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
This painting captures the setting sun over a game trail in Rockaway, NJ, artist Onelio Marrero’s hometown. A cold snap coated the ground, highlighting the ...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
Orange and gold foliage harmonize with the auburn and maroon hues of the forest, creating a tranquil scene through an analogous color palette. The composition...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
Colorful flowers spill from a pitcher, with lush green foliage serving as the backdrop. The quick, energetic brushstrokes capture the rapidly changing light. ...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
Inspired by a family trip to the New Jersey shore, artist Onelio Marrero painted two boys braving the powerful incoming waves. He highlights the turbulent mov...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Canvas, Acrylic
1880s Impressionist More Art
Canvas, Oil
Early 1900s Impressionist More Art
Canvas, Oil
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...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Acrylic
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Late 19th Century Impressionist More Art
Oil, Canvas
Early 20th Century Impressionist More Art
Canvas, Oil
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 ...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
A peeled orange bursts with color against a dynamic blue background. The bold brushstrokes create a lively dance of texture, capturing the zest and freshness ...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Acrylic
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A woman stands with her back to the viewer, gracefully adjusting her raven hair. She wears a flowing red dress that contrasts beautifully with the soft backgrou...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
Artist Onelio Marrero lives just minutes from the New Jersey shore, where he and his wife enjoy long walks along the beach. In the quieter winter months, the ...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
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...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
The scene features vast open fields, mountains, and a horizon. Distant rolling sky and sweeping clouds capture the beauty of changing weather patterns. Shrubs...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
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...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
A lighthouse stands on a grassy point, overlooking the tranquil waters of Admiralty Inlet. Its sturdy white walls and vibrant red roofs contrast with the blue...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Watercolor
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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...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
Sunlight filters through lush foliage, casting dappled light on the river in Estella, Spain. Earthy tones define the rustic buildings lining the riverbank whi...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
Lush green lily pads and pink water lilies float calmly on a pond. Gentle ripples reflect the early morning sunlight, with the mist adding to the glow. Painte...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
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 pain...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
Near artist Onelio Marrero's home, several ponds adorned with water lilies unfailingly captivate his attention. He delights in observing the transformative ef...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
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...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
Under the glow of a lamp, a venerable professor attentively reads and evaluates student submissions. The composition is one of artist Onelio Marrero's many port...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
Golden foliage blankets the forest floor while a stream gently flows through rocky terrain. The artwork is part of artist Onelio Marrero's series that explore...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
The scene captures the vibrant waterfront of a coastal town in San Sebastian, Spain. Boats rest peacefully in the harbor wh...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
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Birch trees stand tall with thick texture, their trunks marked by expressive strokes. Flowers bloom densely in the foreground while a reflective pond winds in...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
A majestic pronghorn antelope buck sits at the heart of a darkening prairie. The rich, warm tones and subtle background details emphasize the animal’s disti...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
"Every fall season, I embark on a sojourn to the Eastern Sierra Nevada mountains to soak in the changing fall colors of the birch and quaking aspens," says ar...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
Colorful flowers spill from a pitcher, with lush green foliage serving as the backdrop. The quick, energetic brushstrokes capture the rapidly changing light. ...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
Two jewel-toned hummingbirds engage in a delicate interaction as they search for a place to land. Their vibrant green and red feathers stand out against the d...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
Narrow train tracks run from Santa Fe to Lamy, New Mexico, accompanied by a hiking path that runs alongside. Early spring light adds warmth to the scene, whil...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Acrylic
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 ...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Acrylic
Early 2000s Impressionist More Art
Tapestry
Artist Comments
Bluebonnet flowers grow on the side of the road on a hilltop plateau near Carta Valley, Texas. Their petals show a vibrant contrast to the lush greens of the ...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Acrylic
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...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
Two charming Appaloosa foals nuzzle one another in a tender display of friendship. Their speckled coats glimmer under a soft, diffused light. The pale blue ba...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
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...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
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...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
Lily pads spread across the water, their vigorous strokes contrasting with the softer details in the distance. As the early morning mist dissipates, the pond ...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
A playful interaction between shapes and colors in nature unfolds in this fantastical landscape. Two predominant areas of light create a silhouette, casting o...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
Two friends discuss their current life events over wine and tapas on a weekend night in Seville, Spain. Warm, earthy tones dominate the scene and reflect the ...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
From this perch on one of Sedona's trails, one can view neighboring cliffs and the lush green valleys in between. The surrounding landscape showcases the vibr...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
The scene features vast open fields, mountains, and a horizon. Distant rolling sky and sweeping clouds capture the beauty of changing weather patterns. Shrubs...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
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 ...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
A sandy path leads toward the dunes and water, with vivid greenery contrasting against the soft blues above. Painted with a palette knife and brush, the artwo...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Acrylic
Artist Comments
Soft hues of green and brown blend together in a serene wetland scene. Lilies float gently on the calm river, while clusters of bushes and grasses thrive alon...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
"I worked to expound upon the beauty of magnificent colors at dusk," says artist Mary Pratt. In this painting, she captures the breathtaking backwater sunset...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
Light and shadow play harmoniously in the courtyard of Museo de Bellas Artes in Seville, Spain. Foliage basks in the sun, while the fountain stays cool in the...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
Two pilgrims walk the trail along the Camino de Santiago toward Fromista, Spain. The road winds through scenic farmland, with trees offering shade from the mi...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
1990s Impressionist More Art
Oil, Cardboard
1990s Impressionist More Art
Oil, Cardboard
Artist Comments
Golden light filters through the forest canopy, casting dappled shadows along a winding path. Leaves transform into shades of orange, celebrating nature’s f...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
A single-car garage in a charming neighborhood stands untouched, its doors unopened for years. Once home to a shiny '32 Oldsmobile, it now hides unknown treas...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Linen, Oil
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...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Acrylic
Artist Comments
The sun peaks through a break in the clouds, as it rises over the pastel-hued sea. This painting is on a gallery wrapped canvas, with warm black sides and co...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
Artist Onelio Marrero paints a raft of ducks swimming in a pond surrounded by spring foliage. "I have been observing ducks in their habitats in order to paint...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
"I worked to expound upon the beauty of magnificent colors at dusk," says artist Mary Pratt. In this painting, she captures the breathtaking backwater sunset...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
Windswept trees connect the sky and earth, embodying the energy and light of nature. The composition celebrates the vibrant, interconnected landscape, blendin...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
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...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
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...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
Orange and gold foliage harmonize with the auburn and maroon hues of the forest, creating a tranquil scene through an analogous color palette. The composition...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
A thick carpet of lily pads and reeds covers a quiet pond, leaving only a patch of blue water to peek through. The lush greens across the scene create a calmi...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Early 20th Century Impressionist More Art
Canvas, Oil
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...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
A winding path leads through a vibrant green meadow, with rugged mountains rising beneath a dramatic sky. Inspired by a summer trip to Ashcroft for plein air ...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
Bright and colorful flowers bloom in the foreground. Artist Rebecca Klementovich notes that each year, she and her painter friends hunt for the most impressive lupine fields...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Acrylic
