Impressionism, a historical reconstruction
1st impressionist exposition 1874
Overview used techniques
Which techniques were used in 1874?
Which techniques or media were used by the 31 partakers at the 1st ‘impressionist’ exposition in 1874?
Probably 102 oil paintings were exhibited, just about 45,3% of the total amount of 225 art-works. Probably 5 partakers didn’t exhibit oil paintings.
Notable are the many engravings exhibited by 5 partakers, namely by Félix Bracquemond: 32x (catalogue nos.24-28). Lepic showed 3 etchings (no.78-80). Giuseppe de Nittis probably showed 4 etchings (no.118). Léon Ottin showed 1 lithogrape (no.133). Rouart showed 2 etchings (no.157+158). So in total there were probably 42 engravings exhibited, about 18,7!% of the total amount of 225 art-works.
Typical for this exhibition also were the 10 sculptures of Auguste Ottin (nos.119-128), about 4,4% of the total amount of art-works.
Many (8) partakers exhibited aquarelles: Astruc, at least 8 of which at least 2 were gouaches (no.1-3), but probably all the other 6 works also were aquarelles (no.4-6); Attendu 3x (nos.10-12); Boudin 4x (no.22); Brandon at least 2, I assume 6 (no.31); Lepic 4x (nos. 74-77); Morisot 3x (nos.110-112); Rouart 3x (No.154-156); Robert showed at least 2 aquarelles (no.160). So in total there were probably 39 aquarelles exhibited, about 17,3% of the total amount of art-works.
The following 4 partakers exhibited pastels: Boudin 6x (no.20+21); Degas 1x (no.61); Monet 7x (nos.99-102); Morisot 3x (no.108+109+hc). Probably the pastel study of Renoir wasn’t exhibited (no.146). So in total there were probably 17 pastels exhibited, about 7,6% of the total amount of art-works.
The following 5 partakers exhibited drawings: Bracquemond 1x (no.23); Brandon 2x (no.30+32); Debras 1x (no.52); Meyer 1x (no.91bis). The catalogue indicates that Degas showed 4 drawings (nos.58+59+60+62). For the numbers 59 + 62 works done with thinned oil are suggested and for no.60 a grisaille oil painting. But as long as more certain suggestions are given and because for some numbers pure drawings are options, I assume they were all drawings. So in total there were probably 9 drawings exhibited, about 4% of the total amount of art-works.
There were 0 art-works exhibited made with mixed techniques, 0% of the total amount of art-works.
Some partakers used other techniques: Alfred Meyer showed 5 enamel art-works (nos.87-91). Léon Ottin exhibited a curtain made for a theater (no.132). So in total there were 6 art-works exhibited made with mixed techniques, about 3% of the total amount of art-works.
Several of the above mentioned works can also be seen as applied art: 3 book illustrations (etchings) by Félix Bracquemond (no.24-10 +27-2 +27-5) and also the works mentioned under the other techniques.
Here below you will find an overview.
You will see that just 45,3% of the art-works were oil paintings (=oil). Many engravings (=engr) were shown (18,7%), namely by Félix Bracquemond, who exhibited far out the most (33) art-works. Also many aquarelles (=aqua) were shown (17,3%), namely by Astruc. Obvious are the 10 sculptures of Auguste Ottin. In total there will be just 16 sculptures shown at the 8 ‘impressionist’ expositions. Obvious are also the 5 enamel art-works shown by Alfred Meyer. They are classified as other techniques (=var) and also can be seen as applied art. This also applies to the ‘project for a theater curtain’ by Léon Ottin, which maybe was a drawing. 7,6% of the art-works exhibited were pastels (=p), namely shown by Boudin and Monet and 4% were drawings (=dr), namely shown by Degas. Comtesse de Luchaire exhibited outside the catalogue (=hc). In total there were 31 partakers showing 225 art-works. See links for general info, the catalogue and a slideshow.
Explanation:
(obvious) high number.
(obvious) low number.
Recommanded citation: “Impressionism: Overview used techniques at the 1st ‘impressionist’ exposition in 1874. Last modified 2026/03/31. https://www.impressionism.nl/1st-impressionist-exposition-techniques/”