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.
Early 20th Century Impressionist More Art
Oil, Wood Panel
Artist Comments
Whether it's fall, winter, spring or summer it's always time for some colorful birch! This painting is done with a palette knife, and resonates with a poetic ...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
1930s Impressionist More Art
Oil, Canvas
Artist Comments
Golden light bathes a serene woodland scene. Soft, muted hues blend seamlessly, while subtle textures hint at the depth within the trees. The tonal palette and ...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
1980s Impressionist More Art
Paper, Pastel
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
Artist Karen d'Angeac Mihm paints vibrant sunflower fields, often inspired by Provence, but this time, she found inspiration close to home in Wisconsin. A stu...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Early 20th Century Impressionist More Art
Oil Pastel
Early 20th Century Impressionist More Art
Canvas, Oil
20th Century Impressionist More Art
Oil
2010s Impressionist More Art
Canvas, Linen, Oil
Artist Comments
Artist Yangzi Xu captures the vibrant energy of downtown Chicago as dusk descends over the city. A cyclist glides effortlessly through the illuminated streets...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Early 1900s Impressionist More Art
Canvas, Oil
1990s Impressionist More Art
Oil, Cardboard
Artist Comments
A purple iris blooms against a blue and gray background. Its delicate petals unfold, revealing soft-veined patterns and a yellow patch. Artist Jay Jensen reflec...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Watercolor
Artist Comments
Artist Catherine McCargar painted this land and sky panorama from a mix of photos and memory. It captures a stunning summer evening in Northern California, when...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Watercolor
Artist Comments
A grizzly bear exudes a quiet strength against a soft blue background. Artist Karen Barton used both palette knife and brush to build texture and depth. The res...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
A raccoon stands against a soft blue background, its curious gaze full of life. Artist Karen Barton was inspired by the animal’s charm and cleverness. Using b...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
A white iris blooms against a gray and blue background. Its petals glow with purity, while subtle shadows echo the tones of the surrounding light. For artist Ja...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Watercolor
Artist Comments
A crocus plant blooms in brown soil, its vibrant purple petals contrasting against the earth. Artist Jay Jensen shares that seeing these fragile flowers stirs h...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Watercolor
Artist Comments
A weathered yet sturdy barn stands quietly in a grassy landscape. Artist Judy Mudd captures the regenerative spirit of spring and the enduring rhythm of farm li...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Watercolor
Artist Comments
A quiet street leads through the coastal town of Estepona, Spain, lined with houses resting in shadow. Further in, a sunlit building faces the viewer, its warm ...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
Chickadee birds gracefully fly above a cluster of soft, beautiful peonies. The pale white and pink petals rustle with the breeze, as if responding to the flappi...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
In mid-August, locals and tourists alike soak up the perfect weather in San Sebastian, Spain. They stroll or lounge along the beach, enjoying the warmth and sof...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Linen, Oil
1930s Impressionist More Art
Canvas, Oil
Artist Comments
The artwork captures the essence of a quaint Parisian café. Artist James Nyika's use of color and light brings the scene to life, creating a sense of warmth ...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Watercolor
Artist Comments
A bustling street brims with life as people stroll past rows of brick buildings adorned with elegant architectural details. The painting captures the essence of...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Watercolor
Late 20th Century Impressionist More Art
Oil
19th Century Impressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
A small patch of reeds line the edge of a pond, catching the sun early in the morning. Their golden blades contrast with the deep greens of the surrounding tr...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Acrylic
1980s Impressionist More Art
Watercolor
Artist Comments
Fresh, crisp air overtakes the remnants of fall in this impressionistic painting. The soft, filtered light of sundown paints the riverbanks in golden hues. Caug...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
A pale, winding path curves gently through a grassy expanse. Subtle textures and layered brushwork suggest motion and a soft atmospheric depth. Hues of green, b...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Early 20th Century Impressionist More Art
Oil
Mid-20th Century Impressionist More Art
Masonite, Oil
Mid-20th Century Impressionist More Art
Canvas, Oil
Artist Comments
A person walks down a rainy Manhattan street under a blue umbrella. Glowing storefronts line the sidewalk, adding warmth to the cool, wet surroundings. Inspir...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Mid-20th Century Impressionist More Art
Canvas, Oil
Artist Comments
This still-life painting features a lively bouquet of pink flowers in a vase. Painted with a palette knife, the various blooms carry subtle textures, adding d...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Mid-20th Century Impressionist More Art
Canvas, Oil
Artist Comments
Artist Sri Rao depicts a secluded farm away from the busy streets. A gravel road winds through the lush bushes and quaint farmhouses, g...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Acrylic
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil, Board
Artist Comments
Boats rest gently in the harbor of a quaint fishing village in Nova Scotia. Cozy homes and shacks dot the coastline, their windows glowing warmly in the fadin...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Canvas, Oil
2010s Impressionist More Art
Oil, Cardboard
Artist Comments
The scene captures the powerful movement and elegance of a polo player mid-game. Rich, textured brushstrokes convey the energy and immediacy of the moment. Bold...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Acrylic
Mid-20th Century Impressionist More Art
Masonite, Oil
Late 19th Century Impressionist More Art
Canvas, Oil, Board
1980s Impressionist More Art
Oil, Cardboard
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 ...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
This plein air painting captures a eucalyptus tree shimmering in the warm late afternoon light. Behind an embankment, only the masts of sailboats and the roofli...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
The painting captures a quintessential scene from Provence, where artist Karen d'Angeac Mihm grew up. White-washed houses with red-tiled roofs nestle among lu...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil, Wood Panel
Early 20th Century Impressionist More Art
Oil, Board
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil, Board
Mid-20th Century Impressionist More Art
Canvas, Oil
Mid-20th Century Impressionist More Art
Canvas, Oil
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Canvas, Oil
