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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California artist Catherine McCargar captures a quiet, peaceful moment in the wetlands along the Martinez shoreline. A pair of egrets test the water, sending ge...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Watercolor
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Shrubs and wild growth spread across the dunes in Nags Head, North Carolina. Earthy greens and soft purple shadows trace the rises and flat stretches of land. A...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Acrylic
1890s Impressionist More Art
Oil, Panel
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Artist Yangzi captures a rainy evening on Chicago's Michigan Avenue. Streetlamps glow warmly against the cool reflections of the wet pavement. Figures with umbr...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
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A narrow river winds along a snow-covered forest floor, with slender trees casting shadows across the ground. Painted in shades of blue, the scene evokes the ...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
1990s Impressionist More Art
Oil, Cardboard
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The artwork captures the boundless expanse of the American Canyonlands, where stone and sky meet in harmony with light. The cliffs glow under the touch of the s...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil, Board
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A vast landscape unfolds beneath a sweeping, dynamic sky. Fields of green and yellow hint at lush grass and vegetation, while intersecting pathways guide the ey...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
1880s Impressionist More Art
Earthenware, Glaze
19th Century Impressionist More Art
Oil
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Artist Onelio Marrero captures a quietly dramatic view of a winding river near his home. Storm clouds rise near the apex of the sun, while lush vegetation surro...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
Artist Onelio Marrero captures her granddaughter walking along a low tide surf in the late afternoon light on a New Jersey beach. She strolls along the receding...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Mid-20th Century Impressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
Bright strokes of green highlight a sun-baked landscape in Provence, France. The winding path stretches through the summer field. Energetic dabs of a palette knife create texture and depth. The sky, painted in a rich blue, contrasts with the greenery, giving the painting a lively and dynamic feel.
About the Artist
Artist Janet Dyer...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Acrylic
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Wildflowers blooming in the foreground create a focal point against the misty sky and sea in the background. The view depicts the enchanting coastline of Califo...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Watercolor
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
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Artist Janet Dyer captures the fleeting beauty of the sky in this coastal scene. Soft clouds drift above the horizon, golden sunset light receding in the distan...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Acrylic
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Artist Lisa Elley captures the luminous quality of the California coast through her signature textured palette knife painting. Wildflowers cluster along the cli...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
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Artist Lisa Elley captures the azure coast of Carmel, California, in this textured palette knife painting. Sunlight shimmers across the blue water, while rugged...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
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Artist Fernando Garcia presents a rustic landscape of a midwestern field. He highlights the inclement weather on the plains as the dominating element. "It is ...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Acrylic
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This oil painting depicts the small village of Sabrosa in Portugal viewed from a nearby vineyard. The church steeple rises prominently among the historic white ...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
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The colors of the sky shifted quickly during an evening walk, prompting artist Benjamin Thomas to capture its marmalade appeal. Bright orange and pastel pink cl...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Acrylic
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People savor the warm sunshine while walking or dining out at the street mall. Revelers crowd around the pub patio. The Post Office heritage building stands on ...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Watercolor
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This impressionist painting invites a sense of quiet mystery. Artist Faye Vander Veer uses a muted palette with closely related values, allowing the warm sunlig...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
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Gray and orange tones spread across the sky and water, framing two fishermen at dawn. The sun, hidden behind clouds, cast a hint of light on the lake. The pair ...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
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Dappled sunlight dances across a pond where koi swim just below the surface. Gentle ripples and reflections mirror their carefree movements as they feed, while ...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
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A rugged cliff rises above a turquoise sea, the bold impasto capturing the textures and movement of land and water. The scene depicts the Carmel Highlands, a pl...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
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A watercolor painting depicting a serene coastal scene. A small white boat rests on calm water in the foreground, evoking tranquility. In the background, two ...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Watercolor
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Iris flowers sway among the grass in a sun-dappled landscape. Their petals reveal subtle shifts in color, from soft greyish purples to deep burgundy tones. Hint...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
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A tiny beach on Maui offers just enough space for a few painters or beachgoers to settle in. The breeze gently sweeps the tree and pushes the waves between the ...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
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Light spills through a window onto a vacant rocking chair in a striking silhouette. A basket of yarn rests patiently at its side, waiting to be used. The painti...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
