Impressionnisme

Impressionnisme, a movement in French art that originated in the 1860s, is characterized by its use of visible brush strokes, open composition, and emphasis on accurate depiction of light in its colors. The term "Impressionnisme" was coined by the art critic Louis Leroy in 1874, after a group of artists showed their works at the studio of photographer Nadar. The movement was initially derided by critics, who found the works too radical and unrefined, but it gained widespread recognition and acceptance in the late 1870s and early 1880s.

The Impressionnistes, as the group was known, included artists such as Claude Monet, Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Edgar Degas, Camille Pissarro, and Berthe Morisot. They sought to capture the fleeting effects of light and color, often painting en plein air (outdoors) to achieve this. Their works often depicted modern, urban scenes, as well as landscapes and seascapes.

Impressionnisme had a significant impact on the development of modern art. It influenced subsequent movements, such as Post-Impressionism, Fauvism, and Expressionism, and its techniques and themes continue to be explored by artists today. The movement's legacy can be seen in the works of many prominent artists, including Vincent van Gogh, Paul Cézanne, and Paul Gauguin, who were influenced by the Impressionnistes.