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.
Find a collection of authentic Impressionist art on 1stDibs.
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A woman stands in a sun-drenched field that stretches endlessly around her. Her vibrant red skirt contrasts beautifully with the golden grass, drawing the eye t...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
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A sunlit meadow bursts with vibrant orange and yellow wildflowers, filling the foreground with warmth. A towering leafy oak surrounded by lush trees stands prou...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
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Vibrant pansies bloom in a sunny yellow pot, their petals adorned with distinctive markings. Light and shadow add depth and movement to the piece. Artist Mary B...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Acrylic
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Daisies, lupines, and poppies bloom near the ocean as waves crash along the rugged California coastline. Bold palette knife strokes add movement, depth, and tex...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Mid-20th Century Impressionist More Art
Oil
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A plaza in Valencia glows under the golden hour light, its warm hues capturing the charm of early evening. Restaurants begin to stir after siesta, as locals a...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
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Working on the subject of water lilies and sunset reflections, artist Onelio Marrero portrays a pond mirroring the colors of the sk...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
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A cluster of farm structures nestles within a vast green field. Scattered figures add subtle life and context without disrupting the calm atmosphere, enhancing ...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Watercolor
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Soft evening colors highlight the beauty of the American desert. A gentle and warm palette creates an airy feeling that suggests an open space. The quiet energy...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
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This painting depicts a tranquil pond dotted with delicate water lilies. Light and shadow play across the surface, creating gentle reflections that invite quiet...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Acrylic
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Pedestrians stroll through the streets of downtown Chicago, passing the iconic lion statues at the Art Institute of Chicago. Autumn hues fill the scene as tal...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
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The simple arrangement of mackerels and lemons creates a strong diagonal composition. Complementary colors enhance the palette. Selective and soft brushstrokes ...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Pastel
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A fountain flows in the center of an elegant garden in artist Sherri Aldawood's impressionist piece. "My dream came true when I visited the home and garden of one of my favorite artists of the past, Joaquin Sorolla, in Madrid," shares Sherri. Channeling her knowledge from studying Sorolla's masterful paintings, Sherri portrays the morning light and colors with soft illumination. The sunlit foliage gleams majestically in the background, sharpening the dimension and bringing the viewer's eye toward the rear of the scene.
About the Artist
Sherri Aldawood didn't intend to always paint flowers, but over time her love of gardens started to permeate her art. She focuses on the light and color of the flowers on the canvas. Sherri prefers alla prima, working with wet layers of paint instead of letting them dry. She keeps the paint as wet as possible by using walnut and clove oil...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
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A lighthouse stands on a grassy point, overlooking the tranquil waters of Admiralty Inlet. Its sturdy white walls and vibrant red roofs contrast with the blue...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Watercolor
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Bright wildflowers bloom in the foreground while the waves crash against the cliffs in the distance. The sky, painted in soft blues and whites, merges seamles...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
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Artist Onelio Marrero and his wife enjoy having a home near the New Jersey shore, where they can spend time with family on the beach. Onelio especially loves wa...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
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A sparrow perches on a snow-dusted branch. The soft and misty background highlights the delicate brown and white of the bird's feathers. Artist Joanie Ford pa...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
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Artist Lisa Elley paints a kaleidoscopic autumnal landscape, vibrant with spirited flecks from her palette knife. Using her signature style, Lisa applies impasto trees with thick texture and gentle movement. The foliage sways with energy, suggesting a beautiful fall day in the mountains with the colorful changing leaves on display.
About the Artist
Artist Lisa Elley produces sweeping impressionist views and rich geographies with lush textures. Growing up on a little farm in New Zealand surrounded by rolling green, she became greatly influenced by her surroundings. This instilled a remarkable ingenuity in her leading her to pursue a fine arts degree at the University of Auckland. Passionate about experiencing new things, she moved to London, New York, Florida, and ultimately the San Francisco Bay Area, where she now resides. She works at her studio inside an old cannery in San Jose with perfect natural light, 30-foot ceilings, and infinite possibilities. She cultivates her skillful command with a palette that allows her to maneuver her artistic blade with fluidity. “I am drawn to them over brushes as they create an amazing sense of movement with the beautiful texture they evoke,†shares Lisa. An award-winning artist, her works have been represented by galleries all over the globe and have also been featured in distinguished publications. Lisa savors the quality time she spends with her family during her free time.
