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.
American Impressionist James Goodwin McManus Old Lyme CT Salmagundi Club Artist
Located in Chesterfield, NJ
James Goodwin McManus (American 1882-1958) CT oil/panel Summer landscape with split rails signed LR dated June 22, 1934 verso 8 x 10 image Biography: James Goodwin McManus was a no...
Oil
Vintage Signed Trompe L'Oeil Dock Scene Framed Interior Seascape Oil Painting
Located in Buffalo, NY
Antique American modernist seascape oil painting. Oil on canvasboard. Signed. Framed. Measuring: 13 by 16 inches overall, and 10 by 14 painting alone. Excellent condition, ready to h...
Oil
$387Sale Price|20% Off
British Impressionist Watercolor of Pastoral Landscape with Dramatic Sky
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
Title: British Impressionist Watercolor of Pastoral Landscape with Dramatic Sky by Anthony Avery (British 1946-2023) Original watercolor on artists paper, unframed Dimensions: 11 x 1...
Watercolor
The road to the Blue Forest
Located in Zofingen, AG
Roads are a very interesting topic. Roads mean a lot to a person. There is a road leading to the house, there is a road to the future, and this old road leads to the blue forest. We ...
Canvas, Lacquer, Acrylic
$1,335Sale Price|20% Off
Mid 20th Century South African Blue Mountain River Landscape Oil Painting
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
South African Landscape by Hugh Stevenson (South African, 1910-1956) oil on board, framed framed: 21.5 x 26.5 inches board : 17 x 23 inches Provenance: private collection, UK Conditi...
Oil
$695Sale Price|20% Off
Vintage French Oil Painting Of A Golden Field Of Hay Bales
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
Artist/ School: Leon Hatot (French 1883-1953) Title: Impressionist oil painting Medium: signed oil painting on thick paper, stuck on board unframed. dated 1944 Size: painting: 1...
Oil
"Beach Scene with Figures" Impressionistic Oil Painting in Zandvoort Holland
Located in New York, NY
A wonderfully rich beach scene done in Zandvoort Holland in the Mid-20th Century depicting figures in the sand. Some figures are by the water as kids play in the distance. The impres...
Canvas, Oil
$311Sale Price|55% Off
Heraklion Harbour Crete Ship Milos Greek Port Scene Signed 1967 Watercolour
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
Title: Heraklion Harbour Crete Ship Milos Greek Port Scene Signed 1967 Watercolour by John Steane (b.1931) Signed: Bottom right Size: 16.5 inches (height)...
Watercolor
$2,766
The quiet between mountains by K.Husslein Impasto Landscape oil Painting
Located in DE
In Katharina Husslein's floral-themed paintings, her profound connection to nature and deep inspiration drawn from flowers are unmistakable. Through her textural and abstract approac...
Canvas, Oil
Winter Landscape Oil Painting by Michael Budden Winter Farm
Located in Chesterfield, NJ
Winter Farm oil/canvas panel 9 x 12 image unframed. 15.38 x 18.38 framed signed LR This is a scene of a farm near my studio called the KnowWhere Farm where I have visited many times ...
Oil
$4,500Sale Price|54% Off
Willow
Located in Atlanta, GA
Eva Makk has been called “the world’s foremost living impressionist painter”. She is celebrated for graceful, light-infused compositions executed with shimmer...
Canvas, Oil
$920Sale Price|20% Off
Red Geraniums and Yellow Curtain Original Paul Schmitt California Impressionist
Located in Soquel, CA
Red Geraniums and Yellow Curtain Original Paul Schmitt California Impressionist Geraniums in an interior setting with a yellow curtain or drape behind by Paul A. Schmitt (American, 18983-1983). Oakland, California artist. Size 23.5"H x 16.5"W Signed lower left "Paul A. Schmitt" Exhibition label on verso, "Alameda Art Association, Paul A. Schmitt Oil Still Life No 10" Painter, watercolorist, illustrator and teacher, Paul Schmitt was born in Philadelphia, in 1893 and moved to San Francisco in 1898 where he lived until the 1906 earthquake took his family home. He then moved to the Fruitvale district of Oakland. He died of natural causes at the age of 90 in San Leandro, California. Paul Schmitt studied under Perham Wilhelm Nahl, at the California College of Arts and Crafts. He also learned various crafts, woodworking and carving skills from his father, Herman Schmitt, a German wood carver working in San Francisco. Herman's works are still found in various San Francisco public buildings including the city hall chambers and the garden court of the Palace Hotel. Schmitt joined twelve other local San Francisco artists to form the group called "The Thirteen Watercolorists", a group that eventually evolved into the Society of Western Artists. Their early members included Alfred Owles, Will Cameron, Maurice Logan, Maynard Dixon and many others. Paul worked with engineers and architects doing models of many projects. He was versatile in that he also did illustrations for various publications and advertisers. He fathered thirteen children. In the late 1930's he decided to accept a teaching position in the local adult schools where he retired in his eighties. Paul was very fond of the Sierra Nevada Mountains and yearly took his large family there on camping /sketching trips. He did a series of oils of the California missions. He also traveled extensively on sketching trips including Mexico where he did a series of Mexican churches...
