
Located in Yardley, PA
Freya’s Garden is a celebration of strength, beauty, and renewal, inspired by the Norse goddess Freya, protector of love, nature, and fierce independence. I imagined a summer lands...
Oil
Orchid Oasis, Painting, Oil on Canvas
Located in Yardley, PA
Orchid Oasis is a celebration of tropical splendor, where lush foliage and vivid blooms intertwine in a rich botanical tapestry. Inspired by the elegance of traditional botanical ill...
Oil
Xochi in Bloom, Painting, Oil on Canvas
Located in Yardley, PA
Xochi in Bloom is a reflection of the untapped strength, radiance, and potential within all of us. This piece speaks to quiet moments of growth and transformation, those times when w...
Oil
A Head Full of Flowers, Painting, Oil on Canvas
Located in Yardley, PA
A Head Full of Flowers is a joyful exploration of inner beauty and blooming thoughts. Inspired by the idea that our richest worlds often live inside us, this painting imagines a youn...
Oil
Provence: In a Tarascon Alley, a Vignette of Light, Oil Painting
Located in San Francisco, CA
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...
Oil
Before the Trees Become Green, Oil Painting
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
Bare trees stand proudly under a bright autumn sun, their branches reaching skyward. The mountains in the background, retaining a scattering of greens, provide ...
Oil
Summer Dreams, Oil Painting
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
This evocative impressionist painting captures the essence of a garden by the pond. With loose brushwork and bold palette knife techniques, this piece exudes ...
Oil
Alluring Poppies Revisited, Original Painting
By Sally Adams
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
Bright red poppies stretch across an endless field, their fading details adding depth to the scene. Soft purple mountains rise in the distance under a serene ...
Acrylic
Secrets in the Mountains, Original Painting
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
Mountains inspire, intimidate, shape weather, shelter wildlife, and hold secrets. This piece draws inspiration from artist Melissa Gannon's trip to the Wallow...
Acrylic
Delta Gloaming, Oil Painting
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
Fiery clouds streak across the sky, gently illuminating the dark landscape below. In the distance, hints of cobalt blue contrast sharply with the red-orange g...
Oil
Path in Field, Provence, Original Painting
By Janet Dyer
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
Bright strokes of green highlight a sun-baked landscape in Provence, France. The winding path stretches through the summer field. Energetic dabs of a palette knife create texture and depth. The sky, painted in a rich blue, contrasts with the greenery, giving the painting a lively and dynamic feel.
About the Artist
Artist Janet Dyer...
Acrylic
High Desert Morning, Original Painting
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
A golden glow fills the early morning sky overhead a vast desert. Shades of red, green, and orange capture the essence of the landscape. The scene evokes a se...
Acrylic
A New Dawn, Original Painting
By Karen Barton
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
Two hummingbirds spread their wings, soaring gracefully against a pastel green backdrop that evokes the vibrancy of a sunlit garden. Inspired by artist Karen ...
Acrylic
"Joyful Day" Kyiv Ukraine, Painting, Oil on Canvas
Located in Yardley, PA
The painting "Joyful Day," created in 2024 in the M.M. Gryshko Botanical Garden in Kyiv, captures the vibrant beauty of a sunny spring day. The composition is dominated by blooming l...
Oil
"Endless sunrise", Painting, Oil on Canvas
Located in Yardley, PA
Instagram:@chebotaru.a The painting "Endless sunrise" created in 2024 on the ?ur?evi?a Bridge over the Tara River in Montenegro, captures a majestic morning panorama of the canyon. T...
Oil
"Evening in Stoliv", Painting, Oil on Canvas
Located in Yardley, PA
Instagram:@chebotaru.a. The painting "Evening in Stoliv," created in 2024, captures the serene atmosphere of a peaceful evening in the small town of Stoliv on the shores of Kotor Bay...
Oil
"Spring Has Come", Painting, Oil on Canvas
Located in Yardley, PA
Instagram:@chebotaru.a The painting "Spring Has Come," created in 2019 at the M.M. Gryshko Botanical Garden in Kyiv, captures the mood of nature awakening. The canvas depicts a bloom...
Oil
"Irises in My Mother's Garden", Painting, Oil on Canvas
Located in Yardley, PA
Instagram:@chebotaru.a The painting "Irises in My Mother's Garden," created in 2024 in the front yard of the artist's parents, captures the charm of a spring garden. The canvas depic...
Oil
"Irises", Painting, Oil on Canvas
Located in Yardley, PA
Instagram:@chebotaru.a The painting "Irises," created in 2024, presents a close-up of lilac-blue irises. Several large flowers in the foreground form the centerpiece of the compositi...
Oil
"Sunflowers", Painting, Oil on Canvas
Located in Yardley, PA
Instagram:@chebotaru.a The painting "Sunflowers," created in 2018, is a vibrant depiction of sunflowers in close-up from various angles. Yellow and orange flowers fill the entire can...
Oil
"Morning in Kotor Bay", Painting, Oil on Canvas
Located in Yardley, PA
Instagram: @chebotaru.a The painting "Morning in Kotor Bay," created in 2024 in the town of Muo, Montenegro, captures the tranquility and beauty of a morning landscape. It depicts th...
