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
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 ...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Acrylic
Artist Comments
A thick blanket of snow covers a garden, exposing only tall bushes and grass to the sunlight. A thicket of trees stands in the background, adding brown and gr...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Acrylic
Artist Comments
Drawing inspiration from a boathouse floating on the water at Coal Harbour in Vancouver, artist Maurice Dionne paints this idle watercolor scene. In the foreg...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Watercolor
Artist Comments
Provence in spring is a delightful place to be. Olive trees bloom, cypresses sway gently in the breeze, and the sun casts a warm glow over the landscape. Pain...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Acrylic
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Artist Siyuan Ma presents an impressionist depiction of the Hanging Temple, a famous cultural landmark in China. Its Chinese name takes the character "Xuan" f...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Watercolor
Artist Comments
Gentle waves lap on a quiet beach. The palette knife strokes mimic the soothing motion of the waves, complemented by the softness of the clouds and the wispy ...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
Almond, cherry, and apple trees bloom across a French field in spring. Expressive strokes from a palette knife and brush bring the landscape to life with textur...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Acrylic
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
Golden foliage blankets the forest in this autumn landscape. The vast meadow in the distance echoes the seasonal transition. With the sun hidden behind drifti...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
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A sparrow perches on a snow-dusted branch. The soft and misty background highlights the delicate brown and white of the bird's feathers. Artist Joanie Ford pa...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
Winding trunks weave through dense foliage, depicting an overgrown forest. Hints of the sky peek through the vegetation, introducing new hues to the dominant ...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
With its signature yellow wings edged in black and touched with hints of coral and sky blue, a swallowtail butterfly appears suspended mid-air. Its symmetry a...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
Bright red poppies stretch across an endless field, their fading details adding depth to the scene. Soft purple mountains rise in the distance under a serene ...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Acrylic
Artist Comments
Magic, hidden beauty, a secret story, or brambles tangled along the stream. These repeated but varied patterns of chaos, reflected in the water, resemble an i...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Acrylic
Early 20th Century Impressionist More Art
Canvas, Oil
Artist Comments
Artist Onelio Marrero paints three little girls splashing in the surf. His execution gives evidence of the influence of Sorolla's paintings of similar subject...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Canvas, Oil
Artist Comments
Olive trees fill an orchard in Provence, their leaves stretching towards the sky. Soft streaks of sunlight cast a gentle glow on the ground below. Painted usi...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Acrylic
Late 19th Century Impressionist More Art
Oil, Canvas
Artist Comments
Artist Judy Mackey exhibits a glorious display of the United States flag. "Being an expatriate growing up in a foreign country gave me a deep love for our US ...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Mid-20th Century Impressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
A corner fruit stand in Valencia, Spain, catches the eye with its sunlit yellow awning and vibrant display of seasonal produce. Nestled at the base of a terra...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
This painting draws inspiration from the architecture of quintessential Italian villages. The sunlight accentuates the stone walls and shutters, while a pot o...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
In the heart of Paris, a secluded garden stirs with the morning sun. Vibrant blue, green, and purple blend with a spontaneous burst of magenta and pink wildfl...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
1990s Impressionist More Art
Oil, Cardboard
Artist Comments
Warm sunlight bathes a monastery and lavender fields. Lush green hills rise in the background, framing the peaceful scene. The artwork depicts the Abbey of Se...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
Waves crash onto the shore of the Central California Coast. Soft purple hues from the distant hills create a beautiful backdrop against the sun-kissed cliffs,...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
Set during an evening on Wacker Drive, the artwork offers an atmospheric view of Chicago, featuring the iconic Tribune Tower and surrounding buildings. The st...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
Inspired by the pictures sent by his wife, artist David Thelen depicts the captivating allure of the Appalachian Trail. A sturdy branch dances with the surrou...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
Artist Shela Goodman presents a view of an old swinging bridge over a quiet river. The image plays with the viewer's imagination and challenges them with their personal insight. "The wonder of what is on the other side of the tree and what may be in the distance," says Shela. She skillfully balances the relationship between light and shadow to depict the depth and dimensions of the scene.
