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.
The Meeting, Oil Painting
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
A forest, painted in deep brown, creates a mysterious atmosphere late in the day. The bright yellow sky casts a golden glow onto the wildflowers in the foregr...
Oil
Collectibles, Oil Painting
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
In this warm impressionist painting, artist Onelio Marrero captures his love of antiques and collectibles. He depicts the eclectic clutter of an antiques store ...
Oil
Michigan Avenue: Where Light Meets Rain, Oil Painting
By Yangzi Xu
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
Artist Yangzi captures a rainy evening on Chicago's Michigan Avenue. Streetlamps glow warmly against the cool reflections of the wet pavement. Figures with umbr...
Oil
Sailboat, Oil Painting
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
A lone sailboat drifts on a calm lake, its white sail catching the light and reflecting softly on the water below. A distant treeline and shoreline stretch alon...
Oil
Williamsburg VA in Spring
Located in Milford, NH
A fine spring scene in historic Williamsburg, Virginia with the Governor’s Palace in the background by American artist Guy Carleton Wiggins (1883-1962). Wiggins was born in Brooklyn,...
Canvas, Oil
Landscape with a Cart Path
By Theodore Victor Carl Valenkamph
Located in Milford, NH
A fine New England landscape with a cart path and birch tree by Swedish-American artist Theodore Victor Carl Valenkamph (1868-1924). Valenkamph was born in Stockholm, Sweden, and emi...
Canvas, Oil
Radiant Backdraft, Oil Painting
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
This backlit study of paper and a peeled orange captures the luminous effect of a strong, direct light. Warm and cool shadows create dramatic contrast across th...
Oil
Patiently Waiting - Royal Stables, Cordoba, Oil Painting
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
At the Royal Stables in Córdoba, Spain, a quiet passageway shaped by centuries of horsemanship awaits visitors. Framed by a stone arch, a single horse stands i...
Oil
Splash, Oil Painting
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
The sky and the sea appear to merge through shifting shades of blue. Brown tones in the foreground suggest the sand beneath the shallow water. White strokes cap...
Oil
Lake Giverny Monet Inspired Tapestry
Located in Atlanta, GA
Claude Monet's painting of his lily pond at Giverny is transformed into this beautiful dramatic jacquard tapestry woven in Belgium. Monet painted many scenes from his home at Giverny...
Tapestry
Soft Evening of the Desert, Oil Painting
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
Soft evening colors highlight the beauty of the American desert. A gentle and warm palette creates an airy feeling that suggests an open space. The quiet energy...
Oil
Hello There, Original Painting
By Karen Barton
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
Two hummingbirds spread their wings and soar gracefully. The pastel green background evokes a lush garden on a sunny day. The scene takes inspiration from art...
Acrylic
Along the Bay, Original Painting
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
A dirt path cuts between a golden field and the San Francisco Bay, leading to the rolling hills in the distance. Vibrant colors bring warmth to the scenery. Art...
Encaustic
Nocturnal Water Lilies, Oil Painting
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
As night approaches, the colors of the sky reflect on the pond, with the silhouette of trees filtering the fiery sunset. Water lilies pick up different hues a...
Oil
"Cloud Reflections" oil painting, impressionist landscape of Vermont, Mountains
By Viktor Butko
Located in Sag Harbor, NY
"Cloud Refelctions" is an oil painting by Russian Impressionist painter Viktor Butko (b. 1978, Moscow) painted en plein air, aka outdoors. This painting is a culmination of Butko's ...
Linen, Oil
Orange Fireworks, Oil Painting
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
The warm light from a candle passes through orange slices and a whiskey glass in this still life painting. The glow casts long, flickering shadows across the su...
Oil
Olivier Foss Evening Cityscape Oil Painting, Paris Circa 1900 & Moulin Rouge
Located in Milford, NH
A wonderful cityscape of Paris and the famous Moulin Rouge circa 1900 by German artist Olivier Foss (1920-2014). Foss was born in Hanover, Germany, took his secondary education in Be...
Canvas, Oil
Sunset, Rockport Harbor
Located in Milford, NH
A colorful Cape Ann, Massachusetts marine harbor scene with boats docked by American artist Emile Albert Gruppé (1896-1978). Gruppé was born in Rochester, NY, and is renowned for his New England landscapes and vigorous portrayals of the harbors and houses of Gloucester, Massachusetts. The son of landscape artist Charles P. Gruppé (1860-1940), Emile enjoyed a long and successful career that spanned over six decades.In 1925, Gruppé began spending summers in Gloucester. He established a studio on Rocky Neck in East Gloucester where he taught plein-air classes. In 1942 —along with Bridgman, Carlson, Miller and Chapman—he established the Gruppé Summer School, which he continued to operate until 1970.Gruppé’s works hang in many colleges and museums: Smith College, Silberman College in Montreal, the University of Idaho, the Los Angeles Museum, the San Antonio Museum and the de Cordova Museum. His paintings are also at the White House in Washington, D.C. and the Gruppe Summer School in Gloucester. Oil on canvas, signed lower right, title inscribed on verso stretcher “Sunset, Rockport Harbor...
