Impressionism is one of the most distinctive and well-known art movements of the 19th century. It was initiated by a group of French painters led by Claude Monet and characterized by the blurring of outlines and bright, pure colours. Famous Impressionist paintings are celebrated around the world, representing the evolution of art during this era.
Claude Monet
Considered the father of Impressionism, French painter Claude Monet was the only artist to remain with the movement from its beginning to the end. He was a leader and a pioneer in its techniques, which included broken brushwork and light-infused colour.
Famous Paintings from Claude Monet
- Impression, Sunrise (1872)
Perhaps the most famous of all Impressionist paintings, this oil on canvas was created in the small harbor of Le Havre. It was originally titled ‘Impression’, but when it was exhibited at the first Impressionist exhibition in 1874, it was entitled ‘Impression, Sunrise’.
- Water Lilies (1915-1926)
Monet’s Water Lilies series is probably the best-known of all his numerous works. He began painting these series in the late 1880s, inspired by the Japanese-style garden with water lilies at his home in Giverny, France.
- The Houses of Parliament, Sunset (1903)
This painting, also known as ‘The Parliment, London’, is one of Monet’s celebrated series of works based on architecture. This series was part of a period of his career where his theme of choice was urban panoramas.
Edgar Degas
Edgar Degas was another notable French Impressionist painter, remembered especially for his interest in the human figure. Unlike other Impressionists, he favored scenes of everyday life, urban settings and the human form in motion.
Famous Paintings from Edgar Degas
- Ballet Rehearsal on the Stage (1874)
This painting portrays a scene of a ballet rehearsal taking place on a stage. It was part of a series that he created on the theme of the modern dance.
- The Dance Class (1873)
This work is from the same series as ‘Ballet Rehearsal on the Stage’ and is another depiction of a ballet class. It focuses on each dancer’s individual manner of performing.
- A Suffering Mother (1885)
This painting was based on a work by Eugène Delacroix from 1844. It portrays a woman in mourning, a symbol of the suffering of her people.
Paul Cézanne
Paul Cézanne was a French painter of the Post-Impressionist period and a mentor of cubism. He was a founding member of the Impressionist movement and a noted landscape painter. He developed a style of painting that focused on the effects of light and vibrant, uneven brushstrokes.
Famous Paintings from Paul Cézanne
- The Large Bathers (1906)
This painting is widely considered one of Cézanne’s greatest works and was created over a series of years. It depicts a group of nude figures and has been interpreted in various ways.
- Mont Sainte-Victoire Seen from Les Lauves (1902-04)
This painting, also known as ‘Mount Saint-Victoire’, is an oil on canvas depicting the mountain—the subject of many of his paintings. It is considered one of his finest works.
- Still Life with Apples and Oranges (circa 1899)
This oil on canvas, also known as ‘Bowl of Fruit’, is one of his still-life paintings. It focuses on the use of colour and texture to create a fresh and vibrant artwork.
Vincent van Gogh
Vincent van Gogh was a Dutch Post-Impressionist painter whose famous works represent an emotional, turbulent period of history. He used bright and vivid colours to express his emotions and formed a distinct style, best remembered in his ‘Starry Night’ painting.
Famous Paintings from Vincent van Gogh
- The Starry Night (1889)
The Starry Night is an oil on canvas painting that depicts a night sky filled with twinkling stars and a crescent moon. It was painted while van Gogh was an inpatient in an asylum in Saint-Remy.
- Sunflowers (1888)
This painting is a part of a series of still-life works with the same subject. It depicts a bouquet of yellow and white flowers in a vase and is perhaps the most recognisable of his works.
- The Harvest (1888)
This painting portrays a rural harvest scene and is composed of thickly applied paint arranged in both vertical and horizontal strokes. It was created during his period of residence in south of France.
As one of the most venerated movements in art history, Impressionism has left a lasting impact on modern art. Famous Impressionist paintings created by acclaimed artists such as Monet, Degas, Cézanne and van Gogh are some of the most recognizable works in the world. These artworks demonstrate the evolution of painting during this period and represent the captivating styles used by the Impressionist artists.
