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.
Antique French Impressionist Oil Painting of Three Women in the Garden
Located in AIGNAN, FR
charming antique oil painting on wood board unsigned but attributed to the artist, Adolphe Deteix (1892-1967) see label on back, part of a private collection. Three women sit aroun...
Oil
Superb Mid 20th Century French Portrait of Woman in Blue Shirt, signed framed
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
Portrait of a Woman in a Blue Shirt by Georges Eugène Delhomme (French, 1904-1989) signed oil on board, framed in original vintage frame. framed: 30.5 x 26 inches board: 24 x 32 inc...
Oil
$934Sale Price|20% Off
Antique Portrait of a woman, original antique oil painting by Eugene Smits
Located in AIGNAN, FR
Antique oil on wood portrait of a woman by Belgium artist, Eugine Smits 1800s. This delightful painting in its rich and powerful tones and scultured impressionist paint layers is ve...
Oil
"Glad and Rhododendron" Irving Ramsey Wiles, American Impressionist Portrait
Located in New York, NY
Irving Ramsey Wiles Glad and Rhododendron, circa 1927 Inscribed indistinctly with title (on the turnover) Oil on canvas 46 x 40 inches Provenance The artist Estate of the artist Hir...
Canvas, Oil
"Sitting and Standing" (2025), Nude Portrait of Two Females, Oil Painting
Located in Denver, CO
Kirsten Savage is one of Colorado’s top representational artists. As an avid world traveler and experienced mountaineer, Kirsten spends her time seeking out beautiful spaces where th...
Panel, Oil
Summer, Figurative Nude Original oil Painting, Ready to Hang
Located in Granada Hills, CA
Artist: Mishurovski V.V. Work: Original oil painting, handmade artwork, one of a kind Medium: Oil on Canvas Style: Classic Figurative Year: 2010 Title: Summer Size: 35.5" x 18" x 0....
Canvas, Oil
Cats at play, portrait of a cat and a Kitten playing with a glove in a landscape
Located in Woodbury, CT
Gabriella Rainer-Istvanffy (Austrian, 1886–1963) Cats at Play Oil on canvas, circa 1950 26 x 30 inches (framed) signed lower right This charming composition by Gabriella Rainer-Istv...
Canvas, Oil
Fine Edwardian Portrait of a Lady 1900's British Oil Painting on Canvas
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
Portrait of a Lady British School, early 1900's Circle of Samuel Luke Fildes (1843-1927) British. Bust Portrait of a Lady, Oil on canvas, 24" x 20" (61 x 50.8cm) plus gilt swept f...
Canvas, Oil
$642Sale Price|20% Off
Mid 20th Century French Oil Pre-Raphaelite Portrait of a Lady
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
Working Sketch by Louise Alix (French, 1888-1980) *see notes below provenance stamp to the back oil painting on artist paper stuck on board, unframed measures: 10.5 high by 12 inche...
Oil
$1,144
Mid-20th Century French Oil Painting Portrait of a Man in Suit & Tie
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
Portrait of a Man in Suit French, mid 20th century oil on canvas, in a slip wooden frame Framed: 18.5 x 15.5 inches Canvas : 18 x 15 inches Provenance: private collection, France Con...
Oil
Fine Edwardian British Society Portrait of an Elegant Lady Signed Oil Painting
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
Portrait of an Elegant Lady by John Arthur Machray Hay (Scottish, 1887-1960) signed and dated 1910 oil on canvas, unframed canvas: 30 x 24 inches provenance: private collection, UK c...
Oil, Canvas
"Italian Chair" (2024) Original Oil Portrait Painting by Michael Carson
Located in Denver, CO
Michael Carson's (US based) "Italian Chair" (2024) is an original, handmade oil painting and is framed in a black float frame. About the Artist: Mike Carson is a Minneapolis painte...
Wood Panel, Oil
$1,637Sale Price|30% Off
Woman with Red Flower Oil on Canvas, Impressionist, Framed, 1990s
Located in Sitges, Barcelona
Francisco Sanchis Cortés – Woman with Red Flower Medium: Oil on canvas Canvas dimensions: 73 × 54 cm (28.7 × 21.3 in) Framed dimensions: 91 × 72 cm (35.8 × 28.3 in) Signature: Signe...
Oil
Mid-20th Century French Signed Oil Portrait of a Woman
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
Portrait of a Young Woman French artist, mid 20th century signed oil on board, frames Framed: 29 x 23 inches Board : 22 x 15 inches Provenance: private collection, France Condition:...
