Claude Monet: The Founder of Impressionism

Like many things throughout history, art has progressed and changed.  Art is a broad term, and today I am writing only on physical art such as painting and drawing.  I believe all the 'greats' earned that title because they started something new and different and maybe even outrageous at that time.  They each had a type of art that they focused on that set them apart from other artists at their time. 

The first artist I will be writing about is Claude Monet.  I mentioned Monet in one of my short stories and included a picture of one of his pieces titled "Dusk in Venice."  Claude Monet was a French painter who lived from 1840 to 1926.  He was one of the founders of the impressionistic movement.  

Impressionism falls under the broader term of modern art.  Modern art is not a style of art. Rather, Modern Art is a movement of art created in a certain period.  All art created roughly between the 1860s and 1940s is considered modern art. If you type into google "all types of modern art" you will get nine styles.

• Impressionism
• Expressionism - Fauvism
• Art Nouveau
• Art Deco
• Cubism
• Surrealism
• Abstract Art
• Pop Art
• Op Art

I am not planning on talking about each of these terms, but I thought introducing the broader term and them the more condensed styles would be a good way to start.  Impressionism is a rather well-known style, and Monet the most well-known founder.  If you don't recognize the name you will most likely recognize the look of the art.   

 

"Poppies"

"Dust at Venice" 

"Woman With a Parasol"

"Impression Sunrise" 

"The Water Lilly Pond/Japanese Pond" 

Some of my first impressions of Impressionism is each piece has a similar amount of imperfection.  But it's not unrealistic.  It looks like a dream feels and has the perfect amount of unknown so that the viewer is able to fill in the gaps and almost make the piece personal to them.   

Impressionism actually derives its name from Claude Monets painting impression sunrise.  Impressionism changed the art world by rejecting old art rules.  Impressionistic artists presented a new way to present and observe the world.  Impressionism came along not only as a new style of art but a new way to create art.  The impressionistic movement also came with impressionistic paints that were pre-mixed and allowed painters to bring their work outside. 

Impressionism was also born out of the fact that the invention of pre-mixed paints allowed artists to take work outside. 

I love the idea of what impressionism movement brought to the world.  Nowadays anyone and everyone is an artist.  Art supplies (even if it's not high quality) is around every corner and anyone who wishes can pick it up.  Back then only artists who had sufficient funds could purchase art supplies.  Impressionism was one very small steep to bringing art supplies to the general public by making it easier and more accessible for artists.  Looking back, it brings hope for the art world so that anyone could pick up paints and contribute to the art world.

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