Vive la révolution!
the movement that set art free
impressionism
A derogatory term used by an art critic when describing Claude Monet’s
painting Impression: Sunrise
But first ...
What gave rise to this revolution?In the early 1800’s life was changing
fast with new industry, ideas of freedom in everything and frustration with the old ways.
Modern life had arrived and nothing was sacred anymore.
old school rejected
Classical art styles had little to do with modern life – nor the real world.
the tyranny of the salons
National Academies controlled the art that was exhibited at salons. Artists rejected from salons could not make a living.
“It is high time that someone have the courage to be an honest man and that he say that the
academy is a harmful, all-consuming institution, incapable of fulfilling the goal of its so called
mission”Gustave Courbet
salon of the rejectedIn 1863 the rejected artists held their first
exhibition. The revolution had begun. The painting that shocked the crowds...
Manet’s Le Dejeuner sur l’Herbe
new opportunities
Now new markets opened for new artists. Art dealers could promote new artists directly to the public.
Fresh, exciting and controversial art added new life to the art market.
Impressionism was no longer an insult, but rather an open art form accepted by artists and the public.
art for the people
Impressionists painted real lifeModern lifestylesRural scenes
The fleeting moment
Light and airand Colour.
All subjects were open for interpretation
different approaches
Impressionists did not follow the same rules.
They painted in different styles, with different materials, different subjects and went their own way.
Free to explore
GALLERY
Famous Impressionists
Eduard Manetthe enfant terrible
Bar at the Folies-Bergere 1881
Claude Monetthe giant of impressionism
Houses of Parliament
Berthe Morisota woman who defied convention
Jeu De Paume, Paris
Renoirmixed tradition with modern methods
The Luncheon of the Boating Party, 1881
Edgar Degasbrought new life to figure studies
The Dance Class
Toulouse-Lautrec
Graphic art showing the underbelly of Paris life. Modern commercial art was born.
Some stood apart
Like Vincent Van Gogh
Others tried new techniques
Like Seurat’s pointillism in Sunday Afternoon on the Ile de la Grande Jatte
and then Gauguin
Unique and full or symbolism:Vision after the Sermon
New directions: Paul Cezanne
The father of abstract art reduced shapes to cylinders, cones and spheres
To open the way for Picasso and others to forge new paths.
democratic art
change was widespread...With innovations in the manufacture of
paints and the invention of the paint tube painting became portable. Artists and hobbyists could paint anywhere at any time en plein air or in the studio.
Vive le révolution!
thank you!
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