Oil
''Mother and Child in Zeeland' by Julien Celos (1884 – Antwerp – 1953)
Located in Knokke, BE
Julien Celos 1884 – Antwerp – 1953 Belgian Painter 'Mother and Child in Zeeland' Signature: signed lower middle left 'Julien Célos' Medium: oil on canvas Dimensions: image size 64 ...
Canvas, Oil
$1,200Sale Price|20% Off
19th/20th century American school Antique oil painting on canvas, Portrait
Located in Palm Coast, FL
Up for sale is a 19th/20th-century American school Antique original oil painting on canvas depicting a portrait of a fisherman seated by a table with fishing creel and basket. No v...
Oil
$35,000
"Reading in the Study" Impressionist Portrait Oil Painting Woman in Pink Dress
Located in New York, NY
An Early 20th Century elegant portrait oil painting by Gordon Stevenson depicting a pensive young woman seated in a serene, indoor setting wearing a l...
Oil, Canvas
Fine Edwardian British Society Portrait of a Distinguished Gentleman signed oil
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
Portrait of a Distinguished Gentleman by John Arthur Machray Hay (Scottish, 1887-1960) signed and dated 1910 oil on canvas, unframed canvas: 30 x 24 inches provenance: private co...
Oil
Antique European Signed Impressionist Large Framed Woman Portrait Oil Painting
Located in Buffalo, NY
Antique European impressionist oil painting. Oil on canvas. Signed. Framed. Provenance from a Sag Harbor, NY collection. Handsomely framed in period giltwood molding. Excellent cond...
Oil, Canvas
$3,350Sale Price|50% Off
ORIGINAL 1860 Famous American Artist Henry Peters Gray (1819-1877) oil on canvas
By Henry Peters Gray
Located in Palm Coast, FL
Up for sale is an amazing original antique oil painting on canvas by Famous American Artist Henry Peters Gray (1819-1877), depicting a portrait of a W.P. Wright Esq. Some of his paintings are exhibited in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, in New York. The painting has a commemorative inscription on the verso: "For W.P. Wright Esq. Portrait from Henry Peter Gray. Painted at Pittsfield MA August 1860. Please read some interesting information about this Artist from Wikipedia. Henry Peters Gray was born in New York City he was a pupil of Daniel Huntington...
Oil
$1,320Sale Price|20% Off
M. Vidiella (Europe 20C) Oil painting on canvas, Genre Scene, Amazing Frame
Located in Palm Coast, FL
This painting portrays a refined 19th-century interior scene, where a group of elegantly dressed individuals gathers in an opulent drawing room. The richly decorated space, adorned w...
Oil
$39,309
'Mother with Children on a Wooded Path, Bordeaux ' by Alfred Smith (1854 – 1936)
Located in Knokke, BE
Alfred Smith Bordeaux 1854 – 1936 Paris French Painter 'Mother with Children on a Wooded Path in Bordeaux' Signature: signed lower left and dated 1883 'Alf Smith 83' Medium: oil on...
Canvas, Oil
Reclining Nude Lady Model 1970's French Modernist Painting Provence Collection
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
The Artists Model Nude Lady Model French School, circa 1970's oil painting on card, unframed size: 25.5 x 18 inches condition: overall very good, a very few light markings to the su...
Oil
$1,147
Large 20th Century French Signed Oil Painting Portrait of Lady in Grey Dress
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
Claude Benard (1926-2016, French), signed Portrait of a Fashionable Young Lady oil painting on canvas, unframed, signed upper corner painting: 32 x 24 inches provenance: the artists ...
Oil
Melancholic Woman in an Interior, Oil on Canvas, Signed, 1979
Located in Sitges, Barcelona
Title Melancholic Woman in an Interior with Dressing Table Artist Ramon Pichot i Soler (Figueres, 1924 – Barcelona, 1996) Medium Oil on canvas Dimensions 81 × 65 cm (31.9 × 25...
Oil
$3,900Sale Price|50% Off
Antique Dutch School original oil painting on canvas, Genre scene, Gold Frame
Located in Palm Coast, FL
This captivating antique oil painting on canvas is a fine example of Dutch School genre art, evoking the style of the 17th-century master Adriaen van Ostade. The composition features...
Oil
$1,500
Original Oil Painting Signed by William Harnden American Impressionist 1920-1983
Located in Palm Coast, FL
A captivating vintage oil painting on board signed Harnden, depicting a lively tavern scene filled with musicians, dancers, and warm ambient lighting. A violinist and guitarist perfo...
Oil
$201
1940's French Fashion Illustration - Elegant Three Women Face Portraits
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
Very stylish, unique and original 1940's fashion design by French illustrator Geneviève Thomas. The painting, executed in gouache and pencil, double sided The sketch is original, v...
