Impressionist More Art
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.
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A mother and child deeply examine the paintings in the impressionist galleries at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The subtle yet bold brushwork conveys the quie...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
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A powerful buffalo strides into view, its massive form radiating strength and dignity. In this oil painting, artist Karen Barton captures not only the animal’...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
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A stream winds between green fields, with a small patch of white in its blue water reflecting the clouds above. Trees in the distance add vertical contrast, whi...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Acrylic
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A woman sits outside a Philadelphia bistro, reading her book. The bright morning light shines through the establishment's windows, revealing a glimpse of its i...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
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The moon casts a soft glow over the snowy landscape. A jackrabbit’s sudden flight disrupts the stillness of the winter night. Gentle strokes and muted tones...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
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Artist Onelio Marrero depicts the bustling energy of Midtown Manhattan traffic, looking south on a rainy afternoon. Dashing yet precise brushstrokes convey move...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
A street in Chicago comes alive on a rainy afternoon. The wet pavement reflects the city lights, creating a shimmering effect as cars and pedestrians move thr...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Early 1900s Impressionist More Art
Canvas, Oil
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Artist Maurice Dionne illustrates crowds of people walking along the street in an impressionistic representation. "Nimbus describes the luminous cloud or atmo...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Watercolor
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When artist Onelio Marrero's grandchildren visit, they love spending time in his spare bedroom, playing games, dressing up, and pretending. One of their favor...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
Artist Lisa Elley depicts a glade of autumnal aspens in a rustic woodland. Once a year, she takes her fall sojourn to the Eastern Sierra Nevada mountains to s...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
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Inspired by the scenery of Monterey Bay in California, artist Lisa Elley captures a picturesque ocean view dotted with flowers in the foreground. California p...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
Ibis birds wander and forage under palm fronds. Their white feathers catch the dappled sunlight, while their red beaks and legs contrast with the lush greens. I...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
A grizzly bear exudes a quiet strength against a soft blue background. Artist Karen Barton used both palette knife and brush to build texture and depth. The res...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
Three children show quiet determination as they dig for sand dollars during low tide. Their curiosity and focus bring wonder to the coastal scene. Energetic str...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
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"Every fall season, I embark on a sojourn to the Eastern Sierra Nevada mountains to soak in the changing fall colors of the birch and quaking aspens," says ar...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
Artist Sherri Aldawood captures a peaceful moment from her trip to Marbella, Spain. Sunlight fills a narrow alleyway, adorned with vibrant flowers and lush pl...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
A mother and her child strike their camp for higher ground as the tide comes in with the occasional rogue wave. Artist Onelio Marrero and his wife live near the...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Mid-20th Century Impressionist More Art
Canvas, Acrylic
Artist Comments
A jewel-toned still life captures the warmth of seasonal celebrations. Ruby-colored candles glow amid fallen blossoms, while rich impressionistic brushstrokes e...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
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An enchanting scene invites the viewer to walk along the Tiber River in Rome and marvel at the beautiful Ponte Vittorio Emanuele II. The impressionist style cap...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
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Ivory flowers rise softly from a moody backdrop, while a burst of vibrant orange commands attention. This piece balances boldness and grace, proving that even i...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
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Artist Onelio Marrero visited a place in New Jersey called The Grounds For Sculpture. The gardens there are replete with exotic flora and fauna. Overlapping the...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
The interior of an eatery on the east side of Manhattan exudes an eclectic charm. Several Tiffany-style lamps hang overhead, casting a warm glow over the space....
