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.
"Founding Father" George Washington Impressionistic Oil Painting on Canvas
By Cindy Shaoul
Located in New York, NY
This painting depicts an impressionistic and abstract portrait of George Washington. The thick brush strokes and fun marks create an atmosphere reminiscent of the impressionists from...
Canvas, Oil
American Impressionist "Reading Lakeside" Antique Woman Portrait Oil Painting
Located in Buffalo, NY
Antique American impressionist oil painting. Oil on board. Signed. Framed. Measuring: 24 by 21 inches overall, and 14 by 10.5 painting alone. Excellent condition, ready to hang and ...
Oil
“A Lady in Black, 1894” French Impressionist Portrait Pastel on Canvas Signed
Located in Yardley, PA
“A Lady in Black, 1894” by Paul-Marie Lapierre Renouard (1854-1940) This exceptional pastel portrait of an elegant woman in black is among the artist’s finest works. A close examina...
Canvas, Pastel
“Jamaican Girl by the Palm Tree, c. 1930” American Impressionist Portrait Lyme
Located in Yardley, PA
“Jamaican Girl by the Palm Tree, c. 1930” by Will Howe Foote (American, 1874-1965) A fantastic portrait of a young Jamaican woman set against a vibrant palm frond, painted by the re...
Oil, Board
$940Sale 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
Spanish Lady with Mantilla and Red Carnation Portrait Oil 1929 European art
By Daniel Sabater y Salabert
Located in Sitges, Barcelona
Spanish Lady with Mantilla and Red Carnation Portrait Oil 1929 Artist: Daniel Sabater Salabert (Valencia, 1888 – Barcelona, 1951) Medium: Oil on panel Dimensions: 65 x 54 cm (25.6 x...
Oil
$28,000Sale Price|20% Off
"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...
Canvas, Oil
American Impressionist Young Black Man Nicely Framed Oil Painting Portrait
Located in Buffalo, NY
Antique American oil painting portrait. Oil on board. Framed. Measuring: 22 by 28 inches overall, and 16 by 24 painting alone. Unsigned. Excellent condition, ready to hang and enjoy.
Oil
Portrait of the Artist's Daughters, American Impressionism Painting, Signed
Located in PARIS, FR
William John Hennessy Thomastown 1839 - Rudgwick 1917 Portrait of the Artist's Daughters Circa 1880 Oil on canvas mounted on cardboard Signed bottom left 33 x 23.5 cm canvas 44 x ...
Canvas, Oil, Cardboard
Antique English Seaside Elegant Mediterranean Coastal Landscape Figural Painting
Located in Buffalo, NY
Antique English landscape oil painting attributed to Henry Turner Munns (1832 - 1898). Oil on canvas. Signed. Framed. Measuring: 35 by 44 inches overall, and 29 by 38 painting alone....
Oil, Canvas
“Portrait of a Lady in White, c. 1905-10” Impressionist Edwardian Belle Époque
Located in Yardley, PA
“Portrait of a Lady in White, c. 1905-10” by Joseph Oppenheimer (1876-1966). An exceptional portrait by Oppenheimer of a spirited young woman turned in half-profile. This work exemp...
Canvas, Oil
$974Sale Price|20% Off
Mid 20th Century French Oil Portrait Woman Impressionist Sketch on Canvas
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
Portrait of a Woman by Louise Alix (French, 1888-1980) *see notes below oil painting on canvas unframed measures: 20 inches high by 24 inches wide condition: overall very good and so...
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
$1,034Sale Price|20% Off
Signed French Impressionist Oil Painting Portrait of a Man seated in Library
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
Artist/ School: French School, indistinctly signed, dated 1910 Title: Portrait of a man seated in a library room of books. Medium: signed oil painting on canvas, unframed canvas...
Oil
"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
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
Antique Oil Painting Romantic Pastoral Scene 19th Century French Classical Art
Located in Palm Coast, FL
Elegant antique original oil painting on canvas depicting a romantic pastoral scene inspired by 19th-century European traditions. The composition portrays a young couple resting in a...
Oil
$648Sale 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
$1,415Sale Price|20% Off
Large Portrait of Young French Girl, Signed Impressionist Oil
By Paul Morro
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
The Young Model Paul Morro, German circa 1960’s Oil painting on canvas, unframed Canvas size: 27 x 23.5 inches Portrait of a young girl, signed by the impressionist artist. Unfra...
