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 Brighter Corner, Oil Painting
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
On a beautiful sunny morning, sunlight strikes the corner of a quiet stone house. A palm tree rises on the side, its fronds casting delicate shadows across the ...
Oil
Flight, Original Painting
By Sally Adams
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
A red bird soars across a white background. Loose watercolor washes shape its wings and suggest a fluttering motion. The freedom of the medium lets artist Sally...
Watercolor
Zinnias in a Blue Mug, Original Painting
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
Colorful zinnias fill a bright blue mug, each bloom depicted with loose strokes. The vibrant palette and relaxed brushwork create a lively, fresh atmosphere. Ar...
Acrylic
Reflecting, reflecting on the lake, Painting, Oil on Canvas
By Gary Westall
Located in Yardley, PA
Time to reflect, at Kellersee in Holstein Switzerland in Schleswig-Holstein. The inspiration for this painting, my first since I've been able to devote myself to painting full-time,...
Oil
Potomac Highlands WV Barn in Autumn, Oil Painting
By Doug Cosbie
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
This artwork captures the hot, dry atmosphere of the Potomac Highlands in West Virginia. Rustic barns and copper-colored fields stand beneath a cloudless, viv...
Oil
Mother's Day Rush, Oil Painting
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
Artist Onelio Marrero captures a lively moment inside a flower shop at Philadelphia’s Reading Terminal Market, just before Mother’s Day. Surrounded by a daz...
Oil
Sweethearts, Original Painting
By Mary Pratt
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
Loose, gestural brushstrokes and a luminous palette of crimson, ochre, and violet span this charming piece. Featuring a pair of cardinals, artist Mary Pratt inf...
Acrylic
Light Through the Trees, Original Painting
By Janet Dyer
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
Tall trees fill the landscape, their trunks adding vertical elements to the scene. Dense foliage filters the sun, creating patches of light and shadow on the gr...
Acrylic
"Bridge Over the Neckar, Town of Heidelberg" - Original Oil Painting on Canvas
Located in Soquel, CA
"Bridge Over the Neckar, Town of Heidelberg" - Original Oil Painting on Canvas A beautiful German landscape, by American painter, Betty Brenner (1922-2016), captures the Karl Theodor Bridge and its reflection. Commonly known as the Old Bridge (Alte Brücke), it is an arch bridge in Heidelberg that crosses the Neckar river. It connects the Old City with the eastern part of the Neuenheim district of the city on the opposite bank. The current bridge, made of Neckar sandstone and the ninth built on the site, was constructed in 1788 by Elector Charles Theodore, and is one of the best-known landmarks and tourist destinations in Heidelberg. Brenner, Betty (American, 1922-2016) - Raised in Washington, Brenner attended Cornish School...
Canvas, 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
A Moment in Time, Painting, Acrylic on Canvas
Located in Yardley, PA
This original, impressionistic landscape painting is stretched on a 1.5" deep gallery wrap canvas. Only the finest professional quality acrylic paints were used in the creation of t...
Acrylic
As the Sun Sets, Oil Painting
Located in San Francisco, CA
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 ...
Oil
Sedona Trail, Original Painting
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
A trail near Sedona’s airport reveals striking red rock formations and distant mesas. Gnarled trees scatter along the path, evoking a desert landscape that ...
Acrylic
$5,167
Victorian Nineteen Century Rural Sunset Oil Painting of Farmer, wife and Animals
By Joseph Paulman
Located in ludlow, GB
Victorian Nineteenth Century Impressionist Rural Scene with Sun setting on Farmer and his wife and other workers returning home. Farm Workers in the Countryside with their Dog and a...
Oil
Hilltop Blues, Original Painting
By David Forks
Located in San Francisco, CA
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 ...
Acrylic
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
Twilight Solitude, Painting, Acrylic on Canvas
Located in Yardley, PA
Twilight Solitude depicts the serene beauty of Florida's Nature Coast. The golden sunset bathes the marsh in a warm, radiant glow, creating a tranquil atmosphere. The purple clouds o...
Acrylic
Colorful Water Lily, Painting, Acrylic on Canvas
By Hoang Phuong
Located in Yardley, PA
Colorful Water Lily Welcome to the beautiful artwork titled **"Colorful Water Lily"**! This painting is not only a picture of nature but also a symphony of colors, bringing freshn...
