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.
Vintage Watercolor Still Life -- The Antique Store Santa Cruz
By Ross Jones
Located in Soquel, CA
Vintage Watercolor Still Life -- The Antique Store Santa Cruz Watercolor of an antiques store titled "Paradox" by Ross Jones (American, 20th century). Signed "Ross Jones" lower right...
Paper, Watercolor
$610Sale Price|20% Off
French Village Landscape in Impressionist Style
By Fanch Lel
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
Title: French Village Landscape in Impressionist Style By Fanch Lel (French b. 1930) Size: 5.25 x 6.75 inches (height x width) Signed: Bottom right Oil painting on board, unframed Co...
Oil
$360Sale Price|20% Off
H. De Ruyser Vintage oil painting on canvas, Seascape, Framed
Located in Palm Coast, FL
This is an original vintage oil painting on canvas depicting a nautical scene, with a large sailing ship in a choppy ocean. This is a classic maritime style, one that is so rarely ...
Oil
Pine trees in a river valley with the Blue Ridge Mountains - American School
Located in Middletown, NY
An unfinished but spirited plein-air composition of what appears to be the Shenandoah or Potomac River valley with the Blue Ridge Mountains in the distance. Watercolor on board with...
Crayon, Watercolor, Board
$1,440Sale Price|20% Off
Village Oil Painting, Impressionist Style, 20th Century, Signed
Located in Belgrade, MT
This oil painting is original and signed by the artist. I have owned this piece since the early 1970's. The oil depicts a village and is vibrant in color.
Oil
Harbor Scene, Rockport, Massachusetts, Oil on Canvas, Signed, 36x30
Located in Bryn Mawr, PA
Harbor Scene, Rockport, Massachusetts Oil on canvas, 36 x 30 inches (91.4 x 76.2 cm) Signed lower left: H.A. Vincent. Signed and inscribed on verso: H. A. Vincent A. NA / Rockport, M...
Canvas, Oil
In Between
Located in Zofingen, AG
This work reflects a state of waiting and diffused attention, where the presence of others is felt but has not yet become an encounter. The space is filled with movement and pauses, ...
Canvas, Acrylic
$480Sale Price|20% Off
Large original oil painting on canvas, Venice, Italy, Signed, Framed
Located in Palm Coast, FL
Up for sale is an original large oil painting on canvas, depicting Venice, Italy. Signed in the lower-left corner probably Tom. Presented in a nice wood frame. Condition: The pa...
Oil
"Road to Lake Nockamixon" Impressionist Pastoral Snow Scene Oil Painting Framed
Located in New York, NY
A charming Impressionist winter snow-covered pastoral scene depicting the road to Lake Nockamixon in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. This piece is executed in an intimate yet energetic m...
Oil, Board
Italian Impressionist Watercolour COLOURFUL ITALIAN GARDEN SCENE 1920's ART DECO
Located in Cirencester, GB
ARTIST: Giorgio De Wolff (early 20th Century) Italian TITLE: "Italian Summer Garden Border" SIGNED: lower left and dated 1929 MEDIUM: watercolour SIZE: 66cm x 58cm inclusive of fram...
Watercolor
Large Fox Hunting Oil Painting Horse Rider Equestrian Scene English Sporting Art
Located in Palm Coast, FL
This impressive large oil on canvas painting depicts a dramatic fox hunting scene, capturing a rider in a classic red hunting coat mid-jump as the horse clears a rustic fence. In the...
Oil
Saint Sebastian, Classic Art, Original oil Painting, Ready to Hang
Located in Granada Hills, CA
Artist: Alexander Litvinov Work: Original oil painting, handmade artwork, one of a kind Medium: Oil on Canvas Style: Classic Figurative Year: 1991 Title: Saint Sebastian Size: 20" x...
Canvas, Oil
Mediterranean Garden Pool Terrace Watercolour Colourful Botanical Painting
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
Title: Mediterranean Garden Pool Terrace Watercolour Colourful Botanical Painting Artist: French School, 20th century, indistinctly signed Medium: watercolour and gouache on paper / ...
Watercolor
Sunflowers Oil Painting on Cardboard, Impressionist Style, 2010+
By Simon Kozhin
Located in Zofingen, AG
This artwork depicts a vibrant garden, radiating life through a masterful use of color and texture. The scene is dominated by rich greenery, capturing the lushness of nature with dyn...
