The Impressionist Period

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The Impressionist Period
Degas self-portrait (1863)
Renoir self-portrait (1875)
Monet self-portrait (1886)
In 1873 in France, a group of artist friends
decided they didnt like the traditional club of
artists there, called the Salon, and started
their own club, called the Cooperative and
Anonymous Association of Painters, Sculptors, and
Engravers. Included in this club were the
artists Claude Monet, Auguste Renoir, and Edgar
Degas. Their art is known as Impressionist art.
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What is Impressionism?

• Impressionism is an art movement that began in
  the mid to late 1800s in France.
• The name Impressionism came from the title of a
  painting by Claude Monet called Impression,
  Sunrise.
• With Impressionist art, the emphasis was on the
  overall effect of the painting instead of the
  exact details of each object in the painting (in
  other words, the impression it gives you).
• Impressionists wanted to break from traditional
  techniques and themes. They wanted to paint about
  nature, people, and regular things people do.

Impression, soleil levant C. Monet 1872

• What is this a painting of?
• What objects do you get an impression of?
• Where do you see light?

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Impressionism Monet

• The Impressionists liked to set up their easels
  and canvases outside to paint (called en plein
  air). Before, most artists painted indoors in
  studios.
• The style of painting is usually marked by
  visible brushstrokes, and there is an emphasis on
  light.
• Where can you see light and shade in this
  painting? Can you see whats on the other side of
  the tree? What colors are mostly used here?

River Scene at Bennecourt Seine C. Monet, 1868
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Photography and Impressionism

• Photography was gaining popularity during this
  time.
• Photography inspired Impressionist painters to
  capture a moment in their paintings like a
  moment of light during a day (sunlight,
  moonlight, noontime) or a moment in the life of
  ordinary people (similar to a snapshot or picture
  on your camera).
• Photographs were only black white then, so
  artists really concentrated on colors in their
  photo-like paintings.
• This is an actual photo of the artist Claude
  Monet in his garden. What can you see in this
  picture?

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This is Monets painting of the same
garden. What is the same as was in the
photograph? Are these the colors you imagined
when you saw the black white photo? What do
you like about this painting?
Bridge over a Pond of Water Lilies, 1899 C. Monet
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This is the same garden at Monets house. This
time it is the pond under that bridge. It is
like a close-up photo. What colors are different
than the bridge picture? Do you think Monet
liked his garden? Do you like his paintings?
C. Monet Water Lilies 1916
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Poppy Field near ArgenteuilC. Monet, 1873
Monet liked to paint his wife Camille and his
son Jean. What else can you see in this painting?
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Do you remember what perspective in art means?
Here is another painting with Camille and Jean.
Is Jean next to Camille? What can you say
about the way Monet used perspective
here? Where would you be standing inthis
painting if you had this sameview?
C. Monet The Walk (Woman with a Parasol) 1875
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Impressionism - Renoir

• Renoir's paintings have vibrant light and lots of
  color, most often focusing on people in a moment
  in time, like in a photograph.
• In the Impressionist style, Renoir suggested the
  details of a scene by freely brushed touches of
  paint, so that his figures softly blend with one
  another and their surroundings.
• Find all the people with yellow hats. Where are
  they looking? What might they be thinking?
• How is this painting like a photograph? How is
  the next painting like a photograph?

A. Renoir Luncheon of the Boating Party
1880-1881
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Monet
A. Renoir Dance at Le Moulin de la Galette (Le
Bal au Moulin de la Galette) 1876
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Renoir
This is one of Renoirs most recognized
paintings. Where do your eyes go first when you
look at it? Why do you think that is? What
colors does the painter use? What do you think
was his favorite color in this painting? Do you
think these girls are looking at or are thinking
the same thing? Why is this like a photo?

• A. Renoir Two Sisters (On theTerrace) 1881

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Renoir
Here is another Renoir painting showing people in
a moment in time. What do you think is happening
here? What might happen next? What is unusual
about the light in this painting?
A. Renoir The Swing 1876
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Impressionism - Degas
Edgar Degas was a painter and avid photographer.
He encouraged other artists to paint real life
scenes. He did not like to be called an
Impressionist, even though he had many friends in
the group and exhibited his paintings with
them. He especially did not like painting
outdoors! He is known for many paintings of
dancers. What can you see in this painting? Where
is light and shadow in this painting?
E. Degas The Dance Class 1874
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Degas
What is going on in this painting? How is this
like a photograph?
E. Degas The Curtain 1880
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Impressionism - Degas
How does Degas use perspective in this
painting? Who do you think is the main character
in this painting? Why do the dancers have more
light on them than the orchestra does?
E. Degas The Orchestra at the Opera House c. 1870
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Impressionism - Degas
Degas also liked to paint pictures of horses and
horse racing. Just like with dancers, he liked
to paint the little things that were happening
before the major action (ballet or horse race)
took place.
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Degas - Sculpture
E. Degas The False Start 1881

• Degas also did sculpting, mostly with wax.Many
  of his sculptures were cast in bronze after his
  death. The dancer has a fabric skirt!
• Do you like these sculptures?

E. Degas Little Dancer of Fourteen Years 1881
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ART RESPONSE

• Draw your garden or a part of your garden. Paint
  with crayons using big blurry strokes. Later, do
  a close up drawing of something in your picture.

C. Monet Irises in Monets Garden 1900