Impressionism is a 19th-century art movement that originated with a group of Paris-based artists whose independent exhibitions brought them to prominence during the 1870s and 1880s. The movement was a radical departure from the rigid rules of the Académie des Beaux-Arts, which favored historical subjects and invisible brushwork. Instead, Impressionists like Claude Monet, Camille Pissarro, and Edgar Degas sought to capture the ‘impression’ of a moment, focusing on the shifting effects of light and color in the natural world. The style is characterized by relatively small, thin, yet visible brushstrokes that suggest form rather than defining it. Artists often worked ‘en plein air’ (outdoors) to directly observe the play of sunlight on landscapes and urban scenes. They used a vibrant palette, often applying paint side-by-side with minimal mixing to allow the viewer’s eye to optically blend the colors. This emphasis on the fleeting nature of time and the subjectivity of perception paved the way for the fragmented perspectives of Post-Impressionism and the eventual birth of abstract art. Impressionism remains one of the most beloved movements in art history for its luminous beauty and its celebration of modern life.
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