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The Development of Impressionism

Impressionism was an art movement that emerged in the late 19th century, centered in Paris. It represented a fundamental shift in artistic thought, as its painters moved away from the highly detailed, realistic style favored by the traditional French art institutions, or Salons. Instead, the Impressionists sought to capture the fleeting, sensory effect of a scene—the "impression" an object or landscape made on the eye at a particular moment. This approach marked a rebellion against the established artistic conventions of the era.

The style of Impressionist painting is defined by several key characteristics. Artists used short, thick, visible brushstrokes to portray their subjects. They emphasized the accurate depiction of light and its changing qualities, often painting the same scene at different times of day to study the effects. Their subject matter was also a departure from tradition; instead of historical or mythological scenes, they painted ordinary life, from bustling cityscapes to quiet landscapes. To capture the momentary effects of sunlight, artists like Claude Monet often painted outdoors, a practice known as "en plein air," which was radical for its time.

Initially, the Impressionist movement was met with harsh criticism. The established art world and the general public found their work to be sketchy, unfinished, and jarring. However, over time, their innovative approach gained acceptance and went on to have a profound influence on the course of modern art. By prioritizing the artist's subjective perception over objective reality, Impressionism paved the way for numerous other movements, including Post-Impressionism and Cubism, and fundamentally changed how people thought about the purpose of art.