Chapter 30: 19th Century Art in Europe and the United States

ImpressionismMagister RicardAP Art History

19th Century Artistic Developments: The “-isms”

Neoclassicism (early 19th)

Romanticism (early 19th)

Realism (mid 19th)

Impressionism (late 19th)

Post-Impressionism (late 19th)

The “-isms”

• Romanticism – explores feelings and emotions in art found in a classical framework

• Realism – stressed positivism, objectivity, and challenged the standards of the academies

• Impressionism – would also deviate from academies but in both subject matter and technique

• Post impressionists – deviate further by exploring depictions of color and shape, art for art’s sake

Salon des Refuses

• 2,800 rejected submissions to the Salon of Paris (of 5,000 total) were exhibited in the Salon des Refuses

• These rejected works were divided into academics (worthy) and independents (too modern)

• Establishes an alternative to accepted forms of art, important in developing future art trends

Japonisme

• Japan had been closed to the West until 1850 when the US formed trade agreements

• Japanese culture became very popular in Europe

• Woodblock prints became very important to Impressionists and Post-impressionists

• Ukiyo-e, “floating world”, depicted vignettes from Japanese culture

Japanese Woodblock Prints•C

ropped images and edges

C

•Flatness, no volume

F

•Intimate moments, private

I

•Decorative patterning

D

How to Tell Impressionists ApartArtist Manet Monet Renoir Degas

Subjects Updated old masters themes, contemporary scenes with hard edge

Landscapes, waterfronts, cliffs, Rouen Cathedral; later work abstract water lilies

Voluptuous women, peach-skinned nudes, cafes, children, flowers

Human figures in stop-action poses: ballerinas, horse races, nudes bathing

Colors Dark patches, used black as accent; early somber, late colorful

Used primary colors, sunny hues, shadows are dabbed side by side

Rich reds, primary colors, detested black, opted for blue instead

Soft pastels early, broad smears of acid-colored pastels later

Style Simplified forms Focused on light of subject, soft edges

Quick brushstrokes, blurred figures

Figures at edges, offbeat angles, voids

Advice Artist seeks to be himself

See objects as reflecting color

Paint with joy and passion

Even reality must be composed

Avant-Garde: Trailblazing

• The term originally refers to military units that have advanced further than the rest of the army

• Salons where state-run exhibitions, required application for exhibition

• Impressionists were appreciated by other artists – not general public

• Once a style becomes mainstream, no longer avant-garde – Impression would achieve this in 1890s

• Exhibitions shift from salon to private gallery

What is Impressionism?

• Momentary slice of life• Captures the effects of light on color– Limits the use of black paint• Dark greens, brown, purple, blue

– Juxtaposition of complementary colors for shadow• Cropped edges