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
Paper, Pastel
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
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
1980s Impressionist More Art
Oil, Egg Tempera, Board
Artist Comments
The sun shines bright, filling the sky with fiery colors. Constant TV news rumbles in the background, pushing its chaos into the present. Matters of the planet,...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Acrylic
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
Ivory flowers rise softly from a moody backdrop, while a burst of vibrant orange commands attention. This piece balances boldness and grace, proving that even i...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Early 20th Century Impressionist More Art
Canvas, Oil
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil, Wood Panel
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
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
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
The sun shines on a flower garden, casting a warm glow among the foliage. Soft pink roses bloom against the lush leaves. Gentle brushstrokes and warm tones crea...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Mid-20th Century Impressionist More Art
Canvas, Oil
1980s Impressionist More Art
Oil, Panel
1880s Impressionist More Art
Earthenware, Glaze
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Canvas, Oil
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil, Panel
Artist Comments
Gazing south down the California Coast toward Los Angeles, a dreamy coastal landscape depicts the Central California region. The stunning view encompasses Hal...
21st Century and Contemporary 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
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
Sunflowers bloom in abundance beneath a blue summer sky dotted with puffy clouds. Lush green leaves frame the golden petals, enhancing their vibrancy. The scene...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Acrylic
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil, Wood Panel
Artist Comments
White and umber define a sitted nude female figure. Simplified contours enhance her shape, while gentle brushwork gives softness to her form. The backgroundâ€...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
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 ...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
A charming vintage home nestles among rows of grapevines, surrounded by the golden and green hues of harvest season. Artist Catherine McCargar painted the scene...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Watercolor
Artist Comments
A vibrant hummingbird perches on a branch, its jewel-toned feathers catching the light. The soft, textured strokes create an energetic display of colors. The ...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
A tropical summer unfolds along the banks of a quiet river. Palm trees dot the landscape, their fronds catching the bright sun. The lush foliage reflects on the...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
Warm autumn trees glow against the bright blue sky. Sunlight filters through the park, casting long shadows on the ground. A calming stillness settles over the ...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
Shallow bay waters meet the quiet shoreline. Trees line the edge while rocks dot the foreground. Artist Andres Lopez painted the scene in plein air. His impress...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
A dreamlike mountain vista shrouded in mist and drifting light. Atmospheric layers of fog roll over forested hills and snowy valleys, while beams of soft light ...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
Cafe patrons sit under the shade of umbrellas, avoiding the direct sun while they sip their cortados. The impressionistic strokes capture the warm, inviting a...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Mid-20th Century Impressionist More Art
Oil, Panel
Mid-20th Century Impressionist More Art
Oil
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
Inspired by his travels with his wife, artist Onelio Marrero paints her enjoying a book. They toured the neighboring towns to visit shops and historic sites d...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
Artist Onelio Marrero captures a gentle moment of a Hasidic mother and her child enjoying the surf as the tide rolled in. While out on the New Jersey seashore...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
1930s Impressionist More Art
Canvas, Oil
Artist Comments
A mountain goat and its kid stand tall against the rugged peaks of Glacier Park, their thick fur ruffled by the wind. Sunlight catches on their coats. Behind th...
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
A dirt path cuts between a golden field and the San Francisco Bay, leading to the rolling hills in the distance. Vibrant colors bring warmth to the scenery. Art...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Encaustic
Artist Comments
Bathed in soft golden light, this dreamy painting captures the serene beauty of Lake Como. Gentle reflections ripple across the water as distant villas nestle i...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Late 19th Century Impressionist More Art
Canvas, Oil
Artist Comments
This watercolor captures the quiet beauty of an untouched landscape within the Smoky Mountains. Soft greens and gentle yellows stretch across the field, dotted ...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Watercolor
Artist Comments
Mountains rise with an imposing presence, dominating the evening landscape of Teton National Park. A vibrant treeline in the foreground glows with rich autumn h...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
Tall pine trees stand tall in the foreground, while the ocean waves of Monterey Bay blend into the cloudy sky in the background. Red, yellow, and white flower...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Acrylic
Early 20th Century Impressionist More Art
Oil, Board
Artist Comments
Parisian rooftops stand out with their distinctive charm, making the city's skyline instantly recognizable. The architecture, rich with patina, blends turquoise...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
Soft strokes capture the atmospheric view of Molokini and the ever-changing sky of Maui. The pastel clouds shift constantly above the blue water. Artist Karen E...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
Floral arrangements, porcelain jars, and a lamp create a timeless and elegant still life. Delicate roses and lavender contrast with the sturdy table, while a mi...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Early 20th Century Impressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
A plaza in Valencia glows under the golden hour light, its warm hues capturing the charm of early evening. Restaurants begin to stir after siesta, as locals a...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
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
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
