Impressionism: The History, Ideas, and Culture of the Impressionist Movement

This audiobook is narrated by a digital voice.

The art movement known as Impressionism unfolded in the 19th century, showcasing distinctive characteristics such as delicate yet visible brushstrokes, open compositions, and an emphasis on portraying light in its dynamic and ever-changing qualities. This movement, which emerged in the 1870s and 1880s, was propelled by a group of Paris-based artists who garnered attention through their independent exhibitions.


In the cultural landscape of France, the Impressionists faced staunch opposition from the established art milieu. Critic Louis Leroy, in a satirical review published in the Parisian daily Le Charivari, coined the term 'Impressionism' in response to Claude Monet's painting titled 'Impression, soleil levant' (Impression, Sunrise). The movement's initial surge in the visual arts paved the way for analogous developments in music and literature, collectively recognized as impressionist expressions.


Pioneering Impressionists challenged the norms of academic painting, aligning themselves with the avant-garde spirit initiated by artists like Eugène Delacroix and J. M. W. Turner. Their canvases were brought to life through freely applied brushstrokes, prioritizing color over rigid lines and forms. Venturing beyond the confines of studio painting, these artists, inspired by the likes of Delacroix and Turner, delved into the portrayal of contemporary life. Still lifes, portraits, and landscapes, typically confined to studio settings, found a new dimension as Impressionists embraced the outdoors, capturing the transient effects of sunlight en plein air.