Definition & Meaning of "impressionism"

Impressionism

a movement in painting originated in 19th-century France that uses light and color in a way that gives an impression rather than a detailed representation of the subject

What is "Impressionism"?

Impressionism was an art movement that began in France in the late 19th century. Main figures of the movement included Claude Monet, Edgar Degas, and Pierre-Auguste Renoir. Impressionism is known for its focus on showing the effects of light and color in everyday scenes. Artists used quick and soft brushstrokes and bright, unmixed colors to create a sense of liveliness and movement, often painting outdoor scenes to show natural light. The goal was to show how a scene felt in that moment rather than detailed or realistic representations. Impressionism changed the way people viewed art by emphasizing how light and color affect the senses.

Example

Claude Monet's " Water Lilies " is a quintessential example of Impressionism, capturing the ephemeral beauty of light and nature.

The Impressionism movement revolutionized the art world in the late 19th century, emphasizing loose brushwork and vibrant colors over precise details.

She studied the works of Impressionism to understand how artists like Renoir and Degas captured everyday scenes with such dynamic light and movement.

word family

impress

Verb

impression

Noun

impressionism

Noun