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.
"Afternoon Glow" Colorful Serigraph of Lahaina Harbor, Maui
By John Cosby
Located in Laguna Beach, CA
This 90 color hand pulled serigraph exhibits all of the subtle brushwork, light, and color that the artist is known for. "Afternoon Glow" is signed by the artist in an edition of 240...
Screen
$2,208Sale Price|20% Off
Nude, oil painting, impressionistic, live model. Nudes across mediums
Located in Oslo, NO
This intimate oil painting captures a moment of quiet rest and vulnerability. Painted alla prima, the artist works swiftly and expressively, allowing brushstrokes to remain visible a...
Canvas, Oil
Figures At The Summer's Day French Parasol Market Landscape Oil Painting
By Fanch Lel
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
Summers Market Signed by Fanch Lel Size: 13 x 16 inches (height x width) Oil painting on board , unframed Condition: Good condition overall with minor surface handling marks and ligh...
Oil
Abstract Pastel Regatta Scene with Sailboats on Calm Water
By Fanch Lel
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
Title: Abstract Pastel Regatta Scene with Sailboats on Calm Water By Fanch Lel Signed: Yes Size: 13 x 16.25 inches (height x width) Oil painting on board, unframed Condition: The pa...
Oil
The Tow path: figures by the Seine River, luminous sky, French Impressionist oil
Located in Norwich, GB
Like many of the great French Impressionists Emile Cagniart (1851-1911) was inspired by the River Seine and its surrounding landscapes between in Ile de France and Normandy. Interest...
Canvas, Oil
'Jossing Fjord' by Norman Harper, Oil on Canvas
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
This 32" x 32.75" x 3" oil on canvas painting is by Scottish artist, Norman Harper. This landscape painting depicts a serene mountain valley with a body of water at its center. The c...
Canvas, Oil
$1,400
"St. Patrick's Cathedral on Fifth" Impressionist Oil Painting Snow New York City
By Cindy Shaoul
Located in New York, NY
A charming depiction of St. Patrick's Cathedral on 5th Avenue in the snow with figures and cars. This evocative urban winter scene captures the majestic spires of St. Patrick's Cathe...
Oil, Board
1900's French Impressionist Watercolor Portrait Lady Overlooking Balcony Garden
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
The Garden View French School, early 20th century signed with initials lower corner watercolour painting on artist paper, framed Glass covering framed: 13 x 10.5 inches board: 10 x 8...
Watercolor
$3,500
"Saranac, New York" Henry August Schwabe, Impressionist New York Landscape
Located in New York, NY
Henry August Schwabe Saranac, New York, 1902 Signed, titled, and dated lower left Oil on canvas 12 x 16 inches Provenance Private Collection, Vermont A painter, designer, and teac...
Canvas, Oil
$2,825Sale Price|20% Off
Ocean and Sky, a Hawaiian Morning. Large square seascape, storm waves, blue sky
Located in Oslo, NO
This painting was created entirely from life during the winter on the North Shore of Oahu, Hawaii. "Several times at dawn I went out with a large canvas, setting up my easel right ...
Canvas, Oil
$2,436
Sunset on the Coast - Antique Danish Impressionist Sea Seascape Oil Painting
Located in Sevenoaks, GB
* No US duty or taxes to pay on this item * A very beautiful signed and dated 1900 impressionist oil on board depicting a sunset on the coast, by Danish artist Holger Lübbers...
Oil, Board
Sea of Clouds, Oil Painting
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
Towering cumulus clouds drift overhead and provide shade to the beach below. The contrast between the monumental sky and the quiet human presence on the shore speaks to humans' small but significant place in the natural world. Painted with oil on canvas, this impressionist seascape evokes tranquility.
About the Artist
Artist Aruna Rao paints impressionistic seascapes that capture the shimmer of light, the movement of water, and the quiet poetry of coastal life. "I am endlessly inspired by how light transforms a scene, softening the atmosphere and turning an ordinary moment into something unforgettable," says Aruna. Growing up in a literary family in India, she was surrounded by stories and art, which sparked her love of narrative and visual expression. After a 20-year career in IT, she returned to painting, earning an MFA with top honors from the Academy of Art University in San Francisco. Living in Florida offers endless inspiration, from sunrise beaches and glowing horizons to quiet harbors and small human moments that evoke joy and nostalgia. Influenced by French Impressionists and contemporary coastal painters, Aruna creates luminous works that invite the viewer to pause, breathe, and rediscover the beauty of the present moment. When she is not painting, she enjoys beach walks, discovering music, watching films with her husband, and spending time with their two cats.
Words that describe this painting: cloudscape, cloud, beach, coast, shore, summer, Marc Hanson...
