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
In her impressionist rendition, artist Lisa Elley portrays Claude Monet's iconic residence in Giverny, France, using a palette kni...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
2010s Impressionist More Art
Canvas, Oil
Artist Comments
The day is warm and sunny in a dense evergreen forest, but the shade keeps it cool, quiet, and calm. A narrow dirt path winds toward a clearing, where sunligh...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Acrylic
Artist Comments
Artist Carey Parks presents an impressionist still life of dainty flowers on a glass cylinder. Taking a small bunch from a large bo...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Acrylic
Artist Comments
Wildflowers bloom along a cliffside as clouds reflect the energy of crashing waves. Vibrant colors and thick textures bring the coastal landscape to life. Artis...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
This watercolor painting captures the rhythm of an urban street alive with daily activity. Cars line the road while pedestrians move along the sidewalks. Soft w...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Watercolor
Artist Comments
A silhouette of a single Monterey pine basks in the glow and soft light of the setting sun. The lavender surface of the ocean reflects the radiant sky. California-based artist Catherine McCargar loves taking painting trips to the coast. In this piece, she painted on Moonstone Beach in Cambria.
About the Artist
Impressionist Catherine McCargar expresses her deep admiration of nature through landscape paintings of Northern California. While she is well-versed in a range of media, her preferred medium for painting is watercolor. The fluidity of the paint allows her to capture the muted undertones and the fleeting light found in the natural world. While the backgrounds of her paintings are impressionistic, the foregrounds of her paintings are often highly detailed, showcasing her technical mastery over her medium.
Words that describe this painting: coastal, ocean, California, seaside, beach, path, sunset, tree, summer, sky, nature, grass, vacation, season, impressionism, nature, seascape, watercolor painting, blue
Coastal Summer Sunset...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Watercolor
Artist Comments
This painting was inspired by the beautiful scenery of the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. Mountain peaks are numerous with the Olympic Mountains...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Acrylic
Artist Comments
Artist Warren Keating captures a scene from an overhead perspective. A figure focuses intently on their phone, fully absorbed in the moment. Vibrant, sweeping b...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
Artist Karen d'Angeac Mihm paints vibrant sunflower fields, often inspired by Provence, but this time, she found inspiration close to home in Wisconsin. A stu...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
Winding trunks weave through dense foliage, depicting an overgrown forest. Hints of the sky peek through the vegetation, introducing new hues to the dominant ...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
A cluster of cacti bask in the warm afternoon light near Del Rio, Texas. The radiant sun highlights their prickly exteriors and vibrant colors. Contrasting wi...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Acrylic
Artist Comments
A peaceful sunset descends over Vancouver Island in Canada. Energetic brushstrokes and muted colors convey drifting clouds and distant mountains. Vibrant yet mo...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Acrylic
Artist Comments
Painted from life, a pink hyacinth emerges from a clay pot. Over several days, its blossoms gradually unfurl, revealing fresh petals. The leaves transition from...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Acrylic
Artist Comments
Bright yellow daffodils sit in a green glass, their vibrant petals exuding freshness. The fabric floral background adds to the liveliness of the scene. The comp...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Acrylic
Artist Comments
Sunflowers bloom in abundance beneath a blue summer sky dotted with puffy clouds. Lush green leaves frame the golden petals, enhancing their vibrancy. The scene...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Acrylic
Artist Comments
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...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
The sun emerges from behind a veil of clouds as pastel hues fill the sky, reflecting softly on the calm sea below. As demonstrated by this scene, artist Joanie ...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
A vineyard leads to a rustic cottage nestled among lush trees. Sunlight filters through the branches, casting dappled shadows onto the winding path. The soft an...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Watercolor
Artist Comments
This painting captures the setting sun over a game trail in Rockaway, NJ, artist Onelio Marrero’s hometown. A cold snap coated the ground, highlighting the ...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Mid-20th Century Impressionist More Art
Canvas, Oil
Artist Comments
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...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Acrylic
Artist Comments
Mountains rise with an imposing presence, dominating the evening landscape of Teton National Park. A vibrant treeline in the foreground glows with rich autumn h...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
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...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
Artist Maurice Dionne shows a view of the Rocky Mountains under a thick layer of snow. The skier, enticed by the vast expanse of pristine white powder, gracef...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Watercolor
Artist Comments
Using a palette knife, artist Janet Dyer paints a rural landscape in rich, jewel-like tones. A cloudy sky softens the light, revealing layered colors that shi...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Acrylic
Artist Comments
A cozy street in Prague glows with vibrancy after a rainfall. Refreshed leaves adorn the trees, houses exude a renewed radiance, and the wet pavement glistens...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
A river gorge reflects the calm colors of the expansive sky filled with soft, billowy clouds. Distant hills lining the horizon fade into mist. A dreamy atmosp...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
The lake in Wisconsin remains beautiful even in winter, its frozen surface turning white as snow accumulates. In the evening, the icy expanse reflects soft bl...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
