Impressionism

Impression, soleil levant - a work by Claude Monet and probably one of the most historically relevant pieces of contemporary art that has ever existed: "Impression - I was certain of it. I was just telling myself that, since I was impressed, there had to be some impression in it and what freedom, what ease of workmanship! Wallpaper in its embryonic state is more finished than that seascape." Words from the scathing review of one Louis Leroy in a publication called Le Charivari which was published under the satirical title "The Exhibition of the Impressionists"; words that awarded this epoch in history its name, the Impressionist movement. Read more...

In asking what is defined as impressionist artwork, one could as well as "What defines passion" or "What defines the soul"? The answers to these are of course numerous and undeniably complex. But so is impressionism, as it does not rely on one specific reason for its existence, but on a variety of shared ideas, passions and freedoms that sought to differentiate itself from the constraints of a morbid belief system. These are, however, only abstract concepts; impressionism can be depicted, to a very large degree through an instruction of techniques and colours but would ultimately not exist without a singular very important aspect of humanity: essence. Read more...

Throughout the ages mankind has always advanced most notably with the aid of a singular venerable catalyst: Freedom. In the world of art, it was that most profound of human desires that inspired a group of artists to give rise to a new movement that would soon spread throughout the world: Impressionism. And like all such movements throughout the course of history, there are now only a handful of those who remain devout to its philosophy throughout their lives.

In relation to impressionism, some of the many who could be regarded as its true champions include Claude Monet, Berthe Morisot, Alfred Sisley and Camille Pissarro. Naturally it is only upon close inspection that we see why these artists are awarded such esteemed positions within history. Read more...

Perhaps one of the most famous paintings in the impressionist period is the one that supplied this movement with its name: Impression, soleil levant by Claude Monet. It was, however, only after an exhibition in April 1874 that a review entitled "The Exhibition of the Impressionists" by one Louis Leroy brought the artistic manifestation of this movement into the public spotlight, and thus giving birth to what we know today as impressionism.

Characteristic of Impression, soleil levant is that it seemed unfinished and lacking in detail to the critics of that time, a quality which is at the very centre of impressionism as it suggests rather than states; it is the essence of something rather than an actual depiction. Read more...