Oil, Cardboard
$2,500
"Neve in Val Ceresio" Mid Century Impressionist Landscape Oil Painting in Snow
Located in New York, NY
This stunning piece of art titled "Neve in Val Ceresio" is a captivating original work by renowned Italian artist Carlo Aimetti. Aimetti was known for his captivating scenes portrayi...
Oil, Canvas
$561Sale Price|20% Off
French Impressionist Oil Painting of Small Boats Anchored by the Shore
By Fanch Lel
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
Title: French Impressionist Oil Painting of Small Boats Anchored by the Shore By Fanch Lel (French b. 1930) Size: 8.75 x 10.75 inches (height x width) Signed: Yes Oil painting on boa...
Oil
'The Plaza, Sunset Glow' — 1920s Signed Drypoint, Central Park, NYC
Located in Myrtle Beach, SC
Walter Tittle, 'The Plaza, Sunset Glow', drypoint, c. 1920s, edition not stated. Signed in pencil and initialed in the plate, lower right. Titled 'The Plaza, Sunset' and annotated 'no. 165' in ink, in the bottom left sheet corner. A superb, luminous impression in dark brown ink, with selectively wiped plate tone; on cream wove paper; the full sheet with margins (1 to 2 1/4 inches). Pale tape stains on the top sheet edge, recto, well away from the image, otherwise in excellent condition. Matted to museum standards, unframed. Image size 11 3/4 x 6 15/16 inches (299 x 176 mm); sheet size 15 11/16 x 9 inches (399 x 229 mm). A view across 'The Pond' in New York City's Central Park, toward Grand Army Plaza...
Drypoint
The Hunters and Billy
Located in Genève, GE
Oil on canvas signed This oil on canvas by Georges Darel, titled The Hunters and Billy) depicts a quiet rural roadside scene animated by understated human presence. The composition ...
Oil, Canvas
Lilacs, Flowers, Original oil Painting, Ready to Hang
Located in Granada Hills, CA
Artist: Vahe Yeremyan Work: Original Oil Painting, Handmade Artwork, One of a Kind Medium: Oil on Canvas Year: 2021 Style: Impressionism, Subject: Lilacs, Size: 24.5" x 30.5" x 0...
Canvas, Oil
"Bateaux a Carnac" Impressionist Marine Landscape Oil Painting on Canvas
Located in New York, NY
This stunning piece of art titled “Bateaux a Carnac" is a captivating original work by renowned artist Yolande Ardissoner. Ardissoner was mostly known for her playful and sophisticat...
Canvas, Oil
Snowy Forest Road at Sunset – A Rare Nordic Winter Scene
Located in Stockholm, SE
Johan (John Kindborg) (1861-1907) Sweden Nordic Winter Twilight, 1901 oil on canvas signed and dated Kindborg 01. unframed: 48.5 x 33 cm (19 1/8 x 13 in) framed: 58 x 43 cm (22 7/8...
Canvas, Oil
Early 20th century Impressionist landscape with figures in elegant dresses
Located in Woodbury, CT
Edward Bent Walker (British, 1850–1917) Figures on a Sunlit Common Circa 1900 Oil on panel Signed lower left A light-filled and spirited composition, this charming landscape by Edw...
Oil, Wood Panel
Coast at East Gloucester
Located in Grand Rapids, MI
Frederick John Mulhaupt (American, 1871-1938) Signed: Mulhaupt, (lower, right) & inscribed on board verso, F. Mulhaupt " Coast at East Gloucester ", circa 1907-1910 (inscribed on...
Oil, Board
"SEA OF BLUE" BLUEBONNETS TEXAS HILL COUNTRY TEXAS WILDFLOWERS
Located in San Antonio, TX
Robert Harrison (Born 1949) San Antonio Artist Image Size: 18 x 24 Frame Size: 24 x 30 Medium: Oil on Canvas Signed "Sea of Blue" Bluebonnets Biography Robert Harrison (Born 1949) Ro...
Oil
Once Upon a Time, Original Painting
By Nava Lundy
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
This painting captures one of those fleeting moments that somehow stay with us long after it has passed. A child is fully absorbed in imagination, creating an e...
Acrylic
TEXAS BLUEBONNETS TEXAS HILL COUNTRY TEXAS WILDFLOWERS
Located in San Antonio, TX
Robert Harrison (Born 1949) San Antonio Artist Image Size: 11 x 14 Frame Size: 16 x 20 Medium: Oil on Canvas "Bluebonnets" Biography Robert Harrison (Born 1949) Robert Harrison was b...
