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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The sun filters through a grove of trees, casting cool shadows on the ground. Brown, green, and pale green trunks provide varying visual points, creating quiet ...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Acrylic
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A pale, winding path curves gently through a grassy expanse. Subtle textures and layered brushwork suggest motion and a soft atmospheric depth. Hues of green, b...
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Oil
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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...
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Watercolor
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A tranquil seascape captures the golden glow of sunset as it reflects across tidal pools and wet sand. Soft waves ripple toward the horizon, while distant islet...
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Oil
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"One of my favorite neighborhoods is the East Village in New York City," says artist Carey Parks. She paints three women taking a l...
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Acrylic
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Artist Stanislav Sidorov exhibits colorful umbrellas spread along the busy streets of New York. A bright display of hues parades along the streets amidst wate...
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Oil
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The rugged beauty of the Oregon coast unfolds as land and sea collide in a dynamic display. A hazy summer sky drifts above, while broad, weathered rocks anchor ...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
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Artist Catherine McCargar illustrates alluring red flowers in a background of white. She captures the delicacy and transparency of gorgeous poppies she noticed in a local public garden. She creates a somewhat stylized arrangement of blooming stems. "It is punctuated by the addition of the buds as they dangle before bursting forth the seed capsules that remain after the petals drop," says Catherine.
About the Artist
Impressionist Catherine McCargar expresses her deep admiration of nature through landscape paintings of Northern California...
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Watercolor
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Rendered in bold strokes and a vivid, expressive palette, this acrylic painting captures the focused intensity of a horse mid-match. The cropped composition dra...
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Acrylic
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A charming vintage home nestles among rows of grapevines, surrounded by the golden and green hues of harvest season. Artist Catherine McCargar painted the scene...
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Watercolor
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A dreamlike mountain vista shrouded in mist and drifting light. Atmospheric layers of fog roll over forested hills and snowy valleys, while beams of soft light ...
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Oil
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The Russian forests that I grew up exploring were somewhat like those in eastern Canada and the Northeast US. You can just as e...
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Acrylic
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In this seascape, artist Elizabeth Garat paints crashing waves against rust-colored cliffs. The late afternoon sun creates a dynamic interplay of warm and cool light, illuminating the rocks and surf along California’s central coast. Distant hills and coastline offer a tranquil backdrop to the vivid contrasts in the foreground.
About the Artist
Artist Elizabeth Garat paints impressionist landscapes, seascapes, and scenes from her travels that reflect her deep connection to the natural world. “Exposure to nature early on planted the seed of landscape painting in me,†says Elizabeth. Raised between California and Colorado, she spent her formative years outdoors—exploring her grandfather’s sheep ranch, walking beaches with her grandmother, and discovering California Impressionism in the galleries of Laguna Beach. She later studied with noted photographer MacDuff Everton at UC Santa Barbara and trained in plein air painting with Maddine Insalaco and Joe Vinson in Italy. Elizabeth works from a bright studio converted from her home’s detached garage, complete with barn wood walls, a skylight, and a Dutch door...
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Oil
2010s Impressionist More Art
Oil
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Tree-studded hills and valleys in California glow under the summer sun. Dramatic shadows in deep blues and purples dot the golden grass, creating a striking c...
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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...
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Oil
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A golden glow fills the early morning sky overhead a vast desert. Shades of red, green, and orange capture the essence of the landscape. The scene evokes a se...
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Acrylic
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Artist Maurice Dionne illustrates a glimpse of O'Connor Street in Ottawa. He draws inspiration from the quality of light and the steeple, evident in the background. The light, the cars, and all the reflections create dynamic movement in the scene. "In sketching, I left a lot of impressionistic areas to catch your imagination," says Maurice.
About the Artist
Artist Maurice Dionne paints watercolor scenes of Ottawa, from quiet city walks to charming Victorian homes. "The transparency of the medium is truly remarkable; it allows so much light to shine through," says Maurice. He devotedly captures the mood and vibrancy most often inspired by the people around him. He finished a degree in science but ultimately decided to embrace his true freedom of expression. Now a full-time artist, he commits to a home studio as his haven of creativity, where he has access to artist-grade material that ensures that his pieces will be archival and endure the test of time. Maurice's work received merits from The Marketer Art Competition in 2020 and 2021 and was featured in the Electric Street Gallery, Ottawa Art Gallery, and Art Gallery of Ontario. He relishes cycling, hiking, kayaking, reading, and visiting specialty coffee shops with his spouse in his spare time.
Words that describe this painting: street, road, watercolor, cars, buildings, pedestrians, city, cityscape, architecture, travel, Canada, dome, buildings, impressionism, paper, architecture, impressionism, travel, watercolor painting, beige
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Watercolor
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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...
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Oil
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Artist Tara Zalewsky-Nease reimagines the classic Old Master’s study of a pewter vase, infusing it with her lush, gestural style. A garlic clove resting on th...
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Oil
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The painting depicts a quintessential view of Portland, Maine's Old Port. Fishing boats are moored in the harbor, their reflections dancing on the serene blue...
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Oil
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A solitary, weathered cabin stands quietly in a vast, open desert. Bare trees stretch upward, while the ground lies blanketed in snow. Stark black and white t...
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Oil
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A windswept pine leans over a shimmering inlet, its roots gripping rocky terrain streaked with moss. Swirling clouds dance across the spring sky, echoing the mo...
