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.
Empty 6 packs on the sidewalk, Painting, Oil on Other
By John Kilduff
Located in Yardley, PA
Oil on linen. :: Painting :: Impressionist :: This piece comes with an official certificate of authenticity signed by the artist :: Ready to Hang: No :: Signed: Yes :: Signature Loc...
Oil
$540
Swanston Street view from Princes Bridge, Painting, Watercolor on Watercolor Pap
By John Kilduff
Located in Yardley, PA
Plein air watercolor of Swanston Street from Princes Bridge in Melbourne, Australia. :: Painting :: Impressionist :: This piece comes with an official certificate of authenticity sig...
Watercolor
Kitten in fig tree #2, Painting, Oil on Other
By John Kilduff
Located in Yardley, PA
Oil and oil stick on burlap mounted on cardboard. The cardboard is warped but will flatten out. Will need to have it framed. :: Painting :: Impressionist :: This piece comes with an ...
Oil
Kitten in fig tree #3, Painting, Oil on Canvas
By John Kilduff
Located in Yardley, PA
Oil and Oil stick on linen of a kitten (Silver) in a fig tree #3. :: Painting :: Impressionist :: This piece comes with an official certificate of authenticity signed by the artist :...
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
Los Angeles 114 degrees, Painting, Oil on Canvas
By John Kilduff
Located in Yardley, PA
View of Los Angeles ( Valley) from above during a heat wave. Featured in an upcoming movie. :: Painting :: Impressionist :: This piece comes with an official certificate of authentic...
Oil
Street palms, Painting, Oil on Canvas
By John Kilduff
Located in Yardley, PA
Oil on large canvas of an imaginary street view of palm trees. :: Painting :: Impressionist :: This piece comes with an official certificate of authenticity signed by the artist :: R...
Oil
Lifeguard Tower Malibu, Painting, Watercolor on Paper
By John Kilduff
Located in Yardley, PA
Plein air watercolor of the Lifeguard Tower in front of Malibu Seafood restaurant in Malibu, California. :: Painting :: Impressionist :: This piece comes with an official certificate...
Watercolor
Beer Aisle, Painting, Acrylic on Canvas
By John Kilduff
Located in Yardley, PA
Beer aisle of the local supermarket. Posca markers on linen, mounted on wood. :: Painting :: Impressionist :: This piece comes with an official certificate of authenticity signed by ...
Acrylic
Above Santa Monica, Painting, Acrylic on Canvas
By John Kilduff
Located in Yardley, PA
View overlooking the Santa Monica coastline. Spray paint, Acrylic and Acrylic Markers on burlap mounted on wood. :: Painting :: Impressionist :: This piece comes with an official cer...
Acrylic
Overlooking the Valley, Painting, Acrylic on Canvas
By John Kilduff
Located in Yardley, PA
View overlooking the valley from Mulholland Drive. Posca markers on linen, mounted on cardboard. :: Painting :: Impressionist :: This piece comes with an official certificate of auth...
Acrylic
Kitten on window sill, Painting, Acrylic on Canvas
By John Kilduff
Located in Yardley, PA
Large acrylic painting of a kitten in the window sill. Painting will be shipped rolled up in a tube. :: Painting :: Impressionist :: This piece comes with an official certificate of...
Acrylic
Silver in the Sun, Painting, Acrylic on Paper
By John Kilduff
Located in Yardley, PA
Portrait of Silver in the Sun. Acrylic and markers on Matt board. :: Painting :: Impressionist :: This piece comes with an official certificate of authenticity signed by the artist :...
Acrylic
Silver in the Sun #2, Painting, Oil on Canvas
By John Kilduff
Located in Yardley, PA
Painting of a kitten in the Sun. Oil and oil sticks on canvas. :: Painting :: Impressionist :: This piece comes with an official certificate of authenticity signed by the artist :: R...
Oil
Silver the cat, Painting, Oil on Canvas
By John Kilduff
Located in Yardley, PA
Painting of my cat Silver. I used a pallet knife to make this, so the painting is very thick. :: Painting :: Impressionist :: This piece comes with an official certificate of authent...
Oil
Arco gas station, Painting, Acrylic on Other
By John Kilduff
Located in Yardley, PA
Painting of a gas station-minimart in Los Angeles. Acrylic on cardboard, wood and wire. :: Painting :: Impressionist :: This piece comes with an official certificate of authenticity ...
Acrylic
Backyard Sunset, Painting, Acrylic on Other
By John Kilduff
Located in Yardley, PA
Plein air painting of my backyard. Acrylic on Cardboard. :: Painting :: Impressionist :: This piece comes with an official certificate of authenticity signed by the artist :: Ready t...
Acrylic
Mini Mall, Painting, Acrylic on Other
By John Kilduff
Located in Yardley, PA
Acrylic on cardboard, wood and wire painting of the mini mall here in Los Angeles. :: Painting :: Impressionist :: This piece comes with an official certificate of authenticity signe...
