ImpressionismIn art, what can that possibly mean?

It’s really hard to give the definition of Impressionism without using the word “impression”.

Light was important to the Impressionists. They wanted to capture the moment.

Woman with a Parasol by Claude Monet

Impressionism

Light on objects and the shadows around them change during the day.

Impressionists wanted capture the way light changed colors in their surroundings. That’s how they captured the moment.

Shepherdess by Camille Pissarro

Impressionism

Dancers in Pink by Edgar Degas

ImpressionismMany of the Impressionists were from France where the movement started in the 1860s.

At first the public did not like their work. One newspaper critic called their work sketches or impressions, but not finished pieces.

Dancers in Pink by Edgar Degas

Boatingby Edouard Manet

Impressionism

Times change and now the Impressionists are among the world’s most popular artists.

Dancers in Pink by Edgar Degas

Boatingby Edouard Manet

Impressionism

Girl with a Watering Can

By Pierre-Auguste Renoir

Claude Monet

One of the central artists associated with Impressionism was Claude Monet.

Monet’s painting, Impression, Sunrise, inspired the name of the movement.

Impressionism

Impression, SunriseBy Claude Monet

Impressionism

Visiting his home and garden in Giverny, is like walking inside his paintings.

The water lilies are still there.

Impressionism

Water Lilies by Claude Monet

Impressionism

Water Lilies by Claude Monet

Impressionism