Masonite, Oil
Daffodils
Located in Zofingen, AG
Daffodils look incredibly beautiful against the dark green velvet background. The bouquet looks festive in a glass vase. The painting is done in the artist's unique style.
Canvas, Acrylic
American Impressionist “Old Friends”
Located in San Francisco, CA
Bit of a mystery here. Fabulous American impressionist landscape appears to be unsigned. It is titled on the back old friends which I assume refers to the trees. I heavy impasto and ...
Oil
KaDi Pan Landscape Original Oil Painting "Little Garden"
Located in New York, NY
Title: Little Garden Medium: Oil on canvas Size: 24 x 24 inches Frame: Framing options available! Condition: The painting appears to be in excellent condition. Note: This paint...
Canvas, Oil
$855Sale Price|25% Off
Joy of a Rose, unframed oil on board, 21x14"
By Lu Haskew
Located in Loveland, CO
Joy of a Rose, by Lu Haskew Oil 21x14" image size Still Life Painting in Pinks and Reds This painting is unframed, canvas on gator board, the price reflects that it is unframed. Sh...
Oil
$3,262Sale Price|20% Off
1930's French Oil Painting Purple Mountains Over Blue Sea Landscape
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
French Landscape signed initials by Louise Alix (French, 1888-1980) *see notes below oil painting on artist paper, unframed measures: 12 inches high by 16.5 inches wide condition: o...
Oil
$778Sale Price|20% Off
Paris in the Summer, Large French Impressionist Oil River Seine Landscape
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
Artist/ School/ Date: Douglas Stuart Allen (American/ French 1923-2021) American born artist from Chicago, retiring to France during his latter years to...
Oil
$788Sale Price|40% Off
Still Life of a Vase of Pink Red & White Roses by 20th Century American Artist
Located in Preston, GB
Still Life Painting of a Vase of Pink, Red & White Roses by 20th Century American Artist, Robert Cox (1934-2001) Art measures 7.5 x 9.5 inches (unframed) Framing by arrangement ...
Canvas, Cotton Canvas, Oil
Fresh wind
Located in Zofingen, AG
The rustle of leaves and tall grass, warm sun and fresh wind, all this brings us summer. Looking at this picture, our thoughts fly to where there is peace, serenity and where no one ...
Canvas, Acrylic
Entwined Roots ІІ
Located in Zofingen, AG
“Entwined Roots ІІ” is a large-scale figurative–abstract painting from the series Rituals of the Invisible. The work explores family relationships, memory, and the invisible bonds th...
Canvas, Acrylic
$669Sale Price|20% Off
French Impressionist Regatta Scene with Colourful Sails and Seaside Village
By Fanch Lel
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
Title: French Impressionist Regatta Scene with Colourful Sails and Seaside Village By Fanch Lel Signed: Yes Size: 18 x 21.5 inches (height x width) Oil painting on cardboard, unframe...
Oil
$520Sale Price|20% Off
Impressionistic Landscape Cloud Oil Painting Michael Budden Sky Study
Located in Chesterfield, NJ
Sky Study oil/panel 7 x 10 image size unframed, is an oil on panel completed in the studio. The painting exudes the rich qualities of oil paint with bright strong color, a variety o...
Oil
Vintage American Impressionist Framed Pansy Flower Still Life Oil Painting
Located in Buffalo, NY
Vintage American impressionist oil painting. Oil on board. Framed. Provenance from a Sag Harbor, NY collection. Handsomely framed in a giltwood molding. Excellent condition, ready...
Oil, Board
$7,500Sale Price|50% Off
Dandelion
Located in Atlanta, GA
This painting is featured in the Makk Family book, "Vision of Life on page 102. Eva Makk has been called “the world’s foremost living impressionist painter...
Canvas, Oil
$680Sale Price|20% Off
Impressionistic Farm Landscape Oil Painting Michael Budden Sky Cloud Study
Located in Chesterfield, NJ
Afternoon Sky is an oil on panel painting just completed in the studio. The painting exudes the rich qualities of oil paint with bright strong color, a variety of lost and found edge...
Oil
Trees, Print on Canvas, Framed, Ready to Hang
Located in Granada Hills, CA
Artist: Vahe Yeremyan Work: Print on Canvas Subject: Trees Size: 15" x 26" x 0.8''inch, 38x66x2cm Unframed, Stretched on the wooden bar, Gallery Wrapped, Ready to Hang All works are...
