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 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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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
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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 majestic white horse stands gracefully in a vibrant field of red poppies, the light of the setting sun filtering through its mane. Slihouetted trees rise in t...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
Artist Onelio Marrero and his wife enjoy having a home near the New Jersey shore, where they can spend time with family on the beach. Onelio especially loves wa...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
1920s Impressionist More Art
Canvas, Oil
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil, Board
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
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil, Board
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil, Board
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
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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
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil, Board
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil, Board
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil, Board
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil, Board
Artist Comments
Bright sunlight dances on the serene pond, reflecting the vibrant greens of the surrounding foliage. Gentle ripples add a sense of movement to the tranquil sc...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
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
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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
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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
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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...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Acrylic
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Artist Fernando Garcia presents a rustic landscape of a midwestern field. He highlights the inclement weather on the plains as the dominating element. "It is ...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Acrylic
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Artist Siyuan Ma presents a tantalizing view of snowcapped mountains in soothing tones of turquoise. He presents aesthetic imagery th...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Watercolor
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Two monarch butterflies flutter gracefully against a soft, green background. A subtle glow around them brings the idea of movement. Delicate patterns and detail...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
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The early evening sunlight casts a beautiful, relaxing atmosphere over the farm. In the background, a farmhouse nestled among trees and haystacks reflects the...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Early 20th Century Impressionist More Art
Canvas, Oil
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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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A river cuts through a quiet, secluded meadow. The lush greens reflect on the water's calm surface, while patches of sunlight add brilliance and warmth to the s...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Acrylic
Early 20th Century Impressionist More Art
Canvas, 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 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
Artist Lisa Elley presents an impressionist garden with extraordinarily rich flora. She paints the piece with a palette knife, greatly inspired by Monet's wor...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
Bright yellow sunflowers spill from a folded white paper, creating a striking contrast with the dark background. A glass bottle stands at the back, adding an el...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
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...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Acrylic
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New Jersey artist Brian McCarthy grew up in a rural area near the New York border, where grazing animals were a common sight. In this oil painting, he capture...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
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Golden leaves cling to slender trees, their white trunks standing out against a blue backdrop. Red, yellow, and orange foliage blankets the ground, capturing ...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
Palm trees and desert vegetation frame a road stretching into the distance. At the horizon, purple mountains rise under a sky filled with multicolored clouds. A...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
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Two horses graze peacefully in a sunlit pasture surrounded by trees and open fields. The morning light creates a glowing outline around their bodies. The scene ...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
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The painting offers a glimpse of the houses surrounding a river in Estella, Spain, a charming town along the Camino de Santiago. The sun casts a warm glow ont...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
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A vibrant sky shifts rapidly over sparkling water, turning the coastal scene into a radiant realm. The composition evokes serenity and a deep exploration of t...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
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An evening in Rome unfolds with warm lights illuminating a narrow passage near Piazza Navona. The lively atmosphere of bustling cafes and shops contrasts with...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
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A country house stands solitary in an overgrown field, with traces of time passing evident in its exterior. The grass dances with the wind as the summer sky g...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil, Panel
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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
One sunny afternoon, artist Elizabeth Garat came across this charming town from Frances Mayes' beloved book. This artwork captures that moment. Roses bloom un...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Canvas, Oil
20th Century Impressionist More Art
Oil
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
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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
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A street in Chicago comes alive on a rainy afternoon. The wet pavement reflects the city lights, creating a shimmering effect as cars and pedestrians move thr...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
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Wildflowers sway with the sea breeze, their vibrant petals complementing the blueness of the sky and water. Painted en plein air, artist Lisa Elley captures t...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
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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From this perch on one of Sedona's trails, one can view neighboring cliffs and the lush green valleys in between. The surrounding landscape showcases the vibr...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
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Artist Stanislav Sidorov exhibits colorful umbrellas spread along the busy streets of New York. A bright display of hues parades along the streets amidst wate...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
Artist Yangzi Xu captures a serene moment in Chicago's Theatre District. The quiet streets, dusted with a thin layer of snow, absorb the soft glow of the stre...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Late 19th Century Impressionist More Art
Oil
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Amidst the intricate architectural details and timeless appeal of a brick building, the presence of people engaged in their daily routines brings vibrancy to ...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Watercolor
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Artist Elizabeth Garat paints an inspiring view of the California coast. She references the piece on scenes from an expedition to the beautiful coastal town of Cayucos, California. The stately tree stands alone in the surrounding field, capturing the viewer's attention. Elizabeth fully offers the tranquility of the quiet view.
About the Artist
Growing up in California and Colorado, Elizabeth spent much of her formative years outdoors. “Exposure to nature early on planted the seed of landscape painting in me,†she says. She enjoyed spending time on her grandfather’s sunny sheep ranch and going to the beach with her grandmother. Her grandmother also would bring her to art galleries in Laguna Beach, where she was first introduced to California Impressionism...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