Oil
$1,361Sale Price|20% Off
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
$10,886
Tree Nymph in a Landscape - American Impressionist 1920's art oil painting
Located in Hagley, England
This gorgeous large American Impressionist oil painting is attributed to Lillian M. Genth. She was a favourite pupil of Whistlers whilst at an art school in Paris. She is best known for depicting female forms or nymphs in landscapes such as this, up until about 1928 when she focused on other topics. She had an estate in Connecticutt and would often paint models in the woods there. Although not initially accepted by Victorian Society, In 1908 her painting, The Lark, won her the Shaw Memorial Prize at the 83rd Annual Exhibition of the National Academy of Design. The Lark depicts a full female nude strolling through the woods with her head turned looking toward the sky as if she just heard a lark, as the title suggests. This painting successfully demonstrates Whistler’s influence on Genth through the integration of the nude form and the landscape. Our lovely painting's composition is of a nymph seated in a tree playing pipes with a blue sky as background, while sheep graze beyond her in a landscape. The dappled sunlight on her skin and hair are beautiful. This is a superb example of work by a female American Impressionist in the 1920's and visually stunning. Unsigned. Provenance: Berkshire estate. Christies London Condition. Oil on canvas, image size is 50 inches by 37 inches and in good condition. Frame. House an ornate gilt frame. Framed size is 57 inches by 44 inches and in good condition. Lillian Mathilde Genth (1876 – March 28, 1953) was an American impressionist artist. She is best known for her depiction of female nudes in landscape settings. However, in the middle of her career she swore off painting female nudes and began painting more conservative paintings inspired by her travels. In about 30 years Genth appeared in 233 exhibitions, and while well renowned for her paintings while alive, her story and artwork have been lost in the retelling of American art history. Lillian Mathilde Genth was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the daughter of Matilda Caroline Rebscher and Samuel Adam. Genth began her art career by attending the Philadelphia School of Design for Women in Pennsylvania on scholarship. During her schooling years she worked to help support herself as a dress designer. At the Philadelphia School of Design for Women her primary teacher was Elliott Daingerfield. Daingerfield greatly influenced her style, which can be seen in the similar tonalist and coloristic qualities of her landscape scenes. Genth graduated from Philadelphia School of Design for Women in 1900. She received the William L. Elkins European fellowship for attainment in art from the Philadelphia School of Design, which sponsored her to paint in Europe for a year. During her time in Europe, Genth first settled in Paris, France in October 1900 where she enrolled in art classes at the Académie Carmen, an art school run by James McNeill Whistler. Whistler became a large influence on Genth’s work and she was known to be a favorite pupil of his. During one of Whistler’s visits to the school in 1900, he was so impressed by Genth’s work that he gave her a paint palette; an honor that she used and treasured for the rest of her career. This was an incredible compliment from Whistler, who rarely accepted women painters. Genth’s style is typically attributed to Whistler because of her paintings' tonalist qualities and because he taught her to see her paintings as a whole instead of in individual parts. After the Academie Carmen closed in 1901, Genth stayed in Europe for three more years. During this time she worked on painting landscapes, genre scenes, and waterfronts; her nudes would not begin for a few more years. In 1904 Genth returned to the United States and was living in New York City. It was at this point that her career began to flourish. In 1904 Genth showed at three exhibitions: the National Academy of Design, Art Club of Philadelphia, and Worcester Museum. In October of that same year she appeared in her first individual show at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts. Also in 1904 Genth received the Mary Shaw...
Oil
$147Sale Price|20% Off
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
$538Sale Price|20% Off
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 indistinctly signed oil painting on card, unframed size: 18 x 25.5 inches condition: overall very good, a very few light...
Oil
Antique European Impressionist Elegant Young Woman Portrait Framed Oil Painting
Located in Buffalo, NY
Antique European impressionist portrait oil painting . Oil on canvas. Signed. Framed. Measuring: 26 by 32 inches overall, and 21.5 by 26.5 painting alone. Handsomely framed in a gi...
Oil, Canvas
"Claudine" Marcel Dyf, Impressionist Painter, Female Portrait, French, Interior
By Marcel Dyf
Located in New York, NY
Marcel Dyf Claudine Signed lower right Oil on canvas 25 1/2 x 21 1/2 inches Marcel Dyf, born Marcel Dreyfus in Paris, was a French painter whose work carried forward the traditions...
Canvas, Oil
$455
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
$865Sale Price|20% Off
English Impressionist Portrait of Young Child Signed 20th Century Oil Painting
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
Portrait by Helen Greenfield (British 20th century) signed initials oil painting on board, framed framed: 14 x 12.75 inches board: 13 x 12 inches condition: overall very good provena...
Oil
$925Sale Price|20% Off
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
$336Sale Price|20% Off
Hans Kerber (Austria b. 1920) Original Oil Painting, Man with Guitar, Framed
Located in Palm Coast, FL
Bring warmth and charm into your home with this delightful original oil painting by Austrian artist Hans Kerber (b. 1920–?), portraying an elderly gentleman joyfully holding a guitar...
Oil
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
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
$2,124Sale Price|20% Off
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
$3,600
Richard Zolan Impressionist Oil Painting Judaica Sephardic Rabbi Playing Chess
Located in Surfside, FL
Richard Judson Zolan (1931-2001) CHESS GAME, Oil painting on canvas Hand signed lower right Hand signed and titled verso Dimensions: 20 x 24”, frame 28 ¼ x 32 ¼ x 3 ½”. Provenance:...
Oil
$2,449Sale Price|20% Off
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
Portrait of a British Army General in Uniform - British exh. art oil painting
Located in Hagley, England
This superb British Impressionist Edwardian military portrait oil painting is by noted artist Walter Ernest Webster. Painted circa 1910 it is a seated generous half length portrait, ...
