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.
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
Artist Warren Keating captures two figures in motion as they navigate the vibrant setting of Art Basel. Broad, expressive brushstrokes convey movement and flu...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
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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
Three young dancers style their hair, racing against time before a show. The vibrant brushwork and colors portray the lively and intense energy of dance prepa...
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
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Artist Onelio Marrero presents a fellow artist working outdoors. Bold shades of green permeate the lush spring foliage surrounding him. "I was out in a park w...
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
A sandy path leads toward the dunes and water, with vivid greenery contrasting against the soft blues above. Painted with a palette knife and brush, the artwo...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Acrylic
1920s Impressionist More Art
Canvas, Oil
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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
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Rugged cliffs meet the gentle Pacific waves. Vibrant wildflowers add a touch of whimsy to the scene, with their blue, yellow, and lavender petals complementin...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
This painting combines two of artist Onelio Marrero's interests: his love for the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City and his fascination with observi...
21st Century and Contemporary 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
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
Sunlight bathes a quaint village scene along the Camino de Santiago, highlighting the warm terracotta roofs of the farmhouses. Shadows play across the buildin...
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
Artist Comments
Boats rest gently in the harbor of a quaint fishing village in Nova Scotia. Cozy homes and shacks dot the coastline, their windows glowing warmly in the fadin...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
Artist Kira Yustak paints a bed of dandelions with two bumblebees hovering above. The airy flowers provide essential food to pollinators as the first blooms o...
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
Mid-20th Century Impressionist More Art
Canvas, Oil
Artist Comments
This painting captures the tranquility of a Los Angeles neighborhood on a cold, quiet evening. Locals retreat to their homes as the sun sets, happily savoring...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
As the sun descends, it leaves a wondrous gift, bathing the seascape in a beautiful array of colors. Yellow and orange hues grace the darkening sky while irid...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil, Board
Artist Comments
Artist Colette Wirz Nauke paints a bird roosting on a tree branch. Purple and violet flowers envelop the trunks and branches, highlighting the beauty of the b...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Acrylic
1930s Impressionist More Art
Paper, Etching
Late 20th Century Impressionist More Art
Oil, Cardboard
Early 20th Century Impressionist More Art
Gouache
Artist Comments
In a beautiful, sunlit garden, a young woman immerses herself in the world of literature. Surrounded by flowers, she enjoys the company of words. Bathed in a hazy glow, the scene exudes a timeless and romantic aura.
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
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
This painting vividly captures a lively sunset at Natural Bridges State Park in Santa Cruz, California. The sky's reflection ripples with the rolling waves, b...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Canvas, Oil
Artist Comments
A woman in a flowing dress walks toward a hazy skyline, moving among other pedestrians. Her calm presence contrasts with the modern bustle around her. Through s...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Acrylic
Artist Comments
A young man sits under the shade of trees, sketching intently en plein air. The composition features artist Onelio Marerro's former student engaged with natur...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
1990s Impressionist More Art
Oil, Cardboard
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 Benjamin Thomas depicts a luminous sky with tonal hues of grey with soft purple accents. Finally, he paints his favorite color in a sky painting. "My d...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Acrylic
Artist Comments
Artist Judy Mackey exhibits a glorious display of the United States flag. "Being an expatriate growing up in a foreign country gave me a deep love for our US ...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
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
1980s Impressionist More Art
Oil, Cardboard
2010s Impressionist More Art
Oil, Panel
Late 19th Century Impressionist More Art
Oil, Canvas
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
Artist Comments
Pink peonies and yellow roses fill a blue vase in this impressionist still life painting. Their vibrant petals contrast with the grey background. Painted alla p...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
The sun peaks through a break in the clouds, as it rises over the pastel-hued sea. This painting is on a gallery wrapped canvas, with warm black sides and co...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Early 20th Century Impressionist More Art
Canvas, Oil
Late 20th Century Impressionist More Art
Oil
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Canvas, Oil
1940s Impressionist More Art
Oil, Board
Mid-20th Century Impressionist More Art
Oil
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil, Board
Artist Comments
In the late afternoon light, long shadows stretch across an amusement park as a giant swing ride whirls riders through the air. In the distance, a towering drop...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Acrylic
Late 20th Century Impressionist More Art
Canvas, Oil, Wood Panel
Early 20th Century Impressionist More Art
Canvas, Oil
Artist Comments
On a September afternoon, artist Onelio Marrero noticed a boy fishing from a river weir near his home. He imagined the boy waiting all week for school to end so...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
1990s Impressionist More Art
Oil, Cardboard
19th Century Impressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
A woodland painting captures the brilliant sunlight playing on the rock formations of a rise in the woods near the artist Onelio Marrero's home. The patches of ...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
Artist Judy Mudd captures the hushed serenity of a winter scene in this watercolor. A small church stands quietly against a snowy backdrop, with candles glowing...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Watercolor
2010s Impressionist More Art
Oil, Cardboard
