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.
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Canvas, Oil
Artist Comments
A road stretches toward the horizon, flanked by wide open fields under an expansive sky. Deep blue clouds gather in the distance, hinting at a refreshing rain o...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Acrylic
Artist Comments
A vibrant field of wildflowers and poppies stretches across the landscape, basking in the golden light of early morning. Soft pastel hues fill the sky, gently...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
Living by a lake provides artist Karen d'Angeac Mihm with endless inspiration, as the landscape transforms with each season. Every day offers a new perspectiv...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
The lake in Wisconsin remains beautiful even in winter, its frozen surface turning white as snow accumulates. In the evening, the icy expanse reflects soft bl...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
Using a palette knife, artist Janet Dyer paints a rural landscape in rich, jewel-like tones. A cloudy sky softens the light, revealing layered colors that shi...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Acrylic
Artist Comments
A tiny beach on Maui offers just enough space for a few painters or beachgoers to settle in. The breeze gently sweeps the tree and pushes the waves between the ...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil, Panel
Artist Comments
Shadowed trees line a serene river, their reflections capturing the soft, warm hues of a sunset. The sky shifts from pastel pinks and oranges to a calming blue....
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
Artist Tara Zalewsky-Nease reimagines the classic Old Master’s study of a pewter vase, infusing it with her lush, gestural style. A garlic clove resting on th...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
Warm morning light bathes the desert of Big Bend National Park, casting a golden glow over the landscape. The iconic Mule Ear Peaks rise prominently from the de...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
Artist Jennifer Ross presents a brown bird perched over its three eggs. "A bird's nest is the universal symbol of hope," says Jenni...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Acrylic
Artist Comments
Pink and yellow tulips bloom under the bright sunlight, their green leaves reaching upward. Small clouds drift above the hill, completing the serene springtime ...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Acrylic
Artist Comments
A solitary, weathered cabin stands quietly in a vast, open desert. Bare trees stretch upward, while the ground lies blanketed in snow. Stark black and white ton...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
A tranquil seascape captures the golden glow of sunset as it reflects across tidal pools and wet sand. Soft waves ripple toward the horizon, while distant islet...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
The sun filters through a grove of trees, casting cool shadows on the ground. Brown, green, and pale green trunks provide varying visual points, creating quiet ...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Acrylic
Artist Comments
The colors of the sky shifted quickly during an evening walk, prompting artist Benjamin Thomas to capture its marmalade appeal. Bright orange and pastel pink cl...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Acrylic
2010s Impressionist More Art
Canvas, Oil
Mid-20th Century Impressionist More Art
Canvas, Oil
Early 20th Century Impressionist More Art
Canvas, Oil
Artist Comments
This impressionist painting invites a sense of quiet mystery. Artist Faye Vander Veer uses a muted palette with closely related values, allowing the warm sunlig...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
Snow covers the landscape, painting the birch trees and soil white. Drawing from quiet, reflective walks in the woods, artist Valerie Berkely captures this sere...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
Spring blooms brightly on the Edwards Plateau, northwest of San Antonio in the Texas Hill Country. A meadow bursts with yellow, red, and orange flowers, while o...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Acrylic
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil, Wood Panel
Artist Comments
A solitary, weathered cabin stands on the shore, its peeling paint catching the light of a pastel sunset. Neglect whispers from its broken windows. The scene is...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Acrylic
Artist Comments
Green, orange, and red foliage capture the essence of autumn on a hillside, while the stream reflects the moody sky above. Expressive brushstrokes convey move...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Acrylic
Artist Comments
One summer morning, artist Andres Lopez visits a quiet natural sanctuary in South Florida. Hoping to connect with nature, he stumbles upon three flamingos movin...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
This impressionist painting is part of a series by artist Onelio Marrero, exploring craftsmen at work in their environments. Within this interior scene, Oneli...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
A sunlit meadow bursts with vibrant orange and yellow wildflowers, filling the foreground with warmth. A towering leafy oak surrounded by lush trees stands prou...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