About the Artist
Words that describe this painting: bridge, landscape, river, tree, fog, mist, riverbank, water, impressionism, oilpaint, perspective, impressionism, nature, oil painting, brown
Bridge Over the River...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
During a trip to London, artist Onleio Marrero explored the city's wonderful sites. On one of his strolls along the Thames, he noticed the neo-gothic fountain...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
Artist Elizabeth Garat has always felt an affinity with trees. She came upon this view on a long walk during the golden hour in Ashland, Oregon. A gentle bree...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
While visiting the United Kingdom, artist Onelio Marrero explored the Irish National Stud Farm, known for breeding thoroughbred horses. The farm boasts breath...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
White blossoming trees grace an orchard in Provence, France. Painted with a brush and palette knife, the composition conveys their fleeting beauty. Their flow...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Acrylic
Artist Comments
As low-lying clouds blanket the surrounding hills, artist Onelio Marrero captures the tranquil allure of the Glendalough Monastery in Ireland on a rainy day. ...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
The fiery hues of the autumn trees contrast beautifully with the cool tones of the stream. The swift course of the water distorts the reflection of the gently...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Acrylic
Artist Comments
An aerial view reveals a picturesque landscape of the South of France, with verdant greenery and farmland hugging a winding switchback road. While a zigzag pa...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Acrylic
Mid-20th Century Impressionist More Art
Canvas, Oil
Artist Comments
A scenic view from Route 80 in Ohio displays the dynamics between light and simple architectural elements. Amidst the surrounding trees, the sun-struck walls ...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Acrylic
Mid-20th Century Impressionist More Art
Canvas, Oil
Artist Comments
Artist Onelio Marrero presents an impressionist piece exploring ponds, koi, and goldfish—part of his ongoing series focusing on freshwater fauna. "Koi and Goldfish are considered lucky because, despite their bright colors attracting predators, they have useful survival instincts," shares Onelio. These fish take advantage of reflections of the sky and trees on the water's surface to hide from predators. Onelio capitalizes on the effects of the clear sky and silhouetted trees reflected on the pond to partially mask the exotic fish.
About the Artist
Artist Onelio Marrero paints impressionist city scenes of everyday life. He captures the romanticism of New York City, from the picturesque fountains in Central Park to a glistening city street on a rainy afternoon. He creates a sense of nostalgia and intimacy with his work, offering the feeling that you have visited this particular scene before. “Each play of light, each texture, and each movement of a figure can have a captivating effect on me,†says Onelio. He studied at The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art where he mastered discerning color and values, giving his work a more spontaneous appearance. Onelio’s work is an appreciation for beauty in all of its greatest forms; nature, art, and people.
Words that describe this painting: koi, goldfish, water, pond, lake, swim, reflection, liquid, rocks, pebbles, animal, oilpaint, impressionism, impressionism, animals, oil painting, green
Hidden Gems...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
This painting shows a scenic view of northern New Jersey. Along the road, autumn trees cast shadows on the ground, while sunlit grass sheds warmth on the land...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Acrylic
Artist Comments
Artist Colette Wirz Nauke paints a bird roosting on a tree branch. Purple and violet flowers envelop the trunks and branches, highlighting the beauty of the b...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Acrylic
1920s Impressionist More Art
Canvas, Oil
Early 1900s Impressionist More Art
Canvas, Oil
Artist Comments
With soothing blues and greens, a tranquil scene unfolds from a marsh on a sunny day. The water reflects the bright sky and passing clouds. Painted with a bru...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Acrylic
Artist Comments
Amid the verdant landscape, a white tree blossoms in spring, with distant red flowers adding a lively touch to the scene. The painting adopts an impressionist...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Acrylic
Artist Comments
This painting captures the tranquility of a Los Angeles neighborhood on a cold, quiet evening. Locals retreat to their homes as the sun sets, happily savoring...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil, Board
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'...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Acrylic
Artist Comments
Artist Onelio Marrero paints an endearing moment of two young girls having a slumber party. They are reading in a dimly lit room,...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
Artist Carey Parks depicts three kids standing outside a suburban neighborhood. She uses an old family photo to capture the essence...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Acrylic
Artist Comments
Artist Nava Lundy paints a young girl flying a bright yellow kite on a cloudy day. The impasto texture of the ethereal sky builds atmospheric depth. Nava aptl...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Acrylic
Artist Comments
Low clouds stretch across the evening sky and mirror perfectly on the lake's surface. Shades of purple and blue deepen into gray, signaling the arrival of night...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Watercolor
Artist Comments
The sky shines a brilliant blue on these rare warm January days. Sunlight bathes the landscape, casting shadows from the trees. Patches of golden grass peek thr...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Watercolor
Mid-20th Century Impressionist More Art
Canvas, Oil
Artist Comments
Artist Shela Goodman presents a scenic path enveloped by autumnal foliage. In her travels, Shela is always fascinated with the tunnels that trees create. "Not knowing when you entered where you may be when you come out the other side," says Shela. The piece captures the majesty of the season with festive colors and energetic paintwork.
About the Artist
Words that describe this painting: autumn, tunnel, trees, fall, road, season, path, woods, forest...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
The beach in San Sebastian, Spain, is a chaotic paradise. People fill the sand and water, walking around to show off their stylish beachwear, and playing betwee...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
1990s Impressionist More Art
Oil, Cardboard
1870s Impressionist More Art
Canvas, Oil