Acrylic
Red Sky at Night..., Original Painting
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
While driving west on Bahia Vista Road in Florida, artist Benjamin Thomas, his wife, and their dog, Gaia, noticed the sky turning into a breathtaking display...
Acrylic
At the Louvre, Oil Painting
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
This painting puts the viewer inside one of the main hallways at the Louvre Museum in Paris. The depth draws attention from one figu...
Oil
Contemporary Figurative Impressionist Textured Oil Painting of Children on Beach
Located in ludlow, GB
Modern Impressionist Oil Painting on Canvas of Children playing by the Seaside on a Sandy Beach. It is mounted on stretchers and Signed and Framed. Framed in a simple distressed whit...
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
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
Portrait Orange, Painting, Oil on Paper
Located in Yardley, PA
A oil Painting by Ben Carrivick :: Painting :: Impressionist :: This piece comes with an official certificate of authenticity signed by the artist :: Ready to Hang: No :: Signed: Yes...
Oil
Soft Wind in the Pines, Oil Painting
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
A young man sits under the shade of trees, sketching intently en plein air. The composition features artist Onelio Marerro's former student engaged with natur...
Oil
Obidos Evening, Oil Painting
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
The evening sun bathes the historic village of Obidos, Portugal, in warm golden light, casting soft shadows on whitewashed buildings. A winding cobblestone stre...
Oil
Summer day, Painting, Oil on Canvas
Located in Yardley, PA
The painting "Summer day" captures the peaceful beauty of a river in Croatia, bathed in warm sunlight. The composition highlights charming Mediterranean houses with sunlit terracotta...
Oil
Sea of Wonder, Oil Painting
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
As the sun descends, it leaves a wondrous gift, bathing the seascape in a beautiful array of colors. Yellow and orange hues grace the darkening sky while irid...
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
Endless Light, Painting, Acrylic on Canvas
Located in Yardley, PA
Picture a stunning acrylic painting on a gallery-wrap textured canvas that captures a serene marsh with a breathtaking view of the open ocean. The sky is adorned with vibrant purple ...
Acrylic
Beyond the Blue Sea, Oil Painting
By Lisa Elley
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
Artist Lisa Elley captures the azure coast of Carmel, California, in this textured palette knife painting. Sunlight shimmers across the blue water, while rugged...
Oil
Field of corn with dancing clouds impressionism, Painting, Oil on Canvas
By Gav Banns
Located in Yardley, PA
This is one of the many corn fields that is grown in the rural area where I reside. I enjoyed the way the light was bouncing from the heads of the corn, and the clouds appeared to rh...
Oil
Beyond the Wild Wood, Oil Painting
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
Artist Onelio Marrero visited a place in New Jersey called The Grounds For Sculpture. The gardens there are replete with exotic flora and fauna. Overlapping the...
Oil
Glorious Day, Oil Painting
By Karen Barton
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
Artist Karen Barton draws inspiration from the abundant flora of warmer climates in this abstract impressionist landscape painting. Colorful wildflowers bloom i...
Oil
Pink Roof White Birch, Original Painting
By Ruth LaGue
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
Artist Ruth LaGue presents an impressionist black barn with a prominent pink roof. Inspired by the shapes and patterns of the landscape, she draws the viewer'...
Acrylic
Gathering, Original Painting
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
The sky and clouds can be unpredictable, offering no certain forecast for the weather ahead. A gathering of dark clouds may hint at rain or a refreshing cooln...
Acrylic
Monet's Garden Impression, Oil Painting
By Lisa Elley
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
In her impressionist rendition, artist Lisa Elley portrays Claude Monet's iconic residence in Giverny, France, using a palette kni...
Oil
Peony II, Oil Painting
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
Two soft pink peonies bloom gracefully in a clear glass vase. Their petals and lush green leaves spill outward, contrasting beautifully with the muted backgro...
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
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
Summer All Day, Original Painting
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
This summer scene, captured along a hiking trail in Venice, Florida, embodies the season's radiant glow. The sun casts beautiful clear highlights that enhance...
Acrylic
Morning Fog, Painting, Acrylic on Canvas
Located in Yardley, PA
This original, impressionistic landscape painting is stretched on a 1.5" deep gallery wrap canvas. Only the finest professional quality acrylic paints were used in the creation of t...
Acrylic
Wacker Drive in the Rain, Oil Painting
By Yangzi Xu
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
A street in Chicago comes alive on a rainy afternoon. The wet pavement reflects the city lights, creating a shimmering effect as cars and pedestrians move thr...