Acrylic
Strip mall Victory Blvd, Painting, Acrylic on Canvas
By John Kilduff
Located in Yardley, PA
Large acrylic painting of a strip mall on Victory Blvd in Los Angeles. Painting will be shipped rolled in a tube. Will have to re-stretch it. :: Painting :: Impressionist :: This pi...
Acrylic
Kitten in the cactus garden, Painting, Acrylic on Paper
By John Kilduff
Located in Yardley, PA
Acrylic on paper painting of a kitten in the cactus garden. :: Painting :: Impressionist :: This piece comes with an official certificate of authenticity signed by the artist :: Read...
Acrylic
Police pursuit of motorcyclist, Painting, Acrylic on Canvas
By John Kilduff
Located in Yardley, PA
Painting of a police pursuit of a motorcyclist. Acrylic on unstretched canvas. Painting can either be hung as is or could be mounted onto stretchers. Shipped rolled. :: Painting :: I...
Acrylic
Magazine rack at JoAnnes fabric store, Painting, Acrylic on Canvas
By John Kilduff
Located in Yardley, PA
Large acrylic painting of the magazine rack at JoAnnes fabric store. Painting will be shipped rolled. :: Painting :: Impressionist :: This piece comes with an official certificate o...
Acrylic
Silver on screen, Painting, Acrylic on Canvas
By John Kilduff
Located in Yardley, PA
Large acrylic painting of Silver the cat on the window screen looking out the window. Painting is painted to the edge and should be mounted to panel. Though there is enough room to s...
Acrylic
Backyard hollyhocks #2, Painting, Acrylic on Canvas
By John Kilduff
Located in Yardley, PA
Large acrylic painting done in the studio of the hollyhocks in my backyard. Painting shipped rolled. :: Painting :: Impressionist :: This piece comes with an official certificate of...
Acrylic
Eden Canyon view, Painting, Oil on Canvas
By John Kilduff
Located in Yardley, PA
Painting of the view of Eden Canyon in the East Bay off of the 580 freeway overpass. Circa 2010. :: Painting :: Impressionist :: This piece comes with an official certificate of au...
Oil
Silver on Screen, Painting, Acrylic on Canvas
By John Kilduff
Located in Yardley, PA
Painting of my cat Silver on the window screen. I did a larger version of this too. Acrylic on canvas panel. :: Painting :: Impressionist :: This piece comes with an official certifi...
Acrylic
Pink and White Bliss, Oil Painting
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
Loose brushwork and bold palette knife techniques lend an impressionistic quality to this lush bouquet of roses. The rich texture brings the painting to life,...
Oil
Venetian Dusk, Oil Painting
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
The impressionist painting captures the serene beauty of Venice at dusk. A tranquil canal reflects the soft glow of twilight, while flower-filled balconies an...
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
Dusk in Joshua Tree National Park, Oil Painting
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
Mountain deserts have become a source of inspiration for artist Suren Nersisyan. The striking colors and dramatic contrasts at sundown create a vibrant and dy...
Oil
Succulents, Painting, Acrylic on Canvas
By John Kilduff
Located in Yardley, PA
Large acrylic painting of succulents. Painting shipped rolled. :: Painting :: Impressionist :: This piece comes with an official certificate of authenticity signed by the artist :: R...
Acrylic
Point Dume, Malibu, Painting, Watercolor on Paper
By John Kilduff
Located in Yardley, PA
Plein air watercolor painting of Point Dume in Malibu, California. :: Painting :: Impressionist :: This piece comes with an official certificate of authenticity signed by the artist ...
Watercolor
Citygrid, Painting, Oil on Canvas
By John Kilduff
Located in Yardley, PA
Large oil painting of a view overlooking the city grid of Los Angeles. I painted a smaller version that was used in an upcoming movie. :: Painting :: Impressionist :: This piece come...
Oil
Kiva and Hollyhocks, Oil Painting
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
Sunlight bathes a traditional adobe courtyard with a kiva fireplace at the center. Hollyhocks, ristas, and lupine add pops of color against the neutral garden...
Oil
Garden Cherub, Oil Painting
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
A cherub statue and a sliced pear rest among vibrant purple flowers and lush leaves. The warm, earthy soil complements the greenery. Artist Sherri Aldawood pa...
Oil
Blooming Trees, Original Painting
By Janet Dyer
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
Trees burst with charming pink and white leaves under a clear blue sky. They stand beside a pavement, surrounded by vibrant green grass and orange foliage in ...
Acrylic
Lake Champlain Sailing, Original Painting
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
Soft pastel hues flow across the tranquil waters as wispy clouds drift lazily overhead. There’s nothing quite like setting sail on Lake Champlain in Upstate...
Acrylic
View from the Airport Mesa Trail, Oil Painting
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
The horizontal shadows, when paired with the vertical cliffs and wayward grasses, create a pleasantly complex sight on the Airport Mesa Trail in Sedona. The d...
Oil
Green Day, Painting, Oil on Canvas
Located in Yardley, PA
Original acrylic and oil painting on block canvas. No frame required. An original oil and acrylic painting capturing movement and emotion using the human form. :: Painting :: Impr...
Oil
Abundance, Painting, Oil on Canvas
Located in Yardley, PA
Oil painting on block canvas. No frame required. An original oil painting capturing emotion using the human form. :: Painting :: Impressionist :: This piece comes with an official...
