4 Things You Didn’t Know About Impressionism Art

Impressionism is a form of art that is known to be showcased in many museums. Impressionism art was popular during the late 1800s, but the effects of the movement have lasted to this current day.
Many people think about impressionism art and think directly of Claude Monet and his work, which started with his impression of a sunrise. But there are many other aspects and people involved in impressionism.

1. Impressionism was a radical act

There came a time in the 1870s when artists were beginning to tire of the strict academic guidelines forced upon artists. Artists were pushed towards creating works based on historical knowledge or mythological beliefs.
But many creative people wanted to start making art based on what beauty they saw in the world. Although it wasn’t seen as academic art, it was just as justified and beautiful in the eyes of the creators. The colors were brighter, and the art focused on nature and landscapes. The parts of an art piece became more subjective to the artist’s preferences, and art became aesthetic over academic.
The idea caught on for many artists, but not the official art establishment. They were rejected by academics, and many had to face the fact that they could only pursue an art career if they stuck to creating what was desired from them.
As an act of rebellion against the art establishment, several artists got together to host an exhibition full of impressionist art. The event was seen as a radical act, but caught on for some consumers and inspired many artists.
When the impressionist era ended, the artists involved went their separate ways to work on their own aesthetics. This allowed them to push past academic standards and embrace a new level of creativity within their work.

2. Some famous artists are known for their impressionistic works

Impressionism helped to boost the careers of several artists that are now famous for their works. Claude Monet, Pierre Renoir, Armand Guillaumin, and Alfred Sisley are all known specifically for their creations during the impressionist period.
Both Monet and Renoir have their art pieces displayed at the Louvre, which only highlights how revolutionary the movement itself had become. When the artists joined together to fight for their creative liberties, it allowed a new level of passion to be found within their artwork.
Although many artists went on to pursue different styles and techniques, the lasting effects of impressionism carried on throughout their work. You can buy some great impressionism art from Elena Bond.

3. Impressionism art revolves around complementary colors

Complementary colors became a leading factor for impressionist artists. Each began to experiment with colors that were opposite of each other on the color wheel. These colors would be very eye-catching, and it became a tool used to draw a viewer’s attention to certain aspects of the painting.
For example, if an artist was painting a bridge over a river, they would use blue for the water and might add touches of orange to the bridge to highlight the contrast between each landmark.
Another technique used in impressionism art was the lack of sharp and defined edges. This was one of the things that the art establishment did not approve of, mainly because they viewed it as sloppy or lazy.
But the idea centered around the way people view things. When someone looks out at a landscape, they will not take the time to see every detail of the faces of people in the distance. Many probably could not even attempt to due to poor eyesight and the general limitations of human vision.
The goal was to make features soft and brush strokes smooth so that the painting felt more like a vision from a human’s perspective. Although art is normally focused on the human perspective, these artists wanted things to feel more raw and real, since images are not as sharp in reality.

4. Architecture became popular through impressionism art

Due to the Industrial Revolution, architecture was being designed and built in vast multitudes in France. These bridges and buildings being constructed inspired impressionist artists to paint what they saw. Instead of great diplomats and royalty being painted, the landscape became the muse.

Artists were less inclined to use humans as their main subject, and they began to bring buildings to life with each stroke. This allowed people to see what architecture all throughout Europe looked like, even if people lived in more suburban or rural areas.
These impressionist artists saw each bridge and building as a symbol of growth and ingenuity. These artists were no longer focusing on the past, but looking toward the future. A new France is what they imagined as they painted the bridges being built.
When it came to the bridges being used as inspiration, artists would paint from any angle possible. They would find ways to go under bridges and paint from any perspective that would provide a unique vantage point.

How Impressionism is in Art Today

Since the impressionist era had such a major impact on the direction art was taken in terms of creative techniques and liberties, it still has a great impact on the artists of today. The use of complementary colors and landscape has helped painters diversify their work.
This movement also helped both current and future artists find the inspiration to work with their own aesthetic in order to create art that is more unique. The encouragement of passion over academia is a major key to success in the art community to this day.
Without artists like Claude Monet, who was willing to sacrifice a comfortable wage to make sure that the art he was passionate about was seen, there is a chance that the art we see today would not be as colorful and creative as it is. Art should be about emotion and creativity, and it is not something that is easily defined by rules.
Images: Canva