Art Appreciation

Back in the 19th century a loosely based association of artists based in Paris, led by painter Claude Monet, began an art movement. We call it Impressionism This name was derived from the title of a Monet piece, Impression: Sunrise. Impressionists were the rule breakers of academic painting. At least the style dictated by the French Academy of Fine Arts. The Academy placed esteem on portraits dedicated to both historical and religious themes. These works intensely mimicked reality while adding some drama. The Impressionists innovated and perfected clashing techniques. These included visible brushstrokes and open air composition called still today by its French term—en plein aire. The emphasis on the play of natural light made it notably different as well. The now-famous members of this prestigious group are Claude Monet, Pierre Auguste Renoir, Berthe Morisot, Edgar Degas, and Mary Cassat.

It was a technological invention that, during the Industrial Revolution, singlehandedly influenced Impressionism. Portable cameras enabled artists to capture spontaneity in composition and the natural and changing sunlight falling on landscapes.

Monet observed that light alone has the power of unifying a figure with the landscape. So he experimented by painting Women in the Garden outdoors when the sun was shining through the trees. This was the first picture to faithfully record the effect of outdoor light on the figure in sparkling color and deft brush work; something art aficionados take for granted in the 21st century! ArtSelect carries prints like this of his art. He was particularly talented at catching the reflection of the sun’s rays reflected on the surface of water and snow. He noticed that shadows always carried color in them—they were not in fact brown or gray. He wanted to convey the feeling of moving or quivering light, so his technique of handling paints became very free and loose.

So unconventional compositions were created that looked at nature and people in normal, everyday situations without the frills and structure dictated of academic painting. Imagine the main subject of a painting not necessarily commanding the viewer's eye, but instead blurring into a sometimes candidly larger reality. Does this not evoke a subdued image of a simple moment in someone’s life? The innovation of photography was accepted by the masses to undermine the importance of painting in modern society. Taking a family photograph was, and still is, of course, faster and more cost-effective than having a family portrait commissioned. The face of art is always changing and unpredictable, and always exciting to follow the trends.

A famous Frenchman, Pierre-Auguste Renoir, painted impressionistic art that is likely the most reproduced images in the history of art. He had a predilection for light-hearted themes and flowers and later in his career painted many portraits of lovely women. Many of his works present a vision of a forgotten (or maybe more accurately, imagined) world, full of sparkling color and light. The general air of delight and gaiety that surrounds much Impressionist painting is due in large measure to Renoir. Allposters and Overstock.Com are great stores that have prints or books about Renoir.

An interesting life story about Renoir involves the tragic arthritis that nearly struck him down in his later days. His hampered his movement forced him to paint by strapping a brush to his arm, and creating sculptures by directing an assistant who worked the clay. In all, his painting was always beautiful and optimistic like his view of life and his painful condition. His words were "The pain passes, but the beauty remains".

Mary Cassat is another great talent to note. Her subjects inclined toward the domestic and the intimate rather than the social and the urban of other famous artists. She supported the movement by promoting the works of Impressionists and encouraging friends to build their collections with it in the USA. Since her art was largely favorably received by critics she is credited with her contributions. Her earlier works were marked by gentle, golden lighting. But as a consequence of an exhibition of Japanese prints, her draftsmanship became more emphatic, her colors clearer and more boldly defined. Such is the way of the life of art! An unique aspect of her commitment print-making techniques that allowed her to become expert at it.

She admired the talent of Edgar Degas. Although he painted many other subjects, it was the ballet dancers, in both oil and pastel, that Degas would devote himself to. He appreciated the gracefulness of the female form. He enjoyed painting historical subjects and faithfully copied the old masters in the Louvre—yes, there were masters that dated back even before him! Throughout his life he would make over 700 copies of famous classical paintings. He took pride in his ability to work in a number of styles, including classical and realist styles, as well as romanticism. Being labeled as an Impressionist, as he often was, may not have been considered by him to be the highest compliment!