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.
Colorado River, Painting, Oil on Other
Located in Yardley, PA
original dead horse point contemporary impressionism oil on canvas :: Painting :: Impressionist :: This piece comes with an official certificate of a...
Oil
New Mexico Chapel, Painting, Oil on Other
Located in Yardley, PA
Old New Mexico Chapel paint at location in contemporary impressionism style :: Painting :: Impressionist :: This piece comes with an official certificat...
Oil
Winter Wonderland, Painting, Oil on Other
Located in Yardley, PA
Winter landscape original en plein air oil on panel paint in contemporary impressionism style :: Painting :: Impressionist :: This piece comes with an official certificate of authent...
Oil
Hills in Green, Painting, Oil on Wood Panel
Located in Yardley, PA
original en plein air oil on panel paint in contemporary impressionism style :: Painting :: Impressionist :: This piece comes with an official certificate of authenticity signed by t...
Oil
Colorado Autumn, Painting, Oil on Other
Located in Yardley, PA
original en plein air oil on panel paint near Durango, Colorado :: Painting :: Impressionist :: This piece comes with an official certificate of authenticity signed by the artist :: ...
Oil
Winter Silence, Painting, Oil on Wood Panel
Located in Yardley, PA
original winter en plein air oil on panel :: Painting :: Impressionist :: This piece comes with an official certificate of authenticity signed by the artist :: Ready to Hang: No :: S...
Oil
Autumn Color, Painting, Oil on Other
Located in Yardley, PA
Original plein air oil on panel For Holiday season this painting is priced $1000.00 from original value $1450.00 with free shipping. :: Painting :: Impressionist :: This piece co...
Oil
Overnight Snow, Painting, Oil on Other
Located in Yardley, PA
original en plein air oil on panel :: Painting :: Impressionist :: This piece comes with an official certificate of authenticity signed by the artist :: Ready to Hang: No :: Signed:...
Oil
Horse Sketch #1, Painting, Oil on Wood Panel
Located in Yardley, PA
original contemporary impressionism oil on panel horse painting :: Painting :: Impressionist :: This piece comes with an official certificate of authenticity signed by the artist :: ...
Oil
White Farm, Painting, Oil on Other
Located in Yardley, PA
Original en plein air oil on panel :: Painting :: Impressionist :: This piece comes with an official certificate of authenticity signed by the artist :: Ready to Hang: No :: Signed: ...
Oil
Frozen Stream, Painting, Oil on Wood Panel
Located in Yardley, PA
original winter en plein air landscape paint in contemporary impressionism style :: Painting :: Impressionist :: This piece comes with an official certificate of authenticity signed ...
Oil
Cold Day, Painting, Oil on Wood Panel
Located in Yardley, PA
original winter landscape oil on panel paint in contemporary impressionism style :: Painting :: Impressionist :: This piece comes with an official certificate of authenticity signed ...
Oil
Forest Stream, Painting, Oil on Other
Located in Yardley, PA
original en plein air oil on panel paint in contemporary impressionism style :: Painting :: Impressionist :: This piece comes with an official certificate of authenticity signed by t...
Oil
20th St, Painting, Oil on Other
Located in Yardley, PA
Original cityscape oil on panel painting 20th St , Denver :: Painting :: Impressionist :: This piece comes with an official certificate of authenticity signed by the artist :: Ready...
Oil
Desert Farm, Painting, Oil on Wood Panel
Located in Yardley, PA
original oil on panel paint in contemporary impressionism style :: Painting :: Impressionist :: This piece comes with an official certificate of authenticity signed by the artist :: ...
Oil
Farm Building, Painting, Oil on Wood Panel
Located in Yardley, PA
original en plein air oil on panel paint in Steamboat, Colorado :: Painting :: Impressionist :: This piece comes with an official certificate of authenticity signed by the artist :: ...
Oil
Frozen Color, Painting, Oil on Wood Panel
Located in Yardley, PA
original plein air winter landscape :: Painting :: Impressionist :: This piece comes with an official certificate of authenticity signed by the artist :: Ready to Hang: No :: Signed...
Oil
One Winter Day, Painting, Oil on Wood Panel
Located in Yardley, PA
original en plein air winter farm landscape paint in contemporary impressionism style :: Painting :: Impressionist :: This piece comes with an official certificate of authenticity si...
Oil
Long waiting rain, Painting, Oil on Wood Panel
Located in Yardley, PA
original plein air sky and landscape oil on panel :: Painting :: Impressionist :: This piece comes with an official certificate of authenticity signed by the artist :: Ready to Hang:...
Oil
Deer, Painting, Oil on Wood Panel
Located in Yardley, PA
Two Deer in Utah mountain Original oil on panel paint in contemporary impressionism style :: Painting :: Impressionist :: This piece comes with an o...