Canvas, Oil
By the Fireside, Oil Painting
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
A mother and child sit in front of a cozy fire, basking in the warmth it provides. The scene captures the miracle of childbirth and the intimate bond between th...
Oil
Reeds channel, Painting, Oil on Canvas
Located in Yardley, PA
The original oil painting depicts a serene natural landscape, vividly depicting a waterway flowing through lush greenery. The canal is lined with reeds and cattails, reflecting a lig...
Oil
Arm in Arm, Oil Painting
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
The artwork depicts a warm summer day in Montmartre, Paris. An older couple walks arm in arm across the street while people dining al fresco bask in the afterno...
Oil
Italian Reflection, Oil Painting
By Lisa Elley
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
The painting draws inspiration from the architecture of charming lakeside villages in Italy. Light highlights the stone walls and shutters, while reflections ad...
Oil
View of Florence, Oil Painting
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
Sunlight bathes the facades and rooftops of Florence in warm, golden hues, creating a striking contrast against the cool purples and blues of the distant hills....
Oil
Time to Move, Oil Painting
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
A mother and her child strike their camp for higher ground as the tide comes in with the occasional rogue wave. Artist Onelio Marrero and his wife live near the...
Oil
Cedar Vista, Original Painting
By David Forks
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
Cedar trees, bluebonnets, and cacti grace a hilltop near Willow City, Texas. A body of water peeks through the edge of the grass-covered ground. The painterly...
Acrylic
Sunny Blues, Original Painting
By David Forks
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
Bluebonnets bloom in a tranquil Texan meadow beneath a soft, sunny sky. Vibrant shades of green and blue fill the foreground, bringing the wildflowers to life. ...
Acrylic
Bay of dreams, Painting, Oil on Canvas
Located in Yardley, PA
"Bay of dreams" captures the enchanting beauty of Stoliv, a historic town in the breathtaking Kotor Bay, Montenegro. This impressionist painting radiates warmth and movement, as the ...
Oil
Learning from Rembrandt, Oil Painting
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
This painting combines two of artist Onelio Marrero's interests: his love for the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City and his fascination with observi...
Oil
Coastal Iris Bloom, Oil Painting
By Lisa Elley
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
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...
Oil
Courtyard in Seville II, Oil Painting
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
Sunlight filters through the arches of a hidden courtyard in Seville, casting dappled shadows on the foliage and potted plants. The warm tones of the building...
Oil
Tree Screen
Located in Milford, NH
A fine impressionist New England woodland landscape by American artist Emile Albert Gruppé (1896-1978). Gruppé was born in Rochester, NY, and is renowned for his New England landscap...
Canvas, Oil
Thick Outside
Located in Milford, NH
A fine Cape Cod scene with fisherman heading out on the dock in heavy fog by American artist Tod Lindenmuth (1885-1976). Lindenmuth was born in Allentown, Pennsylvania, and later worked in Provincetown and Rockport, Massachusetts, with a home in St. Augustine. A founder of the Provincetown Art Association and one of the original Provincetown Printers, Lindenmuth was a semi-abstract painter and graphic artist who did much to promote modernist styles and was well known for his modernist, semi-abstract and marine subject paintings. Lindenmuth studied with Robert Henri and was a member of the Salmagundi Club and the Rockport Art Association. He was also active in Provincetown until 1941, and then retired to Florida in the 1960s, having spent his winters there since the 1930s. Oil on canvas, signed lower right, title inscribed on verso Provincetown Art Association Regular Jury 1938 label “Thick Outside...
Canvas, Oil
Fishing, Oil Painting
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
Gray and orange tones spread across the sky and water, framing two fishermen at dawn. The sun, hidden behind clouds, cast a hint of light on the lake. The pair ...
Oil
Coastal Elder at Cayucos, Oil Painting
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
Artist Elizabeth Garat paints an inspiring view of the California coast. She references the piece on scenes from an expedition to the beautiful coastal town of Cayucos, California. The stately tree stands alone in the surrounding field, capturing the viewer's attention. Elizabeth fully offers the tranquility of the quiet view.
About the Artist
Growing up in California and Colorado, Elizabeth spent much of her formative years outdoors. “Exposure to nature early on planted the seed of landscape painting in me,†she says. She enjoyed spending time on her grandfather’s sunny sheep ranch and going to the beach with her grandmother. Her grandmother also would bring her to art galleries in Laguna Beach, where she was first introduced to California Impressionism...
Oil
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
Early Twentieth Century Impressionist Landscape of Autumn with Golden Trees
Located in ludlow, GB
Early Twentieth Century Impressionist Landscape of Trees in a Wooded Landscape in Autumn with gold and rust coloured Leaves. This Impressionistic Unsigned Oil Painting on Canvas is ...
Oil
Looking for Sunshine, Oil Painting
By Karen Barton
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
Two monarch butterflies flutter gracefully against a soft, green background. A subtle glow around them brings the idea of movement. Delicate patterns and detail...