Gouache
Portrait of a Pekingese Dog Charming Antique English Watercolour Painting
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
Portrait of a Pekingese Dog English artist, late 19th century Watercolour drawing on board, unframed drawing: 7.25 x 5 inches Provenance: Private collection, UK Condition: This paint...
Watercolor
Man in Hat Seated on Ground Stylish 1920's French Impressionist Oil Painting
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
Portrait of Man by Maurice Georges Poncelet (French, 1897-1978) oil painting on board, signed initials - datedf 1929 11 x 14 inches condition: overall good and sound though a little ...
Oil
Portrait of John Rogers, A Sculptor for the Common Man
Located in San Francisco, CA
So American, this sculptor. Both a right brain and left-brain kind of guy. Working in the mid to late 19th century, John Rogers was innovative, imaginative, and stylistically a reali...
Oil, Board
$520Sale Price|20% Off
Ernest Burnett Hood, British Artist (1932-1988) Oil on canvas painting, Portrait
Located in Palm Coast, FL
Up for sale is an interesting original vintage oil painting on canvas by Famous British Artist Ernest Burnett Hood, (1932 to 1988), depicting a portrait of a man in costume. Ernest...
Oil
"THE BRAVE" NATIVE AMERICAN INDIAN PORTRAIT
Located in San Antonio, TX
E. Salazar Texas Artist Image Size: 23.75 x 17.75 Frame Size: 29.5 x 23.5 Medium: Oil "The Brave"
Oil
Antique English Classical Portrait with Parrot Framed Original Oil Painting
Located in Buffalo, NY
Antique English portrait oil painting. Oil on canvas. Signed. Framed. Measuring: 31 by 36 inches overall, and 25.5 by 30.5 painting alone. In excellent original condition. Handsomel...
Oil, Board
$1,768
"Emotions of Crossed Fingers" Portrait of Asia Girl Oil painting on canvas
Located in Zofingen, AG
Oil on canvas. In this painting, we see a little girl sitting on her haunches and crossing her fingers near her face as if she holds a secret in her small hands. In this simple gesture, the emotions and mood of the little child are encapsulated. Crossed fingers...
Oil, Canvas
$2,300Sale Price|50% Off
19 cent or earlier Signed Antique Original Oil Painting on canvas, Genre Scene
Located in Palm Coast, FL
Up for sale is a fabulous antique 19th-century or even earlier original oil painting on canvas depicting an interior scene with a seated female nude queen w...
Oil
“Portrait of a Seated Lady in Wicker Chair”
Located in San Francisco, CA
A picture of calm refined beauty, the sitter epitomizes elegant and casual repose propped up against pillow in her spacious wicker armchair. Captured by master American portraitist ...
Oil, Board
Stunning Art Deco Young Woman Portrait Framed Signed Rare Original Oil Painting
Located in Buffalo, NY
Exquisite antique portrait painting of a young fashionable woman. Framed. Oil on canvas. Signed. Image size, 31H by 24L.
Canvas, Oil
«Stella» Original portrait study.Acrylic painting . Square . Impressionism
Located in Oslo, NO
This artwork is a striking portrait showcasing a figure seated against a vibrant backdrop. The artist employs bold brushstrokes and a rich palette, blending earthy tones with dynamic...
Canvas, Acrylic
$1,403Sale Price|20% Off
Pensive Woman Oil on Canvas, Impressionist Portrait, Signed, 1980
Located in Sitges, Barcelona
Title: Pensive Woman Artist: Frederic Lloveras Herrera (1912–1983) Year: 1980 Technique: Oil on canvas Dimensions: 28.7 x 23.6 in (73 x 60 cm) Support: Canvas, unframed Signature: Si...
Canvas, Oil
$900Sale Price|25% Off
Self-portrait (portrait of man)
By Wesley Lea
Located in Wilton Manors, FL
Wesley Lea (1914-1981). Self-portrait, ca. 1940. Oil on canvas, 12 x 17 inches. Signed lower left center "WESLEA" as was his practice in 1930s-40's. Unframed.
Oil
1950s French Post Impressionist Signed Nude Man Artists Posed Model
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
Josine Vignon (French 1922-2022) ...
Oil
"Stolen" (2024) Original Oil Portrait Painting by Michael Carson
Located in Denver, CO
Michael Carson's (US based) "Stolen" (2024) is an original, handmade oil painting. About the Artist: Mike Carson is a Minneapolis painter, and graduate of the Minneapolis College of...
Wood Panel, Oil
Night at the Saloon, Stylised Portrait, High Society, Signed Oil Painting
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
Night at the Saloon, Stylised Portrait, High Society, Signed Oil Painting French School artist, Late 20th Century Signed by the artist on the lower left hand corner Oil painting on c...
