Throughout history, there have been countless artistic movements and trends that have changed the way people create and view art. Many of these have stemmed from the creativity of prevalent artists throughout history and some have developed as a result of changes and advancements in culture, society or technology. All of them, however, have helped the world of art evolve and adapt in one way or another.
When artists and historian talk about the key events on the historic timeline of art, the development of impressionism will often be brought up. It is widely considered the first modern movement in painting and set the foundation for numerous other trends and styles.
History
The idea of impressionism was born in1860s Paris out of a desire to break away from the strict and rigid artistic standards of the day. During that time the world of art was an exclusive place that shunned many artists and alternative styles outside the realm of sharply detailed realism. Powerful art institutions would only showcase official government-sanctioned exhibitions, which made it difficult for new artists and ideas to emerge. To break away from this restrictive system, artists moved towards impressionism.
Impressionism
The concept of impressionism is to remove the restrictive desire to emulate every minute detail of a scene. Impressionists aim to capture the momentary feeling and sensory effect of the subject or environment. By loosening their grip on the brush and adding lighter colours to their palette, Impressionists aim to emulate the same impression that objects make on the eye in a fleeting glimpse. Impressionism incorporates a different method in addition to an alternative style. When the movement began impressionist artists got away from studios and took to the streets and countryside.
Famous Impressionists
There are many famous names that have helped carry the torch of impressionism but the flame was sparked by Claude Monet. The iconic Parisian painter was one of the founding names in impressionism and helped kick-start the movement in the 19th century.
It wouldn’t be fair to talk about Impressionism without mentioning one of the most famous names in art history, Vincent van Gogh. Gaining recognition during the post-impressionism era, the Dutch painter created some of the most famous pieces of art in the world.
Impressionism today
Since the development of impressionism, the world of art has continued to evolve and a number of new movements have spawned as a result. Today there are millions of artists that practice impressionist painting, producing some of the best work from around the world. The movement still remains one of the most iconic events in the history of art and continues to inspire artists all over the globe.