Oil
Cornish Coast or Coast of Cornwall
Located in Milford, NH
A fine impressionist beach scene by American artist Charles Herbert Woodbury (1864-1940). Woodbury was born in Lynn, MA, and sold his first painting when he was fifteen years old and...
Canvas, Oil
$550
Water Lilies Heat of Day, Oil PaintingWater Lilies Heat of Day, Oil PaintingWate
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
Water lilies float serenely on a pond, their pink blossoms contrasting with the green foliage. Sunlight dances across the scene, reflecting in shimmering patc...
Oil
Out Yonder, Oil Painting
By Mary Pratt
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
A woman stands in a sun-drenched field that stretches endlessly around her. Her vibrant red skirt contrasts beautifully with the golden grass, drawing the eye t...
Oil
Serenity in the Swiss Alps, Painting, Oil on Canvas
Located in Yardley, PA
"Serenity in the Swiss Alps" captures the breathtaking beauty of Lauterbrunnen, Switzerland. Nestled between towering cliffs and snow-capped peaks, this idyllic village is bathed in ...
Oil
New England Hillside
Located in Milford, NH
A fine landscape oil painting by American artist Harriet Randall Lumis (1870-1853). Lumis was born in Salem, CT, and ironically, her art background did not begin until after she marr...
Canvas, Oil
Spring Bouquet, Oil Painting
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
Artist Karen d'Angeac Mihm used an early-season bouquet from her flower subscription as a reference in this still life. Drawn to the delicate shapes and gracefu...
Oil
Lights Reflection After the Rain. Union Station, Oil Painting
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
Viewed from Union Station, the rain creates a romantic and cozy atmosphere in downtown Denver. Cars park on both sides of the road while a cycle rickshaw crosse...
Oil
Marbella Alley, Oil Painting
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
Artist Sherri Aldawood captures a peaceful moment from her trip to Marbella, Spain. Sunlight fills a narrow alleyway, adorned with vibrant flowers and lush pl...
Oil
This Florida, Original Painting
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
Palm and oak trees create a vibrant forest scene. The sun filters through the foliage and casts dappled light on the ground. Bright reds and yellows highlight...
Acrylic
The Path, Oil Painting
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
Fields of grass stretch untouched except for a path leading into distant woods. Flowers bloom in the shaded foreground, while bright sunlight illuminates just b...
Oil
Santa Maria del Fiore Cathedral, Florence, Italy - Inlaid Woodwork
Located in Soquel, CA
Santa Maria del Fiore Cathedral, Florence, Italy - Inlaid Woodwork Inlaid woodwork depicting the Santa Maria del Fiore Cathedral in Florence, Italy. The top of the Cathedral is the ...
Wood, Wood Panel
One Hydrangea, Original Painting
Located in San Francisco, CA
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...
Acrylic
Patriarch, Original Painting
By Sally Adams
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
A raven stands at the top of a weathered wooden post. Loose watercolor washes define its body, while darker tones shape its head and wing. Paint splatters dri...
Watercolor
Snowy Banks of the River
Located in Milford, NH
A fine mountainous winter landscape by American artist Arthur Clifton Goodwin (1864-1929). Born in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, Goodwin lived and worked most of his life in Massachuset...
Canvas, Oil, Board
Yellow Field, Original Painting
By Janet Dyer
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
Using a palette knife, artist Janet Dyer paints a rural landscape in rich, jewel-like tones. A cloudy sky softens the light, revealing layered colors that shi...
Acrylic
Festive Moment, Oil Painting
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
A jewel-toned still life captures the warmth of seasonal celebrations. Ruby-colored candles glow amid fallen blossoms, while rich impressionistic brushstrokes e...
Oil
Killarney, Oil Painting
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
A grassy field dotted with trees stretches beneath a moody sky. The lake flows with quiet serenity, while a distant mountain stands still on the horizon. Arti...
Oil
Blissful Lagoon, Oil Painting
By Lisa Elley
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
Inspired by the scenery of Monterey Bay in California, artist Lisa Elley captures a picturesque ocean view dotted with flowers in the foreground. California p...
Oil
Bloomerang, Original Painting
By Autumn Rose
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
An assortment of flowers bursts from a vase in this predominantly cool composition of blues and greens. The swirling botanical pattern on the tablecloth echoe...
Acrylic
Road Through Green Fields, England, Original Painting
By Janet Dyer
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
A narrow road cuts forward through rolling green fields. Dark hedges and tree lines break the land, while the yellow patches suggest cultivated soil. Painted wi...
Acrylic
Modern Impressionist Ballet Oil Painting of Three Dancers in Tutus Backstage
Located in ludlow, GB
Modern Impressionist Ballet Scene of Three Dancers Backstage in Tutus, a Signed Oil Painting on Canvas, mounted on stretchers and framed in bespoke handmade Frame. Legrand is a well ...
Oil
Roches de Mariol in the mist, morning light, Painting, Oil on Canvas
Located in Yardley, PA
Landscape of Auvergne, France. From my studio window, this spectacular sea of clouds fills the valleys, transforming an earthly landscape into a celestial world. I am fascinated b...
Oil
End of a Snowy Day, Oil Painting
Located in San Francisco, CA
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...
Oil