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.
1930s Impressionist More Art
Paper, Etching
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
Artist Onelio Marrero paints a raft of ducks swimming in a pond surrounded by spring foliage. "I have been observing ducks in their habitats in order to paint...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
Artist Crystal DiPietro paints a sunset as the warm light descends beyond the horizon. The golden rays illuminate the towering mesas adorned in shades of oran...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
The serene waters, colorful trees, and majestic mountains contribute to the enchanting ambiance of Lake Tahoe. The vibrant hues and rich texture capture the s...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
In the heart of Paris, a secluded garden stirs with the morning sun. Vibrant blue, green, and purple blend with a spontaneous burst of magenta and pink wildfl...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
Light shimmers across the water as the sun goes down. A sailboat fades in the distance, while the rocks in the foreground frame the scene. The soft breeze, glow...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
This painting portrays a nature preserve and a bird sanctuary nestled amidst subdivisions. The composition features a tranquil pond surrounded by autumn trees...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Acrylic
Artist Comments
Artist Onelio Marrero finds inspiration in observing fellow artists at work. This vibrant oil painting features a window designer along the sidewalk of midtow...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
"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
This painting puts the viewer inside one of the main hallways at the Louvre Museum in Paris. The depth draws attention from one figu...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
Wildflowers frame the bluffs, offering a tranquil view of the Pacific Ocean. The blues and purples add a calming, cool tone to the scene. Artist Lisa Elley pa...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
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
Early 20th Century Impressionist More Art
Oil, Panel
Artist Comments
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
Artist Comments
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
Artist Comments
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
Artist Comments
The quiet glow of evening light drifts across a peaceful marina. Warm sunlit sails and softened colors shimmer in the still water, while a crescent moon rises g...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
Inspired by his travels with his wife, artist Onelio Marrero paints her enjoying a book. They toured the neighboring towns to visit shops and historic sites d...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
A woman in a flowing white gown stands confidently against a background that blends almost seamlessly with her attire. She symbolizes purity and strength. The...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Acrylic
Artist Comments
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
Artist Comments
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
Artist Comments
Artist Carey Parks paints a mother watching her children blissfully wading by the shore. She references the piece on a photo taken at the beach in Rhode Islan...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Acrylic
Artist Comments
Autumn starts early in a suburban park. A ray of sunlight illuminates the landscape, casting a warm glow on the trees and grass. Painted with a palette knife an...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Acrylic
2010s Impressionist More Art
Oil, Cardboard
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Canvas, Linen, Oil
Artist Comments
Amid the verdant landscape, a white tree blossoms in spring, with distant red flowers adding a lively touch to the scene. The painting adopts an impressionist...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Acrylic
Mid-20th Century Impressionist More Art
Plaster, Wood
20th Century Impressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
Tall trees line a winding path, their dark trunks contrasting with the warm, glowing light filling the sky. Using a limited palette, the scene captures the ri...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
Soft hues of green and brown blend together in a serene wetland scene. Lilies float gently on the calm river, while clusters of bushes and grasses thrive alon...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
Artist Colette Wirz Nauke paints a bird perched on a tree. Plump red berries adorn the meandering branches, creating a sense of movement and vitality to the p...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Acrylic
Artist Comments
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
Artist Comments
The early evening sunlight casts a beautiful, relaxing atmosphere over the farm. In the background, a farmhouse nestled among trees and haystacks reflects the...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
Artist Judy Mackey paints an impressionist still life of a bright red daisy in a vase. "I happened on a Gerber Daisy that had a bro...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
Robust trees cast a dense shade over the ground while the bright sun shines over the meadow beyond. The interplay between light and shadow shows depth and dra...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Acrylic
Artist Comments
Artist Onelio Marrero shares a tender moment of children swimming by the sea. Part of a series of summer paintings that explo...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
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
Artist Comments
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
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
Artist Comments
The painting offers a glimpse of the houses surrounding a river in Estella, Spain, a charming town along the Camino de Santiago. The sun casts a warm glow ont...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Mid-20th Century Impressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
I painted this piece from sketches I did from a small Eastern European town. The old buildings and houses are highlighted through amazing texture.
Abou...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
Artist Sherri Aldawood presents an impressionist still life of vibrant sunflowers and a few pickings of fruit. The subjects bask in the afternoon light, casting elongated shadows on the surface. "I set up and painted this still life in my backyard using flowers from my garden," shares Sherri. The warm color palette exudes the feeling of comfort that comes with these seasonal blooms.
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
Artist Comments
Artist Carey Parks displays a family of three frolicking on the beach. "In addition to capturing people in the city, one of the best places is at the beach be...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Acrylic
Artist Comments
"I often wander in the woods and discover unexpected treasures," says artist David Thelen. He captures an old truck parked on a dirt road that winds through t...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
Three women stand poised in quiet communion. Flowing white forms and dark bodices balance softness and strength. Floral motifs echo their inner lives, suggestin...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
"When you are a child, sometimes all you need is a puddle," says artist Onelio Marrero. He paints two young kids joyfully playing in a puddle after a day of being confined indoors due to the rain. He captures the fun and excitement of splashing around. The little girl frolics in full motion while her brother stares transfixed at his reflection.
About the Artist
Artist Onelio Marrero paints impressionist city scenes of everyday life. He captures the romanticism of New York City, from the picturesque fountains in Central Park to a glistening city street on a rainy afternoon. He creates a sense of nostalgia and intimacy with his work, offering the feeling that you have visited this particular scene before. “Each play of light, each texture, and each movement of a figure can have a captivating effect on me,†says Onelio. He studied at The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art where he mastered discerning color and values, giving his work a more spontaneous appearance. Onelio’s work is an appreciation for beauty in all of its greatest forms; nature, art, and people.
Words that describe this painting: rain, street, puddle, splash, toddler...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
Bright red poppies stretch across an endless field, their fading details adding depth to the scene. Soft purple mountains rise in the distance under a serene ...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Acrylic
Artist Comments
Artist Aruna Rao captures the endless rhythm of waves rolling toward the shore, reflecting the hypnotic pull of the ocean. The path through the dunes, the winds...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
Evening fall colors in a historical part of Washington DC with beautiful architecture together look harmonic and full of nice ene...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
20th Century Impressionist More Art
Oil
Mid-20th Century Impressionist More Art
Canvas, Oil
1970s Impressionist More Art
Cotton Canvas, Acrylic
1870s Impressionist More Art
Canvas, Oil
1990s Impressionist More Art
Oil, Cardboard
Late 20th Century Impressionist More Art
Oil
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil, Board
Artist Comments
Rows of vibrant green and earthy red plants sweep diagonally across the rolling landscape, creating a pattern that draws the eye in. The loose brushwork contras...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Early 20th Century Impressionist More Art
Oil, Board