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
$495Sale Price|20% Off
Impressionist Market Street Scene with Figures and Arches in a Historic City
By Fanch Lel
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
Title: Impressionist Market Street Scene with Figures and Arches in a Historic City by Fanch Lel Size: 10.75 inches (height) x 8.75 inches (width)...
Oil
Vue de Provence - 1930's Impressionist South France Landscape Oil Painting
Located in Sevenoaks, GB
A very beautiful 1930's impressionist oil on canvas depicting a landscape in Provence, by Yuri Yuryevich Cherkessof. Superb quality work by this important Russian painter who moved ...
Canvas, Oil
"Washington Square Park Nocturne" Impressionist Oil Painting with Figures in NYC
By Johann Berthelsen, 1883-1972
Located in New York, NY
A stunning jewel and pertinent example of Berthelsen's charming New York City scenes. Here we find a Washington Square Park at night and the Manhattan buildings depicted in the far b...
Canvas, Oil, Board
$11,000
Workshop at Maggie Figurative Impressionism Original oil Painting, Ready to Hang
By Vadim Zang
Located in Granada Hills, CA
Artist: Vadim Zang Title: Workshop at Maggie’s Medium: Oil on Linen Year: 2011 Style: Figurative Impressionism Dimensions: 28" x 22" x 0.8" inch (71 x 56 x 2cm) Presentation: Unframe...
Canvas, Linen, Oil
$48Sale Price|20% Off
La Terrasse Offset Print, Impressionist Style, Circa 1918, Excellent
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This rare exhibition poster features Pierre Bonnard’s La Terrasse, created around 1918–1920, and published as part of the Collection of European Masters for the Kunstsammlung Nordrhe...
Offset
$882
Garden with a white sun lounger . Original landscape painting. Impasto. Frame
Located in Oslo, NO
A sun-drenched garden unfolds with tactile energy. Thick impasto strokes build a landscape of vivid emotion. The artist employs a rich palette of crimson and emerald. These colors da...
Oil, Board
Early 20th Century French Impressionist River Landscape Oil Painting
Located in Cotignac, FR
A French Impressionist oil on canvas view of a river in parkland by the noted French artist Albert Uriet. The painting is signed and dated bottom right and is presented in a fine car...
Oil
$154Sale Price|88% Off
Mid Century French Watercolour Walled Garden Blossom Tree Landscape
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
French Landscape Josine Vignon (French 1922-2022) ...
Watercolor, Ballpoint Pen
$1,440Sale Price|20% Off
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
Oil painting on canvas, European Flower Market Scene, Signed R.Kardau, framed
Located in Palm Coast, FL
This is an original oil painting on canvas by European Artist R.Kardau (XX). This painting depicts a vibrant riverside scene, capturing a market bustling with life along a waterfr...
Oil
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
Spring is Coming Soon, Impressionism, Original oil Painting, Ready to Hang
Located in Granada Hills, CA
Artist: Alex Kalenyuk Work: Original oil painting, handmade artwork, one of a kind Medium: Oil on canvas Year: 2021 Style: Impressionism Title: Spring is coming Soon Size: 8" x 12...
Canvas, Oil
$979Sale Price|25% Off
Still Life of a Vase of Pink Red & White Roses by 20th Century American Artist
By Robert Cox
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
$588Sale Price|33% Off
Spanish Pier Seascape Oil on Canvas Painting, 33x41 cm, Antique
Located in Sitges, Barcelona
Canvas size 33x41 cm. Frame size 56x64 cm.
Oil, Canvas
"Le Jardin de Monet, II" (2023) by Leigh Ann Van Fossan, Oil Painting, Lily Pond
Located in Denver, CO
Leigh Ann Van Fossan's "Le Jardin de Monet, II" is an original, handmade oil painting that depicts an impression of a lily pond. Van Fossan was born in Vail, Colorado, and began oi...
Canvas, Oil
$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
$770Sale Price|20% Off
20th Century French Oil Painting A Summer French Coastline
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
A Summer French Coastline French School, mid-late 20th century unsigned oil painting on canvas textured paper (reverse side is smooth, the painted side looks and feels as canvas), un...
