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.
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Artist Joanie Ford channels her love for sunrises and sunsets into this piece. Observing the shifting colors reflected on clouds and in the atmosphere, she docu...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Pastel
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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
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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
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A cherub statue and a sliced pear rest among vibrant purple flowers and lush leaves. The warm, earthy soil complements the greenery. Artist Sherri Aldawood pa...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
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A macaw captivates with its piercing eyes and vibrant feathers. Inspired by her travel to Belize, artist Joanie Ford captures the vibrant essence of wildlife th...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Pastel
Late 19th Century Impressionist More Art
Canvas, Oil, Board
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Canvas, Oil
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A tapas restaurant comes into view, a place for locals and tourists alike to relish the pleasures of food and drinks. The warm...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
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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
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A rustic white barn stands in quiet solitude, its weathered walls telling a story of the past. A dirt path winds toward a misty, atmospheric backdrop. The sof...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Watercolor
2010s Impressionist More Art
Canvas, Oil
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The winter lake effect on the lowlands of St. Lawrence County, near Watertown, New York, produces heavy snowfalls. A thick layer of snow blankets the field an...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
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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
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Windswept cypress trees lean along the coast near Carmel, California. Distant water merges with the sky, blending their shades of blue, while touches of purpl...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Acrylic
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A peaceful sunset descends over Vancouver Island in Canada. Energetic brushstrokes and muted colors convey drifting clouds and distant mountains. Vibrant yet mo...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Acrylic
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The horizontal shadows, when paired with the vertical cliffs and wayward grasses, create a pleasantly complex sight on the Airport Mesa Trail in Sedona. The d...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
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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
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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
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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 ...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
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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
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Artist Faye Vander Veer captures the majesty of Notre Dame Cathedral at dusk in this evocative painting. She took the reference photograph long before the devas...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
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Cobblestone streets climb toward an old elementary school in historic Church Hill, Richmond, Virginia. The bright sky contrasts with the warm brick architecture...
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Acrylic
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Artist Onelio Marrero depicts a bright and airy greenhouse in the New York Botanical Gardens. "The couple introduced me and my wife to this lovely place," sha...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
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Artist Jonelle Summerfield beautifully captures a quintessential view of Sedona's red rocks. The contrasting lush greenery enhances the warm landscape. The ru...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
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Painted from life, a pink hyacinth emerges from a clay pot. Over several days, its blossoms gradually unfurl, revealing fresh petals. The leaves transition from...
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Acrylic
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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...
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Acrylic
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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
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After seeing photographs and numerous depictions of the famous Motif No. 1, artist Faye Vander Veer went to Rockport, Massachusetts to experience its vibrant ...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
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Much of artist Benjamin Thomas's work is rooted in memory and mistakes rather than direct observation of life. After learning from his painting mishaps, he no...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Acrylic
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The sun emerges from behind a veil of clouds as pastel hues fill the sky, reflecting softly on the calm sea below. As demonstrated by this scene, artist Joanie ...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
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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
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil, Board
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Soft clouds drift across the sky, setting a calm backdrop for a river that stretches into the distance. Along its banks, trees reflect gracefully in the water, ...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
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The artwork presents a lively arrangement of flowers, each petal infused with warmth and color. A hummingbird hovers on a bloom while a ladybug lingers on a lea...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
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This seascape captures a fleeting moment at Mandalay Beach, where the day yields to the beauty of dusk. A burst of light breaks through the clouds, illuminating...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
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Golden grass sweeps across the foreground, leading into a cluster of trees transitioning into autumn colors. The play of light and shadow creates a sense of dep...
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Acrylic
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A sweeping view of rolling hills showcases rural fields divided into sections of different crops in the distance. Closer to the foreground, the landscape beco...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Acrylic
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Sunlight bathes a traditional adobe courtyard with a kiva fireplace at the center. Hollyhocks, ristas, and lupine add pops of color against the neutral garden...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
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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...
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Oil
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Artist Faye Vander Veer presents an old white shingled farmhouse with a tin roof. The piece evokes a strong sense of nostalgia that reminds of simpler times b...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
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Birch trees stand tall with thick texture, their trunks marked by expressive strokes. Flowers bloom densely in the foreground while a reflective pond winds in...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
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Artist Onelio Marrero depicts two carefree children playing in the surf. Part of a series of summer paintings that explores the joyful spirit of youth. His ex...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
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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
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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
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Wisconsin's lakes transform with each season, offering endless inspiration. Each month brings unique light, colors, and textures, creating a constantly shifti...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
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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
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Cypress and pine trees frame a serene view of a cove facing the Pacific Ocean. The beach shimmer in the distance as wisps of fog lift into the blue sky. Bold ...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Acrylic
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A river gorge reflects the calm colors of the expansive sky filled with soft, billowy clouds. Distant hills lining the horizon fade into mist. A dreamy atmosp...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
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Flowers bloom vibrantly beneath the windows as the Mediterranean sun highlights the character of the quaint stone walls and shutters. The composition captures...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
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The low winter sun shines through an aspen grove. Snow blankets the ground, turning the world into a quiet expanse of blue and white. Each step crunches beneath...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Watercolor
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Tall trees with lush green foliage create an archway over a narrow waterway. A small boat with a blue hull docks along the water, adding a focal point to the ...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
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Mountain deserts have become a source of inspiration for artist Suren Nersisyan. The striking colors and dramatic contrasts at sundown create a vibrant and dy...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
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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
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Sunlight filters through lush foliage, casting dappled light on the river in Estella, Spain. Earthy tones define the rustic buildings lining the riverbank whi...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
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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...
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Acrylic
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Trees burst with charming pink and white leaves under a clear blue sky. They stand beside a pavement, surrounded by vibrant green grass and orange foliage in ...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Acrylic
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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...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
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One of artist Tara Zalewsky-Nease's favorite genres is the kitchen still life. A prolific cook and painter, she creates compositions of singular ingredients, ca...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
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Fiery colors light up the sky as the sun sets over calm water. When asked about his process, artist Benjamin Thomas shared that creating this piece took time. H...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Acrylic
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Bright sunlight filters through the leaves of a towering live oak tree, casting dappled shadows on the winding path below. Surrounding foliage creates a rich ...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Acrylic
