Impressionist Painters Who Shaped the Iconic Movement
The term ‘Impressionism’ was coined in 1874 by the French art critic Louis Leroy, who used the term to derogatorily describe the new style of painting exhibited in the first impressionist exhibition in Paris. Little did Leroy know that the new style of painting he ridiculed would come to define an entire art movement and dominate the art world throughout the 19th century.
Today, Impressionist painters are still regarded as some of the most influential painters of modern history and there are many iconic names who truly shaped the movement. Here’s a look at seven iconic Impressionist painters who revolutionized art and had a huge impact on the Impressionism.
Claude Monet
Monet is one of the most iconic Impressionist painters of all time. In 1874, partially due to Monet’s influence, an exhibition of the impressionists was held in Paris and Monet’s painting, Impression, Sunrise, was featured and caught Louis Leroy’s attention, whose review of the show derisively gave impressionism its name. Monet was one of the most prolific of all the impressionist painters and his work can be found in some of the most illustrious museums in the world.
Pierre-Auguste Renoir
Renoir was a French painter and one of the leading figures of the Impressionism movement. He co-founded the Société des Artistes Indépendants with other notable impressionist painters like Paul Cézanne and Alfred Sisley. He preferred to paint outdoors and concentrated on the themes of typical Parisian daily life, celebrations, women in nature, young couples and children. His work, Bal du moulin de la Galette, has become one of the most iconic paintings of the Impressionist Movement.
Edgar Degas
Degas was a French artist and a key figure in the Impressionism movement specializing in pastel drawings and oil paintings. He focused his attention on the depiction of dancers, horses and unclothed female figures. His painting, The Little Dancer of Fourteen Years, is one of his most famous and popular works of art and a prominent example of Impressionism.
Édouard Manet
Manet is often credited as the Painter of Modern Life and as the ‘First Modernist’ because of the new artistic style he embraced and his use of strong colors and simple composition. He was a French artist and one of the leading figures of the original Impressionist movement in the late 19th century. His painting, Luncheon on the Grass, is perhaps his most iconic work.
Paul Cézanne
Cézanne was a French Post-Impressionist painter who pushed the boundaries of Impressionism with his heavy use of geometric shapes and vibrant colors. His paintings have helped inspire the development of Cubism and Post-Impressionism and have helped cement his place as one of the most influential artists of the late 19th century. He was a close friend of Renoir and Monet and his work is considered to be a bridge between the 19th and 20th centuries.
Alfred Sisley
Sisley was a French Impressionist landscape painter who was born in Paris. His work focused on depicting rural French towns, the River Thames, bridges and French countryside. He was a close associate of the Société des Artistes Indépendants and his painting, The Bridge of Moret-sur-Loing, is considered to be a masterpiece of Impressionism.
Vincent Van Gogh
Van Gogh is arguably the most iconic of all the Impressionist painters, and his unique style of painting is one of the most recognizable in the world of art. He was a Dutch Post-Impressionist who used bright colors and thick brushstrokes in his paintings to capture the emotion and beauty of the landscape around him. His painting, The Starry Night, is one of the most iconic paintings of all time.
These seven iconic Impressionist painters helped shape the iconic movement and ushered in a new era of art and creativity. Many of their works are now considered masterpieces and have helped redefine the world of modern art. Their influence and spirit will continue to live on forever and their contributions to art and creativity will never be forgotten.