Canvas, Color
Montmartre - Early 20th Century French Impressionist Paris Street Oil Painting
Located in Sevenoaks, GB
A beautiful 1930's French impressionist oil on board depicting a view of the Montmartre neighbourhood of Paris, with the domes of Sacré-Coeur church in the background. Charming stre...
Oil
$422Sale Price|20% Off
British Impressionist Watercolor of a Cottage Garden in Bloom
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
Title: British Impressionist Watercolor of a Cottage Garden in Bloom by Anthony Avery (British 1946-2023) Original watercolor on artists paper, unframed Dimensions: 11.25 x 15 inches...
Watercolor
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
European Impressionist Moonlit Coastal Seascape Framed Original Oil Painting
Located in Buffalo, NY
Antique European framed seascape oil painting . Oil on canvas. Signed. Framed. Measuring: 16 by 13 inches overall, and 14 by 11 painting alone. Excellent condition, ready to hang and...
Oil, Canvas
A shades of yellow
Located in Zofingen, AG
A shades of yellow - acrylic painting, 2022 15,7" x 15.7", 40cm x 40cm Ready to hang
Oil, Acrylic
New York City Street Painting Paul Bachem News Stand
Located in Chesterfield, NJ
A beautiful painting of NYC by contemporary artist Paul Bachem oil on canvas on panel 11 x 14 unframed, 17.38 x 20.5 framed signed LR BIOGRAPHY Paul Bachem studied with Harold R. S...
Oil
$440Sale Price|20% Off
Lucile White Vintage Oil painting on canvas, European Castle view, framed
Located in Palm Coast, FL
This is an original vintage oil painting on canvas by Lucile White. The central subject of the artwork is a castle or church, with a grand dome and an elaborate bell tower that pun...
Oil
$680Sale Price|20% Off
Winter Landscape Oil Painting by Michael Budden Winter Tree Study I
Located in Chesterfield, NJ
Winter Tree Study I oil/canvas panel 6 x 8 image unframe, 9.50 x 11.50 Signed LR I enjoy playing with light in my paintings and creating a mood while trying to push the range of colo...
Oil
$9,000
Autumn Palette, Landscape Impressionism, Original oil Painting, Ready to Hang
Located in Granada Hills, CA
Landscape Impressionism, Original oil Painting Artist: Vahe Yeremyan Work: Original Oil Painting, Handmade Artwork, One of a Kind Medium: Oil on Canvas Year: 2023 Style: Impressio...
Canvas, Oil
$1,935Sale Price|20% Off
British Hunting Scene Oil Painting Master of the Fox Hounds on Horseback
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
The Master of the Fox Hounds by John Renney (British circa 1960's) signed to label verso oil painting on board, framed painting: 18 x 22 inches framed: 23.5 ...
Oil
Fantasy with Flowers 269: Mixed Media Painting on Paper, 59x42cm
Located in Zofingen, AG
In this piece, I poured my emotions into every brushstroke, blending acrylic, pastel, watercolor, and pen to breathe life into a vibrant tree. The mix of expressionism and impression...
Paper, Acrylic, Color Pencil
$109Sale Price|20% Off
Set of Six Series of Minimalist Coastal Watercolours Seaside Landscapes
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
Minimalist Coastal Watercolors set of 6 watercolour painting on artist paper painting: 10 x 7.25 inches provenance: private collection, England co...
Watercolor
Ronda Gorge Spain Cliffside Village Landscape Watercolor Painting
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
Title: Ronda Gorge Spain Cliffside Village Landscape Watercolor Painting Artist: Unknown artist (mid 20th century) Medium: Watercolor on artists paper, unframed Size: Image size: 7.7...
Watercolor
$940Sale 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
Maine Harbor, Winter
Located in North Clarendon, VT
Wonderful oil on board of a winter harbor scene, likely Maine. American/Canadian artist Charles E. Duncan Rodick. 10" x 14", signed lower right, in a period frame. Mr. Rodick was a ...
Oil
$414Sale Price|20% Off
British Impressionist Watercolor of a Tranquil Riverside Scene with Boat
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
Title: British Impressionist Watercolor of a Tranquil Riverside Scene with Boat By Anthony Avery (British 1946-2023) Original watercolor on artists paper, unframed Dimensions: 11.25 ...
Watercolor
$2,000Sale Price|20% Off
17-18 century, Original Antique Oil Painting in canvas, Genre Scene, Gold Frame
Located in Palm Coast, FL
Up for sale is a compelling and atmospheric original antique oil painting on canvas, depicting a poignant genre scene. A gentleman dressed in formal black robes—likely a figure of au...