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Oil
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Gentle waves lap on a quiet beach. The palette knife strokes mimic the soothing motion of the waves, complemented by the softness of the clouds and the wispy ...
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Oil
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Bright sunlight sweeps across the landscape. Lush bushes and palm trees line the roadside, casting soft shadows below. Rolling hills rise on the horizon, hazy i...
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Acrylic
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Fresh, crisp air overtakes the remnants of fall in this impressionistic painting. The soft, filtered light of sundown paints the riverbanks in golden hues. Caug...
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Oil
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Spring blooms brightly on the Edwards Plateau, northwest of San Antonio in the Texas Hill Country. A meadow bursts with yellow, red, and orange flowers, while o...
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Acrylic
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As low-lying clouds blanket the surrounding hills, artist Onelio Marrero captures the tranquil allure of the Glendalough Monastery in Ireland on a rainy day. ...
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Oil
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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...
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Oil
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Artist Carey Parks depicts three kids standing outside a suburban neighborhood. She uses an old family photo to capture the essence...
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Acrylic
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Light and shadow play harmoniously in the courtyard of Museo de Bellas Artes in Seville, Spain. Foliage basks in the sun, while the fountain stays cool in the...
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Oil
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The artwork captures the essence of a quaint Parisian café. Artist James Nyika's use of color and light brings the scene to life, creating a sense of warmth ...
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Watercolor
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This plein air painting captures a eucalyptus tree shimmering in the warm late afternoon light. Behind an embankment, only the masts of sailboats and the roofli...
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Oil
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A solitary, weathered cabin stands on the shore, its peeling paint catching the light of a pastel sunset. Neglect whispers from its broken windows. The scene ...
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Acrylic
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Shallow bay waters meet the quiet shoreline. Trees line the edge while rocks dot the foreground. Artist Andres Lopez painted the scene in plein air. His impress...
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Oil
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Soft morning mist drifts across a local park in Jersey City. A towering tree anchors the scene as others fade into dreamy silhouettes in the distance. Artist Br...
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Oil
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Bright sunlight filters through the leaves of a towering live oak tree, casting dappled shadows on the winding path below. Surrounding foliage creates a rich ...
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Acrylic
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Mallard ducks cast their reflections on the swiftly moving water, with a pair gracefully gliding near a third one perched on a log. Dynamic brushwork and pale...
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Oil
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An evening in Rome unfolds with warm lights illuminating a narrow passage near Piazza Navona. The lively atmosphere of bustling cafes and shops contrasts with...
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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 ...
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Acrylic
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Linen, Oil
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This painting depicts the rustic log houses populating the starting point of the Blue Ridge Trail, stretching from Southern Pennsylvania to Georgia. The satur...
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Oil
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Parisian rooftops stand out with their distinctive charm, making the city's skyline instantly recognizable. The architecture, rich with patina, blends turquoise...
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Oil
19th Century Impressionist More Art
Watercolor
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Painted on location along Maui’s windward side, the piece captures a painting spot in the shade of permanently wind-bent trees. Their arching branches create ...
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Oil
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Artist Yangzi Xu captures a serene moment in Chicago's Theatre District. The quiet streets, dusted with a thin layer of snow, absorb the soft glow of the stre...
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Oil
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Artist Onelio Marrero lives just minutes from the New Jersey shore, where he and his wife enjoy long walks along the beach. In the quieter winter months, the ...
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Oil
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The sun shines bright, filling the sky with fiery colors. Constant TV news rumbles in the background, pushing its chaos into the present. Matters of the planet,...
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Acrylic
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A road stretches toward the horizon, flanked by wide open fields under an expansive sky. Deep blue clouds gather in the distance, hinting at a refreshing rain o...
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Acrylic
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People revel in the beauty of a sun-soaked beach and refreshing water. A man runs along the sandy shore, while a woman in a yellow swimsuit wades into the spa...
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Watercolor
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A cherub statue and a sliced pear rest among vibrant purple flowers and lush leaves. The warm, earthy soil complements the greenery. Artist Sherri Aldawood pa...
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Oil
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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...
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Acrylic
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Set against the sleek lines of a modern cafe, this piece captures the quiet humanity behind the counter. The barista—mid-sip or lost in thought—becomes a fi...
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Oil
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An abundance of foliage thrives by a small lake, basking in the morning sun. The running water distorts the leaves' reflections on its surface, creating a shimm...
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Oil
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Sunlight illuminates the garden while weathered interior walls bask over the passage of time. It tells the story of a home once alive with the sound of childr...
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Acrylic
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Artist David Thelen presents a serene spot nestled in a mountain range. The water's edge glimmers at the foot of towering trees, while lush foliage adorns the...
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Oil
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Sunlight filters through the dense leaves, casting dappled shadows on an allée. The trees form a natural corridor, leading deeper to the tranquil trail. Painted with a brush and palette knife, the scene's warm palette and rich texture evoke the soothing essence of a summer day.
About the Artist
Artist Janet Dyer...
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Acrylic
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Golden sunflowers stretch across the field, their broad faces turned toward the light. Their bold yellow petals radiate vibrant energy while their lush green le...
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Oil
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Cedar trees, bluebonnets, and cacti grace a hilltop near Willow City, Texas. A body of water peeks through the edge of the grass-covered ground. The painterly...
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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 ...
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Oil