Oil
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
$538Sale Price|20% Off
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: 18 x 26 inches condition: overall very good, a very few light markings to the surfa...
Oil
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
$538Sale Price|20% Off
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 double sided size: 18 x 25 inches condition: overall very good, a very few light markings...
Oil
Antique Impressionist Framed Opera Scene Elegant Woman Portrait Oil Painting
Located in Buffalo, NY
Antique opera view oil painting. Oil on board. Unsigned. Framed. Measuring: 18 by 22 inches overall, and 14 by 18 painting alone. Excellent condition, ready to hang and enjoy.
Oil
Portrait of a Black Woman - Mid 20th Century French Oil on Board Painting
Located in Sevenoaks, GB
* No US duty or taxes to pay on works of art * A beautiful mid 20th century French oil on board portrait of a black woman. The work is presented in a very good quality wooden frame....
Oil
$893Sale Price|20% Off
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
$400Sale Price|46% Off
Vendimiadora (Grape Harvester)
Located in Atlanta, GA
Small limited edition run of 49 and 6 E.A."s (Edition of the artist). Each canvas reproduction is crafted by a skilled printer under the supervision of the artist. Román Francés has...
Canvas, Oil, Giclée
$563Sale Price|20% Off
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
" Mother " Child, Mother, Mother's Day oil cm 67 x 100
By Gleb Savinov
Located in Torino, IT
Child,Baby,Maternity,child,Mother,Green,Window,spring,russian art GLEB SAVINOV (Charkev, 1915 – St. Petersburg, 2000) Works by Gleb Savinov can be found in various private collect...
Oil
$1,980Sale Price|20% Off
Antique American Impressionist Expressive Young Woman Oil Painting Portrait
Located in Buffalo, NY
Very finely painted late 19th or early 20th century portrait painting. Oil on canvas. In excellent original condition. Handsomely framed in a giltwood molding. Excellent conditio...
Canvas, Oil
$2,667Sale Price|20% Off
Very Large 19th Century French Impressionist Oil Painting Portrait Bearded Man
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
Portrait of a Bearded Man French Impressionist artist, late 19th century, unsigned oil on canvas, framed framed: 38.5 x 30.5 inches canvas: 36 x 28 inches provenance: private collect...
Oil, Canvas
$1,579Sale Price|20% Off
Portrait of African Woman Tanzania - Signed Oil Painting circa 1970's
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
Artist/ School: The work is signed and dates to the 1970's period. Title: Portrait of an Africa Woman, believed to be from Tanzania (according to previous owner). Medium: oil paint...
Oil
$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
$13,914
Elegant Women - Impressionist Figures in Interior Oil by Edmond Aman-Jean
Located in Marlow, Buckinghamshire
Signed oil on canvas by French impressionist painter Edmond Francois Aman-Jean. The piece depicts an elegant woman in a purple dress with her assistant. Signature: Signed lower left...
Canvas, Oil
Portrait of a Young Child by Henton c.1910
Located in San Francisco, CA
Wonderful antique portrait of a charming young girl c.1910 The painting is created with oils on board. Dimensions 8" x 11.5". The frame measures 13" x 16.5". The painting is in go...
Canvas, 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 19 century Large Oil Painting on canvas, Female portrait, Dated 1879
Located in Palm Coast, FL
This is an original antique 19th-century large oil painting on canvas painting depicting a portrait of a Lady in a long black dress, standing near a bright red curtain. The painting...
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
$3,211Sale Price|20% Off
Antique French Impressionist Signed Oil Painting Portrait of Young Man
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
Portrait of a Young Man French School, late 19th century indistinctly signed top right, 'Valadon'? oil on canvas, framed framed: 30 x 28 inches canvas: 26 x 21 inches private collect...
Oil, Canvas
"Somewhere in Denver, " Oil Painting
Located in Denver, CO
Suchitra Bhosle's "Somewhere in Denver" is an original, handmade oil painting that depicts a dark haired woman, brushing her hair, wearing a translucent white shift around her as she...
Oil, Board
$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
Antique Italian Oil Painting Peasant Woman Portrait 19th C. Signed Genre Art
Located in Palm Coast, FL
Beautiful antique oil on canvas painting depicting a young peasant woman standing beside old stone steps while balancing a clay vessel upon her head. Executed in the romantic Europea...
Oil
Rosella, Romantic Portrait circa 1900 by Francesco Paolo Michetti
By Francesco Paolo Michetti
Located in Long Island City, NY
Artist: Francesco Paolo Michetti, Italian (1851 - 1929) Title: Rosella Year: circa 1900 Medium: Oil on Canvas, Signed Size: 30 x 20 inches [76.2 x 50.8 cm] Framed: 40 x 30 inches [10...
Canvas, Oil
Vintage French Impressionist Monogrammed High Society Beach Scene Classic Cars
Located in Buffalo, NY
Vintage French beach scene painting. Watercolor on paper. Signed. Framed. Measuring: 9 by 12 inches overall, and 7.5 by 11 painting alone. Excellent condition, ready to hang and enj...
Watercolor