Oil
"Quiet by the Stream" Dennis Sheehan, Sunset Reflections in Water, Skyscape
Located in New York, NY
Dennis Sheehan Quiet by the Stream, circa 2025 Signed lower right Oil on canvas 30 x 40 inches Dennis Sheehan was born in Boston in 1950. His work is based upon the Barbizon School...
Canvas, Oil
Fine 21st Century Impressionist Landscape Painting - Winter Ranches
Located in Pasadena, CA
Provenance Acquired by the gallery directly from the artist UNFRAMED: 11" x 14" FRAMED: 17.5" x 20.5" x 1.5" Signed "Obermeyer" on lower right
Canvas, Oil
$2,371Sale Price|30% Off
Still Life of a Vase of Red & White Flowers by 20th Century American Artist
Located in Preston, GB
Still Life of a Vase of Red & White Flowers by 20th Century American Artist, Robert Cox (1934-2001) Art measures 24 x 20 inches Frame measures 29 x 25...
Canvas, Cotton Canvas, Oil
$38,800
"The Great View of Venice" Antoine Bouvard Snr. (French, 1875-1955)
Located in SANTA FE, NM
"The Great View of Venice" Antoine Bouvard Snr. (French, 1875-1955) Oil on canvas, original, gilt wood frame, Signed, lower right 20 3/4 x 28 1/2 (28 1/2 x 37 frame) inches Anto...
Canvas, Oil
"Summer Day at Nice" French Beach Scene Impressionistic Oil Painting on Canvas
Located in New York, NY
A stunning oil painting scene depicting figures by the beach in a sunny day at Nice, France done in the 20th Century. The vibrant colors and impressionistic brushwork is done with bo...
Canvas, Oil
20th Century Paris Street Scene 'Place du Châtelet' by Antoine Blanchard
Located in St. Albans, GB
Antoine Blanchard 20th Century. Picture size: 15 x 30" (38 x 75cm) Outside Frame Size: 22 x 37 (56 x 94cm) Signed bottom right Oil on canvas BIOGRAPHY - Antoine Blanchard (1910 - 1...
Oil, Canvas
Impressionist Seascape of Cap Corse and The Ligurian Sea. Oil on Board.
Located in Cotignac, FR
A colourful Impressionist seascape of Cap Corse by C Benali. The painting is signed bottom right and a location, Grischoni, Cap Corse, to the backboard. Presented in patinated silver...
Oil, Board
$940Sale Price|20% Off
Fine Antique French Impressionist Painting Coastal Seascape with Boat at Sunset
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
The artist: Henri Aime Duhem (1860-1941) French *see notes below, signed Title: Sunset Medium: signed gouache on paper, loosely laid over card, unfram...
Gouache
$902
Isola del Garda. Oil, autumn, landscape. Horizontal, floral, impressionism
Located in Oslo, NO
The landscape painting of Isola del Garda is painted in the impressionism style en plein air on Lake Garda in Italy. "That day, my friends and I were painting at a private villa, w...
Oil
$574Sale Price|20% Off
“Bouquet of sunflowers in a white vase” Original Flower painting . Home decor
Located in Oslo, NO
This artwork showcases a vibrant bouquet of sunflowers arranged in a simple white vase, capturing the essence of rustic charm. The sunflowers are depicted in varying stages of bloom,...
Paper, Gouache
$1,592Sale Price|20% Off
Simans Large Vintage Dutch Oil painting on canvas, Landscape, Gold Leaf Frame
Located in Palm Coast, FL
Up for sale is this vintage original Duch oil painting on canvas depicting a serene winter landscape in a rural mountain village. The scene features a snow-covered hillside with two ...
Oil
$425Sale Price|20% Off
French Impressionist Oil Painting of Figures Walking in Snowy Townscape at Dusk
By Fanch Lel
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
Title: French Impressionist Oil Painting of Figures Walking in Snowy Townscape at Dusk By Fanch Lel (French b. 1930) Size: 6.25 x 9.5 inches (height x width) Oil painting on board, u...
Oil
$700Sale Price|76% Off
Secret Getaway
Located in Atlanta, GA
Manuel Lorente is a contemporary artist from Valencia, Spain. Since a young child Lorente describes being mesmerized and drawn to art. He fondly recalls that his family took him to ...
Canvas, Oil
$1,327Sale Price|20% Off
1950's English Marine Oil Painting Three Masted Sailing Ships Choppy Seas
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
Sailing on the High Seas English School, mid 20th century oil on canvas, framed framed: 19.5 x 25.5 inches canvas: 14 x 20 inches provenance: private collection, England condition: v...
Oil, Canvas
“Wild Horse Ride”
Located in Southampton, NY
Louis Ferdinand Malespina (France, 1874 -1949) The painting depicts a wild horse race. Condition is very good. Circa 1900. Oil on mahogany wooden panel. Signed lower right “L. Mal...
Board, 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