Oil
$700
"Walking By The Plaza at Twilight -NYC-" Impressionist Street Scene Oil Painting
By Cindy Shaoul
Located in New York, NY
A charming depiction of The Plaza Hotel in New York City with figures walking down the street, with a horse and carriage scene in the distance. A cozy impressionistic street scene wi...
Oil, Board
French Impressionist Still Life of Yellow and Red Roses in Copper Vase
By Fanch Lel
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
Title: French Impressionist Still Life of Yellow and Red Roses in Copper Vase By Fanch Lel Signed: Yes Size: 16.25 x 13 inches (height x width) Oil painting on board, unframed Condit...
Oil
Flowers. Copper
Located in Zofingen, AG
This small painting will decorate a wall in a bedroom or living room. It will fit harmoniously into a composition of several paintings of different sizes and styles. The painting is ...
Canvas, Acrylic
$1,556
Large Classic Marine Signed Oil Painting Sailing Ship on Choppy Seas Gilt Framed
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
Sailing Ship at Sea Signed C.S .Vokes dated 83 signed oil painting on canvas, framed framed: 24 x 34 inches canvas: 20 x 30 inches condition: very good provenance: private collection...
Oil
Reclining Nude Oil on Canvas Painting, Impressionist, Signed, 1970s
Located in Sitges, Barcelona
Title: Reclining Nude Artist: Roser Vinardell Tolrà (Cabrera de Mar, 1941) Technique: Oil on canvas Dimensions: 46 x 65 cm (18.1 x 25.6 in) Date: 1970s Signature: Signed in the lower...
Canvas, Oil
Vintage American Impressionist Framed Flower Still Life Signed Oil Painting
Located in Buffalo, NY
Vintage American impressionist still life oil painting. Oil on canvas. Signed. Framed. Provenance from a Sag Harbor, NY collection. Measuring: 32 by 32 inches overall. Handsomely fr...
Oil, Canvas
Birches Landscape Original oil Painting, Ready to Hang
Located in Granada Hills, CA
Artist: Vahe Yeremyan Title: Birches Medium: Oil on Canvas Year: 2026 Style: Impressionism Dimensions: 8.5" x 10.5" x "0.8 inch (22 x 27 x 2cm) Presentation: Unframed, Gallery Wrappe...
Canvas, Oil
Joyce Roybal Original Painting on Canvas Musicians Signed & Framed Artwork
By Jose Roybal
Located in Palm Coast, FL
This charming original painting on canvas by Joyce Roybal features a whimsical group of musicians joyfully playing instruments in Roybal’s signature naïve style. With bold colors, pl...
Oil
"Rain"
Located in Zofingen, AG
"It might seem strange to some that I called the painting ""Rain."" But imagine a window opening and a fresh breeze blowing into the house. It blows flower petals off and they rain d...
Canvas, Acrylic
Dans le miroir - Impressionist Figure in Interior Oil by Leon De Smet
By Léon De Smet
Located in Marlow, Buckinghamshire
Stunning signed and dated impressionist oil on canvas figure in interior by Belgian painter Leon De Smet. The work depicts a woman in an incredibly ornate room with her back to the a...
Canvas, Oil
View of the Sylarna Mountains, Jämtland, c. 1907
Located in Stockholm, SE
Olof Thunman occupies a distinctive position within Swedish cultural history, his artistic identity unfolding across both visual art and literature. While he is widely remembered as ...
Canvas, Oil
Still Horizon Seascape Original Oil Painting on Linen, Ready to Hang
Located in Granada Hills, CA
Artist: Karen Darbinyan Work: Original Oil Painting, Handmade Artwork, One of a Kind Medium: Oil on Linen, Year: 2025 Style: Impressionism Title: Still Horizon Size: 29" x 39" x 0.8'...
Canvas, Linen, Oil
Roses √ 5
Located in Zofingen, AG
The painting is painted with large brushstrokes in the style of impressionism. The idea is based on color contrasts. The variety of colors is intertwined into a beautiful bouquet Coo...
Canvas, Acrylic
$1,800
Central Park, Cityscape with Figures by American Impressionist Painter
Located in Doylestown, PA
"Central Park" is a figurative cityscape of New York City by American Impressionist painter Henry Ives Cobb Sr. The painting is a 19 x 15 inches, gouache on board, framed, signed and...
Gouache, Board
Edge of Calm
Located in Zofingen, AG
This painting captures the meeting of two elements — the calm of the land and the restless, turquoise depths of the sea. The gentle motion of the waves echoes the soft sway of wildfl...
Canvas, Oil
Antique Moonlit Impressionist Nocturnal Seascape Framed Coastal Oil Painting
Located in Buffalo, NY
Vintage impressionist moonlit seascape oil painting. Oil on canvas. Framed. Provenance from a Sag Harbor, NY collection. Measuring: 20 by 24 inches overall. Handsomely framed in a ...
