Era: 1850 - 1925

Impressionism is an artistic movement born in France in the 1870s, characterized by a break with the academic conventions of the time. The Impressionists sought to capture the fleeting effects of light and atmosphere, often while painting en plein air. They used visible brushstrokes, bright colors and open compositions to depict scenes from everyday life, landscapes and fleeting moments.

The term “impressionist” comes from a satirical description by the art critic Louis Leroy du Charivari. He was inspired by the work “Impression, Sunrise” by Claude Monet presented during the first exhibition in 1874 and titled his article “The Exhibition of the Impressionists”, the term will make an impression and quickly become their distinctive mark.

Major artists of the movement included Monet, Edgar Degas, Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Camille Pissarro, and Alfred Sisley. These artists rejected the historical and mythological subjects favored by the French Academy of Arts, preferring contemporary themes and innovative perspectives.

Impressionism initially attracted controversy and criticism, but gradually gained recognition and influence. The movement paved the way for many subsequent artistic developments, such as Post-Impressionism and Modernism, marking a watershed in the history of Western art. Obviously, Impressionism was the catalyst for the revolution in painting.