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.
Early 20th Century Impressionist More Art
Ink, Pen
Early 20th Century Impressionist More Art
Gouache
Late 19th Century Impressionist More Art
Canvas, Oil, Board
Mid-20th Century Impressionist More Art
Charcoal
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
Artist Comments
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...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Watercolor
1980s Impressionist More Art
Oil, Cardboard
1920s Impressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
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...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Acrylic
Artist Comments
Daffodils on three glass vessels rest on a checkered tabletop. Their mustard and white petals catch the soft light, glowing against the moody, olive-green backg...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
Two trees stand under the sun and cast cool shadows onto the grass. The trunks and foliage catch the light, making the scene glow and feel alive. Painted with a...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Acrylic
Artist Comments
The sun filters through a grove of trees, casting cool shadows on the ground. Brown, green, and pale green trunks provide varying visual points, creating quiet ...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Acrylic
Artist Comments
An aerial view reveals a patchwork of farmland in the Midwest. A blue lake nestles among the green fields, mirroring the soft hues of the horizon. The compositi...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Acrylic
Artist Comments
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
Artist Comments
A tranquil seascape captures the golden glow of sunset as it reflects across tidal pools and wet sand. Soft waves ripple toward the horizon, while distant islet...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
The colors of the sky shifted quickly during an evening walk, prompting artist Benjamin Thomas to capture its marmalade appeal. Bright orange and pastel pink cl...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Acrylic
Artist Comments
Bright sunlight sweeps across the landscape. Lush bushes and palm trees line the roadside, casting soft shadows below. Rolling hills rise on the horizon, hazy i...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Acrylic
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
2010s Impressionist More Art
Engraving, Etching
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
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Canvas, Oil
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
In the scenic beauty of Ontonagon River, Paulding, Michigan, a tranquil scene unfolds. The sun bathes the rocks and trees in the full radiance of summer, whil...
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
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil, Panel, Wood Panel
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
A young woman sits on the grass, deeply engrossed in painting the scenery before her. Loose brushwork and palette knife techniques bring to life the graceful ...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil, Board
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
2010s Impressionist More Art
Oil, Cardboard
2010s Impressionist More Art
Oil, Cardboard
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
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil, Panel
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
Mid-20th Century Impressionist More Art
Oil, Wood Panel
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil, Panel
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
Artist Comments
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...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
"It suggests a beautiful fall day in the mountains with the colorful changing leaves on display," shares artist Lisa Elley. Lisa's signature impasto trees com...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
Artist Judy Mudd embarks on a scenic journey along the Atlantic coast in search of inspiration for her rural collection. "One of the most memorable places I v...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Watercolor
Artist Comments
"Sometimes, when you lose your way in life, you will find yourself in a quiet place," says artist Jeff Fleming. In a secluded lake corner, he captures a scene...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
2010s Impressionist More Art
Oil, Cardboard
Artist Comments
Artist Warren Keating draws inspiration from the pedestrian view below his hotel balcony in St. Germain. This piece encapsulates the moment and character of a...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
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
Artist Comments
Artist Siyuan Ma illustrates the Mingtang in the ancient city of Datong, Shanxi Province–a national key cultural protected site. "It is one of the four grea...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Watercolor
Artist Comments
Artist Siyuan Ma exhibits the Shanhua Temple, located inside the ancient city of Datong in Shanxi Province–a key cultural heritage site under state-level pr...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Watercolor
Artist Comments
Artist Carey Parks illustrates a single hydrangea in a glass vase imposed on a background with a similar hue. Her impressionist style depicts the petals and l...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Acrylic
Artist Comments
Artist Carey Parks paints a mother watching her children blissfully wading by the shore. She references the piece on a photo taken at the beach in Rhode Islan...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Acrylic
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
Artist Carey Parks shares a striking viewpoint of a busy day at an urban crosswalk. She illustrates numerous people hurriedly cross...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Acrylic
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Metal
Artist Comments
Artist Maurice Dionne paints a bridge on a bright day with people enjoying the sound of rushing water. "The pumphouse feeds water from Ottawa's canal system into a fast-moving white water course where the River Runners are located," shares Maurice. "During summer months, you can catch people enjoying white water kayaking...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Watercolor