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
Flowers bloom vibrantly beneath the windows as the Mediterranean sun highlights the character of the quaint stone walls and shutters. The composition captures...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
Two monarch butterflies flutter gracefully against a soft, green background. A subtle glow around them brings the idea of movement. Delicate patterns and detail...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
An assortment of flowers bursts from a vase in this predominantly cool composition of blues and greens. The swirling botanical pattern on the tablecloth echoe...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Acrylic
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Two charming Appaloosa foals nuzzle one another in a tender display of friendship. Their speckled coats glimmer under a soft, diffused light. The pale blue ba...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
Artist Onelio Marrero captures a moment inside an antiques shop, where a man browses lamps, pictures, and replicas of Frederic Remington bronzes. The interior i...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
An aerial view reveals a patchwork of farmland in the Midwest. A blue lake nestles among the green fields, mirroring the soft hues of the horizon. The compositi...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Acrylic
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A quiet street leads through the coastal town of Estepona, Spain, lined with houses resting in shadow. Further in, a sunlit building faces the viewer, its warm ...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
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The low winter sun shines through an aspen grove. Snow blankets the ground, turning the world into a quiet expanse of blue and white. Each step crunches beneath...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Watercolor
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The soothing rhythm of the ocean's waves creates a sense of tranquil stillness. Beyond the shore, a beautiful gradient of blues captures the essence of the deep...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Acrylic
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Reflections in the water capture the feel of morning light at a pond in Northern New Jersey. Water lilies in the shadowed foreground lead the eye to the edge of...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
Artist Onelio Marrero portrays his niece examining Jules Bastien-Lepage’s 1879 painting of Joan of Arc receiving her life-changing vision. Set within a room...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
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A figure, viewed from above, confronts an overwhelming mass of books, echoing the anxieties about the saturation of information in contemporary society. The sce...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
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Capturing the vast beauty of nature, this painting showcases endless fields gently rising and falling beneath an expansive sky. Lush, undulating meadows, golden...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
Sunlight bathes the facades and rooftops of Florence in warm, golden hues, creating a striking contrast against the cool purples and blues of the distant hills....
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Canvas, Oil
Mid-20th Century Impressionist More Art
Canvas, Oil
Early 1900s Impressionist More Art
Canvas, Oil
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
1910s Impressionist More Art
Canvas, Oil
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Early 20th Century Impressionist More Art
Bronze
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Linen, Oil
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Early evening colors reflect on a peaceful lake, painting its surface with soft purple hues. Aquatic plants pick up different tones as they recede into the sh...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
Fiery clouds drift across the sky, creating a mesmerizing display of color. Broad and swift brushstrokes capture their fleeting beauty. Artist Benjamin Thomas s...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Acrylic
Mid-20th Century Impressionist More Art
Canvas, Oil
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Two kids play at a beach in California. The boy pours sand into a green bucket while the girl sits beside him, both deeply engrossed in their play. The bright...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
A majestic pronghorn antelope buck sits at the heart of a darkening prairie. The rich, warm tones and subtle background details emphasize the animal’s disti...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
A beautiful bobcat rests atop the petroglyph-covered wall of Toquima Cave. Its stance and intense gaze reflect a keen awareness. Lights emphasize the feline's...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
Bluebonnets bloom in a tranquil Texan meadow beneath a soft, sunny sky. Vibrant shades of green and blue fill the foreground, bringing the wildflowers to life. ...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Acrylic
Artist Comments
A pond beneath trees catches shifting sunlight, creating a dappled pattern across its surface. Ducks and koi fish move through the scene, adding a sense of life...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
Set during an evening on Wacker Drive, the artwork offers an atmospheric view of Chicago, featuring the iconic Tribune Tower and surrounding buildings. The st...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Early 20th Century Impressionist More Art
Canvas, Oil, Panel
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A country house stands solitary in an overgrown field, with traces of time passing evident in its exterior. The grass dances with the wind as the summer sky g...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
Palm and oak trees create a vibrant forest scene. The sun filters through the foliage and casts dappled light on the ground. Bright reds and yellows highlight...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Acrylic
Artist Comments
From this perch on one of Sedona's trails, one can view neighboring cliffs and the lush green valleys in between. The surrounding landscape showcases the vibr...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
Artist Shela Goodman presents a view of an old swinging bridge over a quiet river. The image plays with the viewer's imagination and challenges them with their personal insight. "The wonder of what is on the other side of the tree and what may be in the distance," says Shela. She skillfully balances the relationship between light and shadow to depict the depth and dimensions of the scene.
About the Artist
Words that describe this painting: bridge, landscape, river, tree, fog, mist, riverbank, water, impressionism, oilpaint, perspective, impressionism, nature, oil painting, brown
Bridge Over the River...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