Oil
Mountain Stream, Painting, Oil on Wood Panel
Located in Yardley, PA
original en plein air oil on panel paint in Idaho :: Painting :: Impressionist :: This piece comes with an official certificate of authenticity signed by the artist :: Ready to Hang...
Oil
Glowing in Gold, Painting, Oil on Wood Panel
Located in Yardley, PA
Original Autumn plein air oil on panel :: Painting :: Impressionist :: This piece comes with an official certificate of authenticity signed by the artist :: Ready to Hang: No :: Sign...
Oil
Edge of River, Painting, Oil on Other
Located in Yardley, PA
original landscape oil on panel painting in contemporary impressionism style :: Painting :: Impressionist :: This piece comes with an official certificate of authenticity signed by t...
Oil
February Snow, Painting, Oil on Other
Located in Yardley, PA
original en plein air oil on panel paint in contemporary impressionism style :: Painting :: Impressionist :: This piece comes with an official certificate of authenticity signed by t...
Oil
New Snow, Painting, Oil on Wood Panel
Located in Yardley, PA
original en plein air oil on panel winter landscape paint in Lair O' the Bear :: Painting :: Impressionist :: This piece comes with an official certificate of authenticity signed by ...
Oil
Forest Pond Abstract, Painting, Oil on Other
Located in Yardley, PA
original oil on panel for holiday season painting is priced $ 325.00 from original value $ 650.00 :: Painting :: Impressionist :: This piece comes with an official certificate of a...
Oil
Gold Mill, Painting, Oil on Wood Panel
Located in Yardley, PA
Original fine art oil on panel paint in contemporary impressionism style :: Painting :: Impressionist :: This piece comes with an official certificate of...
Oil
Field Flowers, Painting, Oil on MDF Panel
Located in Yardley, PA
original plein air oil on MDF panel :: Painting :: Impressionist :: This piece comes with an official certificate of authenticity signed by the artist :: Ready to Hang: No :: Signed:...
Oil
Ballet V, Painting, Oil on Wood Panel
Located in Yardley, PA
original oil on panel paint in contemporary impressionism style :: Painting :: Impressionist :: This piece comes with an official certificate of authenticity signed by the artist :: ...
Oil
Big Dry Creek East, Painting, Oil on Canvas
Located in Yardley, PA
Spring melt snow by Big Dry Creek Original oil on canvas :: Painting :: Impressionist :: This piece comes with an official certificate of authenticity signe...
Oil
Water for Horse, Painting, Oil on Wood Panel
Located in Yardley, PA
Original oil on panel paint in Contemporary Impressionism Style :: Painting :: Impressionist :: This piece comes with an official certificate of authenticity signed by the artist :: ...
Oil
10 September 2019, Painting, Oil on Other
Located in Yardley, PA
original botanical oil on panel :: Painting :: Impressionist :: This piece comes with an official certificate of authenticity signed by the artist :: Ready to Hang: No :: Signed: Ye...
Oil
Garden, Painting, Oil on Other
Located in Yardley, PA
"Garden" original oil on panel paint in contemporary impressionism style :: Painting :: Impressionist :: This piece comes with an official certificate of authenticity signed by the ...
Oil
Dining Out, Painting, Oil on Wood Panel
Located in Yardley, PA
original oil on panel paint in contemporary impressionism style :: Painting :: Impressionist :: This piece comes with an official certificate of authenticity signed by the artist :: ...
Oil
Trail, Painting, Oil on Wood Panel
Located in Yardley, PA
original winter landscape en plein oil on panel :: Painting :: Impressionist :: This piece comes with an official certificate of authenticity signed by the artist :: Ready to Hang: N...
Oil
Road Work, Painting, Oil on Other
Located in Yardley, PA
Painting is about road workers original oil on panel :: Painting :: Impressionist :: This piece comes with an official certificate of authenticity signed by the artist :: Ready to H...
Oil
The Barn, Painting, Oil on Wood Panel
Located in Yardley, PA
original en plein air oil on panel :: Painting :: Impressionist :: This piece comes with an official certificate of authenticity signed by the artist :: Ready to Hang: No :: Signed:...
Oil
Horse Sketch #6, Painting, Oil on Wood Panel
Located in Yardley, PA
original Horse artwork oil on panel :: Painting :: Impressionist :: This piece comes with an official certificate of authenticity signed by the artist :...
Oil
16th St, Painting, Oil on Other
Located in Yardley, PA
original Denver cityscape oil on panel paint in contemporary impressionism style :: Painting :: Impressionist :: This piece comes with an official certificate of authenticity signed ...
Oil
Abandoned, Painting, Oil on Wood Panel
Located in Yardley, PA
Abandoned house original en plein air oil on panel paint in Victor Colorado :: Painting :: Impressionist :: This piece comes with an official certifica...
