Impressionism

"Impressionism is the newspaper of the soul."

(Henri Matisse)

Impressionism is a 19th century art movement, which has its origins in France. The term itself has come up from a review of Monet's painting, Impression, Soleil Levant (1872). Impressionism challenged and revolutionised the established art until that time. Although Impressionists may have been critically received at the beginning, their revolutionary techniques provide a source of inspiration for many painters until nowadays. The French originated art movement had an impact not only in visual arts, but also in music and literature. Explore the Impressionist Movement by starting from What is Impressionism. Browse our curated list of artworks from reknowned impressionist painters such as Claude Monet, Renoir and others.

Famous Impressionism Quotes

There are many quotes regarding the Impressionist art movement. USEUM has composed this list of very famous quotes and comments on Impressionism from its very beginnings.

For an Impressionist to paint from nature is not to paint the subject, but to realize sensations.

Paul Cezanne

The point is that any piece of Impressionism, whether it be prose, verse or painting, or sculpture, is the record of the impression.

F. S. Flint

The so-called ‘discoveries’ of the Impressionists could not have been unknown to the old masters; and if they made no use of them, it was because all great artists have renounced the use of effects. And in simplifying nature, they made it all the greater.

Pierre Auguste Renoir

 

Impressionism is only direct sensation. All great painters were less or more impressionists. It is mainly a question of instinct, and much simpler than Sargent thinks. But he went on to agree that impressionists had noted how strong.

Claude Monet

 

Once the impression is captured, they declare their role finished.

Jules-Antoine Castagnary

 

Impressionism is the newspaper of the soul.

Henri Matisse

 

A good impression is lost so quickly...

Claude Monet

 

One morning one of us had runout of black; and that was the birth ofimpressionism.

Pierre-Auguste Renoir

 

Since the appearance of impressionism, the official salons, which used to be brown, have become blue, green, and red... But peppermint or chocolate, they are still confections.

Claude Monet

 

Impressionism; it is the birth of Light in painting.

Robert Delaunay