Oil
$12,925Sale Price|20% Off
Ballerinas putting on their Shoes - French Impressionist art oil painting ballet
Located in Hagley, England
This lovely Belgian Impressionist figurative oil painting is by noted artist Henri Moreau. Although Belgian by birth, Moreau spent many years in France, moving to Paris in 1920 and o...
Oil
Woman in Pink Oil on Canvas Painting, Impressionist, Framed, 1970s
By Joan Palet
Located in Sitges, Barcelona
Joan Palet (1911 - 1996) - Woman in pink- Oil on canvas Oil measures 61x50 cm. Frame size 67x56 cm. Joan Palet was born in Barcelona on March 28, 1911 in a family of sculptors and w...
Oil, Canvas
1940's Fashion Illustration - Stunning Woman In Light Blue Dress
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
Very stylish, unique and original 1940's fashion design by French illustrator Geneviève Thomas. The painting, executed in gouache and pencil. The s...
Gouache
$2,800Sale Price|20% Off
Young Boy with Donkey, William Weintraub
Located in Fairfield, CT
Artist: William Weintraub (1926) Title: Young Boy with Donkey Year: 1962 Medium: Oil on board Size: 33 x 25.5 inches Condition: Excellent Inscription: Signed and dated by the artist ...
Oil, Board
$796Sale Price|20% Off
Antique Paris School Early 1900's French Impressionist Portrait Oil Painting
Located in Buffalo, NY
Antique French impressionist portrait oil painting of two young girls. Oil on board. No signature found. Framed. Image size, 10L x 18H.
Canvas, Oil
$226Sale Price|20% Off
1940's Fashion Illustration - Lady In White Dress With Draped Orange Head Scarf
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
Very stylish, unique and original 1940's fashion design by French illustrator Geneviève Thomas. The painting, executed in gouache and pencil. The sketch is original, vintage and me...
Gouache
Antique Portrait of a Woman, Portrait of a Woman Sitting, Female Portrait
Located in AIGNAN, FR
Antique portrait painting of a woman signed in the bottom right. A thoughtful portrait of a young woman in a shawl sat on a chair and deep in thought. It's an atmopsheric piece wit...
Oil
1940's Fashion Illustration - The Two Elegant Brides
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
Very stylish, unique and original 1940's fashion design by French illustrator Geneviève Thomas. The painting, executed in gouache and pencil. The sketch is original, vintage and me...
Gouache
$1,600Sale Price|20% Off
Listed Artist Samuel West (1810-1867) Antique oil on canvas, Dated 1860 Portrait
Located in Palm Coast, FL
This is an Antique oil painting on canvas 19 century depicting a portrait of a British Gentleman by Listed British-Irish Artist Samuel West (1810-1860). C...
Oil
Fine 1900's French Belle Epoque Period Portrait of a Lady, signed & dated oil
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
The Belle Epoque Lady French School, signed and dated 1907 oil painting on canvas: 24 x 19.5 inches antique original gilt frame: 29 x 24 inches condition:...
Canvas, Oil
$86,170Sale Price|20% Off
Artist's Family Portrait - British American Impressionist art oil painting
Located in Hagley, England
This stunning British American Impressionist portrait oil on canvas painting is by Sir James Jebusa Shannon circa 1905. The painting is of the artist and his wife Florence and daught...
Oil
My light. Original painting by Liudmila Shabazova
Located in Zofingen, AG
Portrait of a young woman with a baby. Modern painting in the style of impressionism. Against a dark background, a warm light shines, the light of love and tenderness.As is typical ...
Canvas, Acrylic, Cardboard
Large Antique American Impressionist Nicely Framed Picnic Landscape Oil Painting
Located in Buffalo, NY
Antique American impressionist landscape oil painting. Oil on canvas. Framed. Measuring 20 by 27 inches painting alone. In excellent original condition. Handsomely framed in a gold g...
Oil, Board
Beatrice Adams (British, 1876-1958) Antique Oil Painting, Portrait of a Lady
Located in Palm Coast, FL
This refined antique oil portrait depicts an elegant young woman wearing a black hat accented with a red feather, captured with soft modeling and restrained realism typical of Britis...
Oil
Reclining Nude Lady Model 1970's French Modernist Painting Provence Collection
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
The Artists Model Nude Lady Model French School, circa 1970's signed oil painting on card, unframed size: 17 x 24 inches condition: overall very good, a very few light markings to ...
Oil
French School 19th Century, Portrait of a young man, 1891, signed and dated
Located in Paris, FR
French School of the 19th century Portrait of a young man, 1891 Signed (illegible) and dated 91 on the lower right Oil on canvas 46 x 38 cm Framed 52 x 44 In good condition, recently...
Oil