Oil
Plum Creek, Painting, Oil on Wood Panel
Located in Yardley, PA
original en plein air oil on panel :: Painting :: Impressionist :: This piece comes with an official certificate of authenticity signed by the artist :: Ready to Hang: No :: Signed:...
Oil
Snow Day, Painting, Oil on Other
Located in Yardley, PA
original winter plein air landscape paint in contemporary impressionism style :: Painting :: Impressionist :: This piece comes with an official certificate of authenticity signed by ...
Oil
Whatville, Painting, Oil on Wood Panel
Located in Yardley, PA
original en plein air oil on panel paint in contemporary impressionism style in Whatville New Mexico :: Painting :: Impressionist :: This piece comes with an official certificate of...
Oil
Littleton Property, Painting, Oil on Wood Panel
Located in Yardley, PA
original cityscape oil on panel :: Painting :: Impressionist :: This piece comes with an official certificate of authenticity signed by the artist :: Ready to Hang: No :: Signed: Yes...
Oil
Snowfall, Painting, Oil on Wood Panel
Located in Yardley, PA
Winter en plein air landscape oil on panel painting :: Painting :: Impressionist :: This piece comes with an official certificate of authenticity signed by the artist :: Ready to Han...
Oil
Farm Barn, Painting, Oil on Other
Located in Yardley, PA
Original en plein air oil on panel paint in contemporary impressionism style :: Painting :: Impressionist :: This piece comes with an official certificate of authenticity signed by t...
Oil
Edge of Creek, Painting, Oil on Canvas
Located in Yardley, PA
original oil on canvas paint from en plein air :: Painting :: Impressionist :: This piece comes with an official certificate of authenticity signed by the artist :: Ready to Hang: Y...
Oil
Barn, Painting, Oil on Other
Located in Yardley, PA
original en plein air oil on panel :: Painting :: Impressionist :: This piece comes with an official certificate of authenticity signed by the artist :: Ready to Hang: No :: Signed:...
Oil
Country Life, Painting, Oil on Wood Panel
Located in Yardley, PA
original en plein air oil on panel :: Painting :: Impressionist :: This piece comes with an official certificate of authenticity signed by the artist :: Ready to Hang: No :: Signed: ...
Oil
Rooster, Painting, Oil on Wood Panel
Located in Yardley, PA
original image of the Rooster oil on panel painting :: Painting :: Impressionist :: This piece comes with an official certificate of authenticity signed by the artist :: Ready to Han...
Oil
Littleton #3, Painting, Oil on Wood Panel
Located in Yardley, PA
original en plein air winter cityscape oil on panel :: Painting :: Impressionist :: This piece comes with an official certificate of authenticity signed by the artist :: Ready to Han...
Oil
Afternoon Sky, Painting, Oil on Wood Panel
Located in Yardley, PA
Afternoon sky changing color for night original oil on panel :: Painting :: Impressionist :: This piece comes with an official certificate of authenticity signed by the artist :: Re...
Oil
Desert Living, Painting, Oil on Wood Panel
Located in Yardley, PA
original en plein air oil on panel paint in New Mexico :: Painting :: Impressionist :: This piece comes with an official certificate of authenticity signed by the artist :: Ready to ...
Oil
Boulders and Rocks, Painting, Oil on Other
Located in Yardley, PA
original oil on panel for holiday season painting is priced $435.00 from original value $865.00 :: Painting :: Impressionist :: This piece comes with an official certificate of auth...
Oil
Virgin River, Painting, Oil on Wood Panel
Located in Yardley, PA
original contemporary impressionism Virgin River in Zion oil on panel :: Painting :: Impressionist :: This piece comes with an official certificate of authenticity signed by the arti...
Oil
Dry Creek Summer, Painting, Oil on Wood Panel
Located in Yardley, PA
original en plein air Dry Creek oil on panel :: Painting :: Impressionist :: This piece comes with an official certificate of authenticity signed by the artist :: Ready to Hang: No :...
Oil
Morning Utah, Painting, Oil on Other
Located in Yardley, PA
Original en plein air oil on panel paint in contemporary impressionism style :: Painting :: Impressionist :: This piece comes with an official certificate of authenticity signed by t...
Oil
Desert Color, Painting, Oil on Wood Panel
Located in Yardley, PA
Original New Mexico landscape oil on panel paint in contemporary impressionism style :: Painting :: Impressionist :: This piece comes with an ...
Oil
Deep in the Forest, Painting, Oil on Wood Panel
Located in Yardley, PA
Original en plein air oil on panel paint in Colorado Forest :: Painting :: Impressionist :: This piece comes with an official certificate of authenticity signed by the artist :: Read...
Oil
November in NM, Painting, Oil on Wood Panel
Located in Yardley, PA
original en plein air oil on panel paint near Ghost Ranch in New Mexico :: Painting :: Impressionist :: This piece comes with an official certificate of authenticity signed by the ar...
Oil