Impressionism

Wind, light, laughter, summer breezes, quiet afternoons, sun-baked grass on a rolling hillside, perfumed flowers singing their praises to the heavens, bold shapes and colors stretching out to the edges of the canvas, challenging the viewer to feel rather than think. Impressionism is indeed a broad canvas on which brilliant brains flung their creative paints, redefining what it meant to be an artist and paving the way for a multitude of still more abstract art forms to come.

In Claude Monet’s unassuming, loose little impression of a sunrise over the French Le Havre  harbour, one notices the seeds of Impressionism take root:

Monet; Impression, Sunrise; France; 1872

I love Impressionism in all its gaiety and charm. Whether the subject matter is a group of vibrantly-rendered people enjoying the pleasures of an afternoon together:

Pierre-Auguste Renoir; Bal du moulin de la Galette; Paris, France; 1876

Or a peaceful morning shared by mother and daughter:

Mary Cassatt; Breakfast in Bed; 1897

A sunny day by the seaside:

Eugene Boudin; Rivage de Portrieux, Cotes-du-Nord; France; 1874

Or a serene spot by a pond:

Claude Monet; Water-Lily Pond; France; 1897

Impression in each of its many incarnations captivate and delight me.  The use of short, thick, textured brushstrokes adds a sense of immediacy and grace, mimicking the way light can catch the eye and blur the outlines of what we catch a fleeting glimpse of. The soft use of color drapes and swirls luxuriously over the canvas:

Pierre-Auguste Renoir; Girls at the Piano; France; 1892

Impressionism has something for everyone, but the common thread that ties all Impressionist works are presented on a subconscious level.  While earlier works depicting domestic scenes are similarly moving and undeniably beautiful [see the Baroque era’s Woman Pouring Milk by Vermeer, or Mannerist artist Sofonisba Anguissona’s The Chess Game] Impressionistic works are unmatched in their softness and gentle treatment of the subject matter. Each piece draws the viewer into the mind of the artist; immersing them in the moment the artist captured in acrylics or oils. To me, Impressionism is more than just what is displayed on the canvas. It is also the warm feeling that infuses one’s body as they observe and appreciate the care and love pouring from the canvas directly into the viewer’s heart.