Oil, Canvas
Cadaqués in Calm Oil on Canvas Painting, Signed, 1977 mediterranean spanish
Located in Sitges, Barcelona
Title: Cadaqués in Calm Artist: Ramón Pichot Soler (Figueres, 1924 – Barcelona, 1996) Medium: Oil on canvas Dimensions: 60 x 73 cm (23.6 x 28.7 in) With frame: 66 x 79 cm (26 x 31...
Canvas, Oil
French Harbour Scene Oil Painting of Boats and Waterfront at La Croisic
By Fanch Lel
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
Title: French Harbour Scene Oil Painting of Boats and Waterfront at La Croisic By Fanch Lel Signed: Yes Size: 15.25 x 18 inches (height x width) Oil painting on board, unframed Condi...
Oil
$2,701
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
Antique English Exhibited King Charles Cavalier Dog Portrait Framed Oil Painting
Located in Buffalo, NY
Antique English impressionist dog portrait oil painting. Oil on canvas. Signed. Exhibited. Framed. Measuring: 22 by 27 inches image alone. Handsomely framed in white wood molding....
Oil, Canvas
Impressionist Harbour Scene with Fishing Boats Lighthouse and Sunset Sky
By Fanch Lel
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
Title: Impressionist Harbour Scene with Fishing Boats Lighthouse and Sunset Sky By Fanch Les Size: 15 x 18 inches (height x width) Oil painting on cardboard, unframed Condition: The ...
Oil
$444Sale Price|20% Off
Impressionist Harbour Scene with Lighthouse Fishing Boats and Seagulls in Motion
By Fanch Lel
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
Title: Impressionist Harbour Scene with Lighthouse Fishing Boats and Seagulls in Motion By Fanch Lel Signed: Yes Size: 16.25 x 12.25 inches (height x width) Gouache painting on board...
Gouache
"Postcard from Paris" 1970s Satirical Lithograph
Located in Soquel, CA
"Postcard from Paris" Satirical Lithograph Humorous Screen Print by Charles Bragg (American, 1931-2017). Two nude individuals pose in a room partially covered by a piece of drapery and a flower vase. The woman wears a variety of costume jewelry and a crown and appears posed, while the man stands behind an old-fashioned camera and smiles. The surroundings are highly colorful, with pink wallpaper, blue curtains, and a variety of different plants. Both figures look towards the viewer, potentially nodding to the satirical nature of the piece. Numbered as "Artists Proof IX" in bottom left corner. Signed "Charles Bragg" in bottom right corner. Frame size: 20.88" H x 27" W Image size: 10.25" H x 17" W Charles Bragg (American, 1931-2017) was a painter, sculptor, and illustrator of commentary on human behavior, based out of Los Angeles, California. Bragg often injected his sense of humor and appreciation of satire into his subjects, many of which are cartoonish and seem half human and half animal. He also depicted serious subjects, ones that become poignant commentaries on the human condition. Bragg was born in St. Louis Missouri in 1931. His parents were vaudeville performers, and he spent most of his young life traveling on tour with them. During his teenage years, he went to New York's High School of Music & Art in Harlem. At 18, he ran away with his high school sweetheart, fellow artist Jennie Tomao...
Paper, Ink, Screen
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
Large Post-Impressionist Night Café Terrace Scene Oil Painting After Van Gogh
Located in Sitges, Barcelona
Large Post-Impressionist Night Café Terrace Scene Oil Painting After Van Gogh, Expressive Impasto Oil on canvas Post-Impressionist style Contemporary European school Dimensions: 120...
Oil
Original oil painting on canvas France, Paris, Eiffel Tower, K. Basset, Framed
Located in Palm Coast, FL
Capture the romance of Paris with this elegant original oil painting on canvas signed by artist K. Basset. Featuring a beautifully impressionistic view of the Eiffel Tower, the piece...
Oil
Vintage American Impressionist Florida Tropical Beach Scene Signed Oil Painting
Located in Buffalo, NY
Vintage American impressionist tropical landscape oil painting. Oil on canvas. Signed. Framed. Provenance from a Sag Harbor, NY collection. Measuring: 20 by 24 inches painting alone....
Oil
$1,299Sale Price|20% Off
Impressionist Oil Painting of Paris with Figures & Shops by American Artist
Located in Preston, GB
Vintage Impressionist Oil Painting of Paris with Figures & Shops by American Artist, Caroline C Burnett (1877-1950) Art measures 24 x 20 inches Frame measures 28.5 x 24.5 inches A ...
Canvas, Cotton Canvas, Oil
Mid Century French Oil Charming Harbor Scene with Colourful Boats Oil Landscape
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
Charming Harbor Scene with Boats French School, mid 20th century signed oil on board, framed Framed: 13 x 15 inches Board : 8.5 x 10.5 inches Provenance: private collection Condition: very good condition Description: This delightful oil painting captures a vibrant harbor scene, filled with colorful fishing boats gently bobbing in the water. The composition brings to life the tranquility of a quiet coastal town, with reflections of the boats mirrored...