Oil
Fleeting, Drawing, Charcoal on Paper
Located in Yardley, PA
Original charcoal drawing on paper by James Shipton My works are heavily influenced by the art work of Degas and Gustav Klimt. My desire is to capture the human form, whilst port...
Charcoal
Observe, Drawing, Charcoal on Paper
Located in Yardley, PA
Original charcoal drawing on paper by James Shipton My works are heavily influenced by the art work of Degas and Gustav Klimt. My desire is to capture the human form, whilst port...
Charcoal
Modesty, Drawing, Charcoal on Paper
Located in Yardley, PA
Original charcoal drawing on paper by James Shipton My works are heavily influenced by the art work of Degas and Gustav Klimt. My desire is to capture the human form, whilst port...
Charcoal
Care, Drawing, Charcoal on Paper
Located in Yardley, PA
Original charcoal drawing on paper by James Shipton My works are heavily influenced by the art work of Degas and Gustav Klimt. My desire is to capture the human form, whilst port...
Charcoal
Protect, Drawing, Charcoal on Paper
Located in Yardley, PA
Original charcoal drawing on paper by James Shipton My works are heavily influenced by the art work of Degas and Gustav Klimt. My desire is to capture the human form, whilst port...
Charcoal
Without Words, Drawing, Charcoal on Paper
Located in Yardley, PA
Original charcoal drawing on paper by James Shipton My works are heavily influenced by the art work of Degas and Gustav Klimt. My desire is to capture the human form, whilst port...
Charcoal
Defy, Drawing, Charcoal on Paper
Located in Yardley, PA
Original charcoal drawing on paper by James Shipton My works are heavily influenced by the art work of Degas and Gustav Klimt. My desire is to capture the human form, whilst port...
Charcoal
Feeling, Drawing, Charcoal on Paper
Located in Yardley, PA
Original charcoal drawing on paper by James Shipton My works are heavily influenced by the art work of Degas and Gustav Klimt. My desire is to capture the human form, whilst port...
Charcoal
Fate, Drawing, Charcoal on Paper
Located in Yardley, PA
Original charcoal drawing on paper by James Shipton My works are heavily influenced by the art work of Degas and Gustav Klimt. My desire is to capture the human form, whilst port...
Charcoal
Mood, Drawing, Charcoal on Paper
Located in Yardley, PA
Original charcoal drawing on paper by James Shipton My works are heavily influenced by the art work of Degas and Gustav Klimt. My desire is to capture the human form, whilst port...
Charcoal
New Focus, Drawing, Charcoal on Paper
Located in Yardley, PA
Original charcoal drawing on paper by James Shipton. The same but different. A ‘New Focus’ Following the breakdown of the human female form, I use the sketches to build and...
Charcoal
Stranded, Drawing, Charcoal on Paper
Located in Yardley, PA
Original charcoal drawing on paper by James Shipton My works are heavily influenced by the art work of Degas and Gustav Klimt. My desire is to capture the human form, whilst port...
Charcoal
Let Me In, Drawing, Charcoal on Paper
Located in Yardley, PA
Original charcoal drawing on paper by James Shipton My works are heavily influenced by the art work of Degas and Gustav Klimt. My desire is to capture the human form, whilst port...
Charcoal
Star Dust, Drawing, Charcoal on Paper
Located in Yardley, PA
Original charcoal drawing on paper by James Shipton. Is everything simply made up of star dust? In which case did we all fall from the stars. Here I use the human form to capture ...
Charcoal
Contradiction, Drawing, Charcoal on Paper
Located in Yardley, PA
Original charcoal drawing on paper by James Shipton My works are heavily influenced by the art work of Degas and Gustav Klimt. My desire is to capture the human form, whilst port...
Charcoal
Taste, Drawing, Charcoal on Paper
Located in Yardley, PA
Original charcoal drawing on paper by James Shipton My works are heavily influenced by the art work of Degas and Gustav Klimt. Here I wanted to focus on the shapes and movements ...
Charcoal
Intimate, Drawing, Charcoal on Paper
Located in Yardley, PA
Original charcoal drawing on paper by James Shipton My works are heavily influenced by the art work of Degas and Gustav Klimt. The original moment of capturing someone’s though...
Charcoal
DonâEt Rush Me!, Drawing, Charcoal on Paper
Located in Yardley, PA
Original charcoal drawing on paper by James Shipton My works are heavily influenced by the art work of Degas and Gustav Klimt. I had fun create this one. It’s all about the mom...
Charcoal
Heartbreak, Drawing, Charcoal on Paper
Located in Yardley, PA
Original charcoal drawing on paper by James Shipton My works are heavily influenced by the art work of Degas and Gustav Klimt. Here I was really trying to create a sense of vulne...
Charcoal
Vulnerability, Drawing, Charcoal on Paper
Located in Yardley, PA
Original charcoal drawing on paper by James Shipton My works are heavily influenced by the art work of Degas and Gustav Klimt. Here I wanted to capture vulnerability. Followin...
Charcoal