Canvas, Oil
$874Sale Price|20% Off
Impressionist Nude, Atmospheric Colour, Oil Painting
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
Impressionist Nude, Atmospheric Colour, Oil Painting By French artist Garnvault, 20th Century Signed by the artist verso Oil painting on canvas, unframed Canvas size: 15 x 21.5 inche...
Oil
KaDi Pan Landscape Original Oil Painting "Little Garden"
By KaDi Pan
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
November Light. Contemporary Oil Painting
Located in Brecon, Powys
Phillip was fascinated by the light of the low autumn sun shining through a hazel tree hedge. In this painting he's tried to paint the equivalent of that experience concentrating on...
Oil
Impressionist Norfolk landscape painting, circle of Edward Seago, Arnesby Brown
By Owen Waters
Located in Harkstead, GB
A really lovely example of the artist's work providing a snapshot of a Norfolk summer landscape with a windmill and white flash of a sail at the end of the country lane. Owen Waters...
Oil, Board
$1,045Sale Price|20% Off
Market Day - Mid 20th Century Italian Impressionist Town Street Oil Painting
Located in Sevenoaks, GB
A beautiful mid 20th century Italian oil on board depicting market day in an old town. Superbly painted work with lovely impasto brushwork. Indis...
Oil
"Italian Caffe Scene by the Park" Impressionist Oil Painting with Figures Framed
Located in New York, NY
A whimsical oil painting depicting a Cafe scene with figures in Paris by the Park during spring by Luigi Cagliani. As an Italian Impressionist artist, most of Cagliani's works were p...
Canvas, Oil
$1,820
French Mid Century Impressionist landscape, Le Trayas, Côte d’Azur France
Located in Woodbury, CT
Lucien Potronat (1905–1981) “Le Trayas, Côte d’Azur”, circa 1950 Oil on canvas Signed lower right Original French frame This radiant oil painting by French artist Lucien Potronat ...
Canvas, Oil
Signed Impressionist Scenic Landscape by Gaston Balande
Located in St. Albans, GB
Gaston Balande (1880-1971) Antique Oil on Canvas Painting. Picture Size 20 X 26", 51 X 66 cm Frame Size 28 x 34", 71 x 86.5 cm Gaston BALANDE (1880-1971) Gaston Balande was born in...
Canvas, Oil
Antique American Bucolic Landscape Chickens Grazing Framed Oil Painting
By August Laux
Located in Buffalo, NY
Antique American barnyard chicken grazing oil painting by August Laux (1853 - 1921). Oil on canvas. Signed. Framed. Measuring: 18 by 22 inches overall, and 10 by 14 painting alone. E...
Oil, Canvas
After the ball, painting, portrait, framed, belle epoque
Located in PARIS, FR
Albert Bréauté (1854-1941) After the Ball, 1894 Oil on canvas 65 x 54 cm 77 x 66.5 cm with frame Signed and dated lower left 1894 Exhibition: Society of Friends of the Arts of Seine...
Canvas, Oil
$792Sale Price|20% Off
Sunlit Fields and Shadowed Peaks in a Mountainous French Oil Painting
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
Sunlit Field Landscape dated 1994 signed by Georges Bordonave (French contemporary) oil painting on canvas, unframed canvas: 20 x 25.5 inches condition: very good provenance: from a ...
Oil
“Palm Trees Along Florida Coast, c. 1940” Jane Peterson Impressionist Palm Beach
Located in Yardley, PA
A wonderful example of Peterson’s views of the Florida Coast during her winter trips down south. Painted during Peterson’s mature period, this lively work underscores the energy of ...
Canvas, Oil
$137Sale Price|20% Off
Mid Century French Illustration Yellow Daffodil Watercolour Sketch
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
Josine Vignon (French 1922-2022) ...
Watercolor
$1,600
Impressionistic Rural Farm Landscape Painting Michael Budden Sunrise Colors
Located in Chesterfield, NJ
Sunrise Colors The image measures 11 x 14 unframed and 17.75 x 20.75 framed signed LR Sunrise Colors is an impressionistic landscape plein air oil painting that I did on location in ...
Oil
Beachcombers, Oil Painting
By Aruna Rao
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
A mother watches as her child searches for small treasures in the sand as the golden afternoon light shines across the shore. She savors this timeless scene of ...
Oil
"Yacht at the pier"
Located in Edinburgh, GB
The painting depicts a quiet Croatian coastal harbor, where snow-white yachts bob at a wooden pier. Their masts are reflected in the calm water, broken only by gentle ripples. Beyond...
Canvas, Oil