Oil
Emergent Reeds, Oil Painting
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
Lush trees frame a serene pond, where the water reflects the vivid sky and its fluffy white clouds. Lily pads float gently on the surface, adding a touch of g...
Oil
Coastal scene, Painting, Oil on Canvas
Located in Yardley, PA
The painting depicts a tranquil coastal scene. Two sailboats with white sails are floating on a calm sea. One sailboat is situated closer to the foreground, on the left of the image,...
Oil
Roofs of the City, Paris, Oil Painting
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
Parisian rooftops stand out with their distinctive charm, making the city's skyline instantly recognizable. The architecture, rich with patina, blends turquoise...
Oil
Spring mood oil/cardboard, 42x52 cm
Located in Riga, LV
Spring mood oil/cardboard, 42x52 cm
Oil, Cardboard
Midwestern Lake, Original Painting
By Janet Dyer
Located in San Francisco, CA
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...
Acrylic
Language of Petals, Original Painting
By Nava Lundy
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
A vibrant floral arrangement whispers memory and emotion. Loose, expressive brushwork and a softened background allow each flower to breathe with quiet energy. ...
Acrylic
$3,807
Late Afternoon Light Oil Painting, original Impressionist Landscape, 90x120 cm
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 ...
Canvas, Oil
Country Stroll, Original Painting
By Patty Phan
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
Two figures stand near an open doorway of a rustic house. The summer sun casts bright light and soft shadows onto the scene. Artist Patty Phan depicts her Europ...
Watercolor
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
Santa Fe Plaza at Sunset, Oil Painting
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
In his signature style, artist Warren Keating draws inspiration from a character he saw on a Santa Fe Plaza restaurant balcony. Using perspective and textural...
Oil
Cloudy Sky, Cotswolds, Original Painting
By Janet Dyer
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
The rolling Cotswold hills in England blend with the misty sky. Painted with a brush and palette knife, the rich strokes capture the depth and lushness of the f...
Acrylic
Karavostasi beach, Painting, Oil on Canvas
Located in Yardley, PA
Immerse yourself in the tranquil beauty of "Karavostasi Beach," an original oil painting that captures a serene seascape. A small red boat bobs gently in the center of a vividly blue...
Oil
Hues of Fall, Oil Painting
By Lisa Elley
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
Artist Lisa Elley paints a kaleidoscopic autumnal landscape, vibrant with spirited flecks from her palette knife. Using her signature style, Lisa applies impasto trees with thick texture and gentle movement. The foliage sways with energy, suggesting a beautiful fall day in the mountains with the colorful changing leaves on display.
About the Artist
Artist Lisa Elley produces sweeping impressionist views and rich geographies with lush textures. Growing up on a little farm in New Zealand surrounded by rolling green, she became greatly influenced by her surroundings. This instilled a remarkable ingenuity in her leading her to pursue a fine arts degree at the University of Auckland. Passionate about experiencing new things, she moved to London, New York, Florida, and ultimately the San Francisco Bay Area, where she now resides. She works at her studio inside an old cannery in San Jose with perfect natural light, 30-foot ceilings, and infinite possibilities. She cultivates her skillful command with a palette that allows her to maneuver her artistic blade with fluidity. “I am drawn to them over brushes as they create an amazing sense of movement with the beautiful texture they evoke,†shares Lisa. An award-winning artist, her works have been represented by galleries all over the globe and have also been featured in distinguished publications. Lisa savors the quality time she spends with her family during her free time.
Words that describe this painting: autumn, forest...
Oil
Trees in the Park, Original Painting
By Janet Dyer
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
Autumn starts early in a suburban park. A ray of sunlight illuminates the landscape, casting a warm glow on the trees and grass. Painted with a palette knife an...
Acrylic
Middle Way, Original Painting
By Janet Dyer
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
A road cuts through a lush orchard, leading to a vast green field in the distance. Artist Janet Dyer discovered this tranquil place while driving in the Frenc...
Acrylic
Gondolas in Venice, Painting, Oil on Canvas
Located in Yardley, PA
An original oil painting capturing the quiet charm of Venice with its iconic gondolas resting on calm green water. Painted using brushes and palette knife in the impasto technique, t...
Oil
Goldfinch in a Tangle of Sunflowers, Original Painting
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
A goldfinch balances on a sunflower head. Its brilliant yellow-green features contrast with the flowers' warm tones, while the gradient purple background comple...
Acrylic