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Artist Lisa Elley painted this plein air work in the redwoods of coastal California. Standing on the forest floor, she felt the hush of old trees and the shafts...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
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A sunlit path winds through a lush hill in Provence, leading the eye toward distant mountains. Bright green brushstrokes suggest tall grasses and trees swaying ...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Acrylic
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A quiet country road cuts through open fields, its pale surface catching the sunlight. Lavender fields stretch in the distance. Palette knife and brush strokes ...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Acrylic
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Vibrant purple irises bloom at the water’s edge, evoking a sense of calm and tranquility. Gentle curves of the shoreline guide the eye toward a peaceful expan...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Acrylic
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
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Pink and yellow tulips bloom under the bright sunlight, their green leaves reaching upward. Small clouds drift above the hill, completing the serene springtime ...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Acrylic
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A pair of hummingbirds soars above, searching for a place to land. Their rich, jewel-toned bodies stand out against the soft sky. Inspired by artist Karen Bar...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
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Boats line a picturesque marina, their colors reflecting softly on the water. Artist Jonelle Summerfield shares that in preparation for the Camino de Santiago, ...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
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Vibrant pink roses and purple irises stand out against a teal blue background. Soft, flowing brushstrokes suggest the delicate movement of petals stirred by a g...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
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A field stretches across the Warwick countryside, echoing the vastness of the sky above. The clouds add softness to the scene. Rich reds and browns fill the for...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Acrylic
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A bustling street brims with life as people stroll past rows of brick buildings adorned with elegant architectural details. The painting captures the essence of...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Watercolor
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The horizontal shadows, when paired with the vertical cliffs and wayward grasses, create a pleasantly complex sight on the Airport Mesa Trail in Sedona. The d...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
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This painting is inspired by the architecture of quintessential Italian villages. The sunlight accentuates the charming stone walls and shutters, while the fl...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
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The rolling Cotswold hills in England blend with the misty sky. Painted with a brush and palette knife, the rich strokes capture the depth and lushness of the f...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Acrylic
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Step onto the marbled streets of Rovinj, Croatia, and hear the soothing sound of the rain. The painting captures a tranquil spring afternoon, with shoppers le...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
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Artist Joanie Ford created this pastel artwork using high quality pure pigment pastels. A sailboat glides across calm water, its silhouette reflected in the shi...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Pastel
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In this warm impressionist painting, artist Onelio Marrero captures his love of antiques and collectibles. He depicts the eclectic clutter of an antiques store ...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
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A peaceful bay stretches along an Irish countryside, where the hills slope down to meet the soft curve of the shore. Bold strokes and earthy colors capture the ...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Acrylic
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Rich reds, golds, and oranges create a minimalist yet dramatic seascape. The panoramic format evokes a sense of vastness and tranquility. Slightly darker edges ...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
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Artist Sara Sisun painted this self-portrait from a mirror in her studio in Boulder, Colorado. Flowers, headphones, and other household items add a personal tou...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
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The painting captures the essence of the seaside on a warm day. The scene highlights the sparkling blue ocean meeting the rugged shore while bold strokes pain...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Acrylic
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Tall trees frame the edge of a lake while reeds rise on its sandbar. Sunlight reflects off the calm water, casting a golden glow on its surface. The scene embod...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
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A sweeping view of rolling hills showcases rural fields divided into sections of different crops in the distance. Closer to the foreground, the landscape beco...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Acrylic
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Fiery clouds streak across the sky, gently illuminating the dark landscape below. In the distance, hints of cobalt blue contrast sharply with the red-orange g...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
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A narrow path cuts through a lush vineyard, its gray surface blending with the muted sky and highlighting the greenery. Distant roofs and poles add rural rhythm...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Acrylic
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A field of tulips bursts into bloom along Chicago’s iconic Michigan Avenue. The softened architecture glows under a pastel-hued sky, while rich strokes of pin...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
The beach in San Sebastian, Spain, is a chaotic paradise. People fill the sand and water, walking around to show off their stylish beachwear, and playing betwee...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
