Impressionism

The Impressionist movement, originating in France in the 19th century, was a style chiefly defined by visible brush strokes, a sense of movement, the inclusion of light in various forms and colors, and a usually ordinary subject matter depicted outside using the transient effects of natural sunlight. By taking the studio out into the everyday world, Impressionists deviated from previously accepted forms of art, as most influential art movements do, and painted not simply the subject matter, but how the human eye views that subject matter. There were many highly recognized Impressionist painters that this time in France; Renoir, Degas, Manet, Cassatt, Morisot, Monet, to name a few. Here, pictured below is Monet's Impression, Sunrise, the painting that inspired the movement it's title. Pictured above is Robert D. Harris' Ocean, demonstrating the clear effects of light through water and capturing both the simplicity and depth of these two elements.

For more incredible Impressionist paintings make sure you make it to San Francisco's De Young Museum's "Birth of Impressionism" exhibit opening this May 22ed where masterpieces from Paris' Musee D'Orsay will be displayed.