Publisher's Synopsis
This introduction to one of the greatest art movements of all time looks at the lives and inspirations of the Impressionist artists and showcases a selection of their most significant paintings. The seminal exhibition of 1874 that kickstarted the movement included work by Monet, Degas, Morisot, Pissarro and Renoir among others. These artists rejected traditional academic subjects and were painting landscapes and scenes of everyday life in a new and groundbreaking way. They often painted outdoors ('en plein air') with rapid brushstrokes, working quickly to capture the effects of light. This book describes how the group of artists discovered their shared interests, looks at the similarities and differences between the main Impressionists, and reveals how the movement evolved during last decades of the 19th century. Engaging and accessible descriptions of the Impressionists' paintings, describing their choice of subject matter and the techniques they used. Describes the life and work of all the major artists in the group, including Bazille, Caillebotte, Cassatt, Cezanne, Degas, Manet, Monet, Morisot, Pissarro, Renoir and Sisley. This beautifully presented introduction to the Impressionists may lead to further in-depth study.