Oil
"The Scent of Freedom", Painting, Oil on Canvas
Located in Yardley, PA
Instagram: @chebotaru.a The painting, titled "The Scent of Freedom," was created in 2024 in a small settlement called Stoliv, Montenegro. It depicts the serene Kotor Bay in the morni...
Oil
Field of Sunflowers, Original Painting
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
Sunflowers bloom in abundance beneath a blue summer sky dotted with puffy clouds. Lush green leaves frame the golden petals, enhancing their vibrancy. The scene...
Acrylic
Up and Over, Original Painting
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
The flamboyant colors of fall strike the wild grasses and beech trees, creating a fresh image of the season. Bold brushstrokes highlight the shifting hues, cr...
Acrylic
Tulips on the Horizon, Original Painting
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
Pink and yellow tulips bloom under the bright sunlight, their green leaves reaching upward. Small clouds drift above the hill, completing the serene springtime ...
Acrylic
Evening, Lawrence County, Pennsylvania, Oil Painting
By Doug Cosbie
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
At sunset, the landscape basks in the last ray of light. The gradual transition to the evening sky brings a golden color to the rural areas of Pennsylvania. F...
Oil
Island Sunset, Original Painting
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
A peaceful sunset descends over Vancouver Island in Canada. Energetic brushstrokes and muted colors convey drifting clouds and distant mountains. Vibrant yet mo...
Acrylic
Ducks near the Chute in Boonton, Oil Painting
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
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...
Oil
Artichoke on Pedestal, Oil Painting
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
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...
Oil
Refined Indulgence, Original Painting
By Nava Lundy
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
Refined elegance exudes from a bottle of Macallan Terra, a rich amber whisky poured into a tasting glass, and a finely rolled cigar. Warm tones and soft textu...
Acrylic
Silver and Crimson, Oil Painting
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
Artist Tara Zalewsky-Nease reimagines the classic Old Master’s study of a pewter vase, infusing it with her lush, gestural style. A garlic clove resting on th...
Oil
Snowbelt, St. Lawrence County New York, Oil Painting
By Doug Cosbie
Located in San Francisco, CA
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...
Oil
Plein Air Forest-Side, Oil Painting
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
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...
Oil
Horizon XI, Oil Painting
By Mandy Main
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
Rich reds, golds, and oranges create a minimalist yet dramatic seascape. The panoramic format evokes a sense of vastness and tranquility. Slightly darker edges ...
Oil
Old Compton St (night)-Original realism London oil painting-contemporary 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 C...
Oil, Board
Skyward Bound, Oil Painting
By Karen Barton
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
A pair of hummingbirds soars above, searching for a place to land. Their rich, jewel-toned bodies stand out against the soft sky. Inspired by artist Karen Bar...
Oil
Birds of Paradise, Original Painting
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
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...
Acrylic
The Patient Heron, Oil Painting
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
Artist Onelio Marrero captures a sense of serenity, referencing a gentle river near his home. "Almost indistinguishable is the lone patient heron poised on a ...
Oil
Majestic River, Oil Painting
By Mandy Main
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
A river gorge reflects the calm colors of the expansive sky filled with soft, billowy clouds. Distant hills lining the horizon fade into mist. A dreamy atmosp...
Oil
Tracks in the Field, Original Painting
By Janet Dyer
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
Artist Janet Dyer captures the essence of an empty field yet hints at the presence of someone who has passed through. Broad strokes and layered textures conve...
Acrylic
Summer Hike, Original Painting
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
Bright sunlight filters through the leaves of a towering live oak tree, casting dappled shadows on the winding path below. Surrounding foliage creates a rich ...
Acrylic
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
“Hot Dayâ€
Located in Yardley, PA
Instagram: @chebotaru.a The painting, created in 2024 near the small town of Petrovac on the Adriatic Sea, Montenegro, is titled “Hot Dayâ€
Oil
“Melody of the Autumn Carpathiansâ€
Located in Yardley, PA
Instagram: @chebotaru.a The painting “Melody of the Autumn Carpathiansâ€
Oil
“On a Walkâ€
Located in Yardley, PA
Instagram: chebotaru.a The painting was created in 2024 at the M. M. Gryshko National Botanical Garden in Kyiv and is titled “On a Walk.â€
Oil
Lavender Field in Provence, Oil Painting
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
Rows of vibrant lavender stretch toward the horizon, their rich purple hues contrasting with golden pathways. Warm sunlight bathes the landscape, casting a gl...
Oil
“Angelâ€
Located in Yardley, PA
The painting was created in 2024 at the M. M. Gryshko National Botanical Garden in Kyiv and is titled “Angel.â€
Oil
Beautiful Day, Painting, Oil on Canvas
Located in Yardley, PA
The painting Beautiful Day created in 2024 in Stikovica, Croatia, captures a sunny Adriatic coastal scene. Bright light illuminates the rocky shore, with steps leading to the sparkli...
Oil
Morning expanses, Painting, Oil on Canvas
Located in Yardley, PA
"Morning expanses" created in 2024, depicts a vibrant morning in Montenegro's mountains. The bold, expressive palette captures the dynamic play of light and shadow as the sun rises, ...
Oil