Just over 150 years ago, in the second half of the 19th century, a radical upheaval was brewing in the art world. A number of painters in Paris began to break away from traditional, academic painting styles and laid the foundation for an art movement defined by its fleeting and spontaneous character. They placed great emphasis on the interplay of light and color, thus making a decisive break from the clear lines and finely detailed compositions of Classicism. Carefully composed scenes with mythological or religious themes gave way to everyday moments, often painted on-site in natural lighting as part of plein-air painting. In doing so, they also followed in the footsteps of experimental techniques from Romanticism—artists like William Turner, Caspar David Friedrich, and John Constable had already mastered the art of capturing atmospheric lighting effects in their landscapes.
Key Figures of Impressionism
What is now considered a milestone in art history and a breakout from the traditional artist’s studio was initially met with intense criticism and ridicule. This new style of painting was seen by many as unfinished and hard to understand. Yet despite these early hurdles, Impressionism evolved into a defining force in modern art history. A major reason for this was the support of influential figures. Art dealer and gallerist Paul Durand-Ruel was an early champion of the young Impressionists, buying their works and exhibiting them to wide audiences. Art history icons such as Claude Monet, Camille Pissarro, Édouard Manet, and Edgar Degas were among Durand-Ruel’s closest allies, selling many of their early works through him.
Women in Impressionism
At a time when women were often denied access to official art academies, it was no easy feat to establish oneself as a female artist. For a long time, the female perspective in painting was overlooked or forgotten. Today, however, we know that many women were an integral part of the Impressionist movement. Painters such as Berthe Morisot, Mary Cassatt, Eva Gonzalès, and Marie Bracquemond played a key role in shaping Impressionism. All of them lived and worked in Paris and exhibited their works alongside Monet, Manet, Renoir, Cézanne, and Degas—both in the official Salon and in the independent exhibitions organized by the Impressionists themselves to free themselves from the constraints of the established art world.
These women were by no means seen as mere companions in artistic circles—they were respected and recognized as equals by their male peers. Berthe Morisot, for instance, was not only a close friend of Édouard Manet but also his sister-in-law. She was a central figure in the Parisian art scene, and her salon served as a hub for Impressionist artists. Paul Durand-Ruel, who supported Monet and Degas, also exhibited her works. Marie Bracquemond—whose legacy is now being rediscovered—was married to artist Félix Bracquemond, while Eva Gonzalès held a unique position as the only student of Manet. These close personal and artistic ties make one thing clear: the women of Impressionism weren’t just part of the movement—they were at its very heart.
Characteristics of Impressionism
The origins of Impressionism are rooted in the belief that the mood of a moment and the artist’s subjective perception couldn’t be captured through the means of naturalistic painting. This new style left no room for meticulous detail or the classical central perspective. Bright colors, short and clearly visible brushstrokes, and soft, blended contours defined the Impressionist visual language. Viewers had to learn to observe these works from a certain distance to fully appreciate their effect.
The Rise of Plein-Air Painting
This new way of depicting reality became possible as artists left their studios and painted outdoors. By setting up their easels under open skies, they could capture the ambiance of a scene directly and translate it onto canvas with spontaneity. Plein-air painting thus became a cornerstone not only of Impressionism but also of later movements like Expressionism and Surrealism.
Subjects of Impressionism
When Impressionist painters ventured outside to capture the poetic essence of the moment, they often focused on seemingly mundane scenes: a garden in summer, a stroll by the sea, or a Paris street at dawn. Such motifs are typical of Impressionism—colorful landscapes, urban scenes, still lifes, and intimate portraits dominated their work.
Impressionism in Germany and Europe
While late Impressionism was already taking root in France, the movement reached Germany with some delay. After World War I, German-French relations were strained, and nationalistic sentiments often prevented artists from exhibiting in each other's countries. Only a few artists from more liberal regions of Germany embraced the new impulses. As a result, German Impressionism developed more from the refined techniques of Naturalism. The works often appear less luminous, shaped by different lighting conditions and climate. There was also a stronger focus on interior scenes and Dutch coastal landscapes. Stylistically, Biedermeier elements became more widespread.
The End of Impressionism
Toward the end of the 19th century, Impressionism began to evolve and gradually lost its standing as an avant-garde movement. Many of its leading figures developed their own styles or turned to new forms of expression. Paul Cézanne, for instance, laid the groundwork for Cubism with his geometric compositions, while artists like Vincent van Gogh and Paul Gauguin paved the way toward Expressionism and Symbolism with their expressive use of color and symbolic content. The art world itself was also changing: new movements like Fauvism, Art Nouveau, and Surrealism took over as the leading styles of the time. Nevertheless, Impressionism’s influence endured—its liberation from academic rules, new approach to light and color, and focus on the subjective and ephemeral left a lasting mark on modern art.
Impressionism Today
More than a century after its inception, Impressionism continues to captivate audiences. Works by Monet, Renoir, and Degas are among the most popular and widely exhibited in major museums around the world. Impressionism still inspires contemporary art—its color aesthetics, choice of subject matter, and composition remain influential. At Betterposter, Impressionist artworks are also highly popular as art prints. And no wonder—the vibrant colors, atmospheric landscapes, and gentle lighting moods bring a touch of art history into everyday life and add a unique charm to any space. So feel free to browse our poster shop and discover the perfect piece to stylishly elevate your home!