Wisconsin's lakes transform with each season, offering endless inspiration. Each month brings unique light, colors, and textures, creating a constantly shifti...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
Sunlight bathes a traditional adobe courtyard with a kiva fireplace at the center. Hollyhocks, ristas, and lupine add pops of color against the neutral garden...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
Sunlight filters through lush foliage, casting dappled light on the river in Estella, Spain. Earthy tones define the rustic buildings lining the riverbank whi...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
Bathed in the glow from the window and an inner light, a woman sits in front of a piano. As she gently hits the keys, she plays her hopeful tune. This impress...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Acrylic
Artist Comments
This contemporary figurative painting captures the tranquil beauty of a gardener strolling down a garden path, viewed from above. The focal point is the garde...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
Mountain deserts have become a source of inspiration for artist Suren Nersisyan. The striking colors and dramatic contrasts at sundown create a vibrant and dy...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
Cobblestone streets climb toward an old elementary school in historic Church Hill, Richmond, Virginia. The bright sky contrasts with the warm brick architecture...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Acrylic
Artist Comments
Colorful zinnias fill a bright blue mug, each bloom depicted with loose strokes. The vibrant palette and relaxed brushwork create a lively, fresh atmosphere. Ar...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Acrylic
Artist Comments
Artist Jonelle Summerfield beautifully captures a quintessential view of Sedona's red rocks. The contrasting lush greenery enhances the warm landscape. The ru...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
Living by a lake provides artist Karen d'Angeac Mihm with endless inspiration, as the landscape transforms with each season. Every day offers a new perspectiv...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
The winter lake effect on the lowlands of St. Lawrence County, near Watertown, New York, produces heavy snowfalls. A thick layer of snow blankets the field an...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
Fields of grass stretch untouched except for a path leading into distant woods. Flowers bloom in the shaded foreground, while bright sunlight illuminates just b...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
A server, momentarily distracted from her duties, gazes at her phone, waiting for an important text. Though the setting suggests she should be peeling potatoe...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
Soft layers of violet, lavender, and muted green create a dreamy bouquet that feels both fresh and timeless. Loose, gestural brushwork and subtle drips give the...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Acrylic
Artist Comments
Olive trees fill an orchard in Provence, their leaves stretching towards the sky. Soft streaks of sunlight cast a gentle glow on the ground below. Painted usi...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Acrylic
Artist Comments
One of artist Tara Zalewsky-Nease's favorite genres is the kitchen still life. A prolific cook and painter, she creates compositions of singular ingredients, ca...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
Fiery colors light up the sky as the sun sets over calm water. When asked about his process, artist Benjamin Thomas shared that creating this piece took time. H...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Acrylic
Artist Comments
A rustic white barn stands in quiet solitude, its weathered walls telling a story of the past. A dirt path winds toward a misty, atmospheric backdrop. The sof...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Watercolor
Artist Comments
This artwork captures the hot, dry atmosphere of the Potomac Highlands in West Virginia. Rustic barns and copper-colored fields stand beneath a cloudless, viv...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
Trees burst with charming pink and white leaves under a clear blue sky. They stand beside a pavement, surrounded by vibrant green grass and orange foliage in ...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Acrylic
Artist Comments
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...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
Much of artist Benjamin Thomas's work is rooted in memory and mistakes rather than direct observation of life. After learning from his painting mishaps, he no...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Acrylic
Artist Comments
Artist Yangzi Xu captures the vibrant energy of downtown Chicago as dusk descends over the city. A cyclist glides effortlessly through the illuminated streets...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
A forest, painted in deep brown, creates a mysterious atmosphere late in the day. The bright yellow sky casts a golden glow onto the wildflowers in the foregr...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
A nude female figure reclines in a wooden chair, her posture evoking artist James McNeill Whistler's iconic painting of his mother. The soft interplay of ligh...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
Soft pastel hues flow across the tranquil waters as wispy clouds drift lazily overhead. There’s nothing quite like setting sail on Lake Champlain in Upstate...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Acrylic
Artist Comments
Artist Ruth LaGue presents an impressionist black barn with a prominent pink roof. Inspired by the shapes and patterns of the landscape, she draws the viewer'...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Acrylic
Artist Comments
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...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Acrylic
Artist Comments
The impressionist painting captures the serene beauty of Venice at dusk. A tranquil canal reflects the soft glow of twilight, while flower-filled balconies an...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
This painting depicts the rustic log houses populating the starting point of the Blue Ridge Trail, stretching from Southern Pennsylvania to Georgia. The satur...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
Artist Siyuan Ma shares a view of the Hanging Temple, a famous cultural landmark in China. Its Chinese name takes the character "Xuan" from Chinese Taoism an...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist More Art
Watercolor