High stone seawalls line parts of the New Jersey shoreline, where tides and surges deposit an array of natural and manmade artifacts. In this scene, a young gir...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
In 2023, artist Onelio Marrero began a series of oil sketches featuring men painting buildings high above city sidewalks. Based on one of these studies, this ...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
Tree-studded hills and valleys in California glow under the summer sun. Dramatic shadows in deep blues and purples dot the golden grass, creating a striking c...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Watercolor
Artist Comments
Gentle waves roll onto a sandy shore beneath a cloud-filled sky. Soft, impressionistic brushstrokes blend cool blues, greens, and grays, creating a serene, atmo...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Acrylic
Artist Comments
In this tonal landscape, artist Benjamin Thomas employs contrasting hues to evoke a vibrant scene. Using a palette knife instead of brushes, he layers and blend...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Acrylic
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
A vineyard leads to a rustic cottage nestled among lush trees. Sunlight filters through the branches, casting dappled shadows onto the winding path. The soft an...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Watercolor
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
In this interior study, artist David Thelen explores the interplay of shadow and structure. A restrained palette of grays and soft blues emphasizes line and tex...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
The painting depicts a quintessential view of Portland, Maine's Old Port. Fishing boats are moored in the harbor, their reflections dancing on the serene blue...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
Autumn trees surround a serene farm pond, their leaves reflecting on the surface. The sun shimmers on the water, adding brilliance to the scene. Expressive stro...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Acrylic
Artist Comments
Artist Stanislav Sidorov captures a couple walking in a fairytale-looking town. The street light accentuates the building's medieval details and casts a drama...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
An abundance of sunflowers blooms across a sprawling field. Their golden petals glow beneath the summer sun. Towering mountains rise in the distance, as the mis...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Acrylic
Artist Comments
Coastal Davenport, California, comes alive with the essence of the Pacific coast in artist Lisa Elley's impressionist seascape. Rugged cliffs meet the gentle ...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
Bright yellow daffodils sit in a green glass, their vibrant petals exuding freshness. The fabric floral background adds to the liveliness of the scene. The comp...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Acrylic
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Canvas, Oil
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
Artist Comments
Thick, expressive brushstrokes depict a sunny day on the California coast in this impasto painting. Palm trees sway over a sandy beach, with distant mountains r...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
Artist Joanie Fords captures the beauty of Tucson, Arizona in this pastel artwork. Soft, glowing light filters through the terrain, contrasting the lush green c...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Pastel
Artist Comments
A beautiful bobcat rests atop the petroglyph-covered wall of Toquima Cave. Its stance and intense gaze reflect a keen awareness. Lights emphasize the feline's...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
2010s Impressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
A winding country road stretches into the distance, surrounded by vibrant autumn trees. The path narrows and fades into the horizon, drawing the eye deeper into...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Acrylic
Artist Comments
Three birds dip their feet in a stream, with the larger two closely watching the smallest one. Leaves on slender stems surround the small flock, adding a touc...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Acrylic
Artist Comments
The artwork captures a quiet moment along a busy harbor, where the steady presence of a tall sailboat anchors the scene. In the distance, brick buildings and sm...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Watercolor
Artist Comments
Artist Warren Keating captures a scene from an overhead perspective. A figure focuses intently on their phone, fully absorbed in the moment. Vibrant, sweeping b...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
Artist Onelio Marrero enjoys spending time with his family at the New Jersey shore. In this painting, his wife frolics in the shallow surf with two of their g...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
A traveler sits on the edge of a fountain, resting under the shade. Nearby, a lady crossing the street seems also to be seeking refuge from the sun. Shaded sp...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
The cafes of Puente la Reina are lively before the siesta. Sunlight filters through lush green trees, casting dappled shadows across a bustling sidewalk. Warm...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
A trail winds through trees, drawing the eye toward distant water. Verdant lands emerge in the distance while pale violet hills glow under a peach-hued sky. Art...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