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
$610
Impressionist Floral Oil Painting "Sunkissed Sunflowers in a Terracotta Vase"
Located in VÉNISSIEUX, FR
This painting named "Sunkissed sunflowers in a terracotta vase " celebrates my love for these beautiful joyful summer flowers. Van Gogh and my admiration for his art, inspired me ...
Oil, Paper
Summer day
Located in Zofingen, AG
The work is a sketch on a sunny day. Summer on the Spanish coast, the smell of the sea, a refreshing breeze, the sound of the waves, and vivid impressions. To create a sunny atmosphe...
Acrylic, Cardboard
"Morning in Canyon"
Located in Edinburgh, GB
Cacti, flowers, mountains, and sun—a combination of strength and tenderness, survival and beauty, light and silence. This painting exudes warmth, freedom, and natural harmony. The vi...
Canvas, 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
$760Sale Price|20% Off
Landscape Oil Painting Signed Ernest Albert American Impressionist Salmagundi
Located in Chesterfield, NJ
The painting signed Ernest Albert, signed LL, is 10.5 x 15.5 unframed, 14.13 x 19.13 framed and could benefit from a cleaning and better frame unless you like this look. This painti...
Oil
Siebe Johannes Ten Cate (1858-1908) Dordrecht under the snow, pastel signed
Located in Paris, FR
Siebe Johannes Ten Cate (1858-1908) Dordrecht under the snow Signed and located lower left Pastel on paper 26 x 39.5 cm In good condition, however, pastel is a fragile material and s...
Pastel
Roses in the garden.
Located in Zofingen, AG
A hot summer day is filled with sun. Its reflections are reflected on rose petals and leaves. The painting is filled with bright colors, in places the paint has a gold effect to conv...
Canvas, Acrylic
Festive bouquet 004
Located in Zofingen, AG
The work is painted with large brushstrokes, in the artist's characteristic manner. The painting conveys vivid impressions of summer, sun glare, feelings of warmth, freshness and ce...
Canvas, Acrylic
$1,650
Nude Woman, Figurative, Original Oil Painting, Handmade Artwork, One of a Kind
Located in Granada Hills, CA
Artist: Ashot Muradyan Work: Original Painting, Handmade Artwork, One of a Kind Medium: Oil on Linen Year: 2022 Style: Impressionism, Subject: Nude Wo...
Canvas, Oil
Seascape Original Oil Painting Tall Ship by Karon Nautical Maritime Wall Art
Located in Palm Coast, FL
This elegant maritime oil painting by Karon depicts a magnificent tall ship sailing across a rolling ocean under a brilliant blue sky. The artist’s expressive brushwork captures both...
Oil
In the Edge of the Great Shadow
Located in North Clarendon, VT
A beautiful oil on board of the sun setting in the mountains c. 1930 by the talented Carl G. T. Olson. From the estate of the artist. Housed in a period arts and crafts carved frame....
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
"Mr. Hitchcock" (2025) Expressionist Animal Portrait, Original Oil Painting
By Elsa Sroka
Located in Denver, CO
Elsa Sroka is a popular contemporary artist based in Colorado, celebrated for her wonderfully creative and evocative paintings. Her work blends elements of realism and abstraction, r...
Oil, Board
"Sunset on the Marsh" Dennis Sheehan, Dusk, Sunset Reflections, Natural Beauty
Located in New York, NY
Dennis Sheehan Sunset on the Marsh, Summer, circa 2025 Signed lower left Oil on canvas 20 x 30 inches Dennis Sheehan was born in Boston in 1950. His work is based upon the Barbizon...
Canvas, Oil
"Park Scene" Parisian Impressionistic Oil Painting of Figures by the Riverside
By Francesco Tammaro
Located in New York, NY
Francesco Tammaro was born in Naples in 1939 where he attended the Instituto D'Arte di Napoli, one of the most reputed Fine Art schools in Italy. Shortly after graduation he traveled...
Oil, Wood Panel
Vintage French Impressionist Paris Street Scene Signed Oil Painting
Located in Buffalo, NY
Vintage American impressionist Paris street scene oil painting. Oil on board. Signed. Framed. Provenance from a Sag Harbor, NY collection. Measuring: 13 by 15 inches overall. Handso...
Board, Oil
Winter Scene, Chrudim, Czech Republic Impressionist Landscape
Located in Beachwood, OH
Václav Radimský (Czech, 1867-1946) Winter Scene, Chrudim, 1920 Oil on board Signed lower left 23.5 x 36.25 inches Václav Jan Emanuel Radimský was a Czech impressionist painter who r...
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