Starting page
Impressionism
various aspects
Introduction:
Walther writes ‘it’s not easy to define’ Impressionism (R3,p94). I think it helps to to discern Impressionim firstly as a painting style and secondly as an art-movement. This page also deals with various aspects on Impressionism and with the view of contemporary art-critics. On this starting page you will find some information on this and also links to pages with all sorts of information on Impressionism. See also the menu page on Impressionism.
Note: some pages that are referred to, still have to be developed (-/-), others are just started (+/–), others are under construction and still have to be extended (+/-).
Compare also Pre-Impressionism; Para-Impressionism; Neo-Impressionism; Post-Impressionism and Meta-Impressionism.
Impressionism as a painting style:
When we see Impressionism as a painting style, we can discern various aspects. Characteristic is painting on a specified location, also called en-plein-air. The Impressionists tried to catch the fleeting moment and used a Sketchlike painting. They used a vibrant brushstroke and Bright Colours. They tried to catch the effect of atmospherical influences (like time of day, seasons and weather conditions) on the colours of the objects. A beautiful example is the rendering of (leaves) filtered light. Typical also are the purple shades and a colourful rendering of white.
The impressionists are namely known for their landscapes. But there are also typical Impressionist portraits.
Between about 1886 and 1914 many other (foreign) artists also used an impressionist painting style.
In the future I will add some of their paintings.
Impressionism as an art-movement:
Impressionism is often seen as an art-movement. The problem is that several artists that were prominent in this movement, hardly did paint in an impressionist painting style and often used a more realist painting style. This makes the use of this term confusing. Therefore it is better to put it between brackets: ‘Impressionism’.
Most typical for ‘Impressionism’ as an art-movement are the 8 ‘impressionist’ expositions held from 1874 – 1886. But, many partakers didn’t use an impressionist painting style. And these expositions (mostly) weren’t called “impressionist”. An important aspect of these expositions was that they were independant of the Salon. Many partakers joined just one or a few times with the expositions and continued to exhibit at the Salon. So, they were not very dedicated to the ideal of independant group exhibitions.
To discern which artist belonged to this ‘impressionist’ art-movement, we can look at the intensity of the contacts: meeting each other at various places; painting together; (see also a chronology of this meeting and painting together); correspondence with each other. The ‘impressionists’ also did portray each other or were portrayed and owned each others works.
When we look at the intensity of these contacts we can discern several circles of friends.
Note: You will find various aspects of ‘Impressionism’ as an art-movement on the starting page.
Various aspects of Impressionism:
On this website you will find pages dealing with various aspects of Impressionism. Dealing with the following questions and themes:
Why were the Impressionists called ‘impressionists’?
Who were the main Impressionists?
What were characteristics of the ‘impressionists’?
There are many myths repeated on Impressionism. Aspects that are partly true, are exaggerated, thus creating a one-sided view on Impressionism.
Impressionism according to contemporary art-critics:
In the second half of the 19th century there were various views how to define Impressionism. We will render the views of some contemporary art-critics:
+/– Impressionism according to Duranty.
+/- Impressionism according to Duret.
+/– Impressionism according to Geffroy.
+/- Impressionism according to Mallarmé.
Additional references (=aRx):
- en.wikipedia.com//impressionism (article on Impressionism; =iR3)
- Thoughtco.com/183262 (article on Impressionism as an art-movement; =iR417)
- artchive.com//impressionism (article on Impressionism as an art-movement; =iR202)
- khanacademy.org//impressionism (part of a course on art-history; by Beth Gersh-Nesic; =iR430)
- x
Recommanded citation: “Impressionism: starting page linking to various aspects. Last modified 2025/03/21. https://www.impressionism.nl/starting-page-impressionism/.”
Note: additional info will be added.