Words that describe this painting: autumn, forest...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
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A woman stands with her back to the viewer, gracefully adjusting her raven hair. She wears a flowing red dress that contrasts beautifully with the soft backgrou...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
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Refined elegance exudes from a bottle of Macallan Terra, a rich amber whisky poured into a tasting glass, and a finely rolled cigar. Warm tones and soft textu...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Acrylic
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High stone seawalls line parts of the New Jersey shoreline, where tides and surges deposit an array of natural and manmade artifacts. In this scene, a young gir...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
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Bathed in the hush of twilight, rows of blooming lavender stretch endlessly beneath a sky brushed with fading light. Each bold, textured stroke captures the fle...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Early 20th Century Impressionist More Art
Canvas, Oil
Early 20th Century Impressionist More Art
Canvas, Oil
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Under the glow of a lamp, a venerable professor attentively reads and evaluates student submissions. The composition is one of artist Onelio Marrero's many port...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
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Colorful flowers spill from a pitcher, with lush green foliage serving as the backdrop. The quick, energetic brushstrokes capture the rapidly changing light. ...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
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Two soft pink peonies bloom gracefully in a clear glass vase. Their petals and lush green leaves spill outward, contrasting beautifully with the muted backgro...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
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With its signature yellow wings edged in black and touched with hints of coral and sky blue, a swallowtail butterfly appears suspended mid-air. Its symmetry a...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Early 20th Century Impressionist More Art
Oil, Panel
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Artist Joanie Fords captures the beauty of Tucson, Arizona in this pastel artwork. Soft, glowing light filters through the terrain, contrasting the lush green c...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Pastel
1950s Impressionist More Art
Lithograph
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A young woman sits on the grass, deeply engrossed in painting the scenery before her. Loose brushwork and palette knife techniques bring to life the graceful ...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
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The first morning light stretches across the lake at Wind River, Wyoming. As the sky brightens, the woods remain shadowed, and the world slowly wakes. A crisp c...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Watercolor
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Golden leaves cling to slender trees, their white trunks standing out against a blue backdrop. Red, yellow, and orange foliage blankets the ground, capturing ...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
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The evening sun bathes the historic village of Obidos, Portugal, in warm golden light, casting soft shadows on whitewashed buildings. A winding cobblestone stre...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
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A cardinal perches on a thin wire, its bright red plumage standing out against the gray sky. The bird seems like a visitor from another realm, briefly passing...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Acrylic
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Artist Onelio Marrero often spends time with his family at the New Jersey shore. In this painting, groups of children strategize and work diligently digging f...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
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Growing up in Minnesota, artist Joanie Ford loved the winter days, ice fishing, and when snow blanketed the trees. This oil painting reflects her fond memorie...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
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Artist Stanislav Sidorov captures a couple walking in a fairytale-looking town. The street light accentuates the building's medieval details and casts a drama...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
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A lush woodland scene embodies the tranquil beauty of nature. Towering trees with dappled sunlight filtering through their leafy canopies cast soft shadows on t...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
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Inspired by the azure waters of iconic Lake Tahoe, artist Lisa Elley portrays the beauty of the mountains in the fall season. Her signature impasto technique ...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
Artist Onelio Marrero captures a father and son discussing artwork in a gallery at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. He loves visiting museums as much for the pat...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
A charming bungalow in Cape May, New Jersey, nestles among lush greenery. Its warm yellow and green tones blend harmoniously with the surrounding foliage. Pai...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil, Board
Artist Comments
Whether it's fall, winter, spring or summer it's always time for some colorful birch! This painting is done with a palette knife, and resonates with a poetic ...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Canvas, Oil
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Autumn foliage surrounds a peaceful mountain landscape. Tall birch trees line the scene, their white trunks contras...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
1910s Impressionist More Art
Canvas, Oil
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The sky and clouds can be unpredictable, offering no certain forecast for the weather ahead. A gathering of dark clouds may hint at rain or a refreshing cooln...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Acrylic
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Lush green lily pads and pink water lilies float calmly on a pond. Gentle ripples reflect the early morning sunlight, with the mist adding to the glow. Painte...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
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A scenic view from Route 80 in Ohio displays the dynamics between light and simple architectural elements. Amidst the surrounding trees, the sun-struck walls ...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Acrylic
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Artist Ruth LaGue shares an idyllic landscape of the lush countryside. Two red barns and a silo stand abreast of verdant trees in the background. Inspired by ...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Acrylic
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A barn quietly sits in the picturesque Pennsylvania countryside. The muted color palette evokes the serene tranquility inherent in the Amish homesteads of the...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Watercolor
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Canvas, Oil
Artist Comments
Breathtaking sunset reflects off a cloud-filled sky in Australia, creating a color-filled landscape. Below, a road cuts through a field and leads to a distant...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Acrylic
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Golden light filters through the forest canopy, casting dappled shadows along a winding path. Leaves transform into shades of orange, celebrating nature’s f...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
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Artist Onelio Marrero presents an impressionist scene of ducks wading by a river. "I went to a nearby lake to observe ducks in order to paint this scene of Pe...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
Two hummingbirds spread their wings, soaring gracefully against a pastel green backdrop that evokes the vibrancy of a sunlit garden. Inspired by artist Karen ...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Acrylic
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As night approaches, the colors of the sky reflect on the pond, with the silhouette of trees filtering the fiery sunset. Water lilies pick up different hues a...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
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New Jersey artist Brian McCarthy grew up in a rural area near the New York border, where grazing animals were a common sight. In this oil painting, he capture...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
