Art History II – Renaissance to Modern Era Unit 5 Review: Realism & Impressionism in Art

Historical Context

• Realism emerged in the mid-19th century as a reaction against Romanticism and Neoclassicism
• Influenced by the political and social upheavals of the time, including the Industrial Revolution and the Revolutions of 1848
• Sought to depict the world as it was, without idealization or embellishment
• Coincided with the rise of the middle class and the increasing importance of the working class
• Reflected the growing interest in science and the natural world, as well as the development of photography
• Influenced by the writings of French philosopher Auguste Comte and his concept of positivism, which emphasized the importance of observable facts and empirical evidence
• Realism was not a unified movement, but rather a diverse group of artists who shared a commitment to representing the world as they saw it

Key Characteristics of Realism

• Emphasis on depicting the everyday lives of ordinary people, particularly the working class and the poor
• Rejection of idealization and sentimentality in favor of a more objective, unvarnished portrayal of reality
• Use of a naturalistic style, with attention to detail and accuracy in the representation of people, objects, and settings
• Focus on contemporary subjects and themes, rather than historical or mythological ones
• Incorporation of social and political commentary, often highlighting the struggles and injustices faced by the lower classes
• Use of a muted, earthy color palette and a lack of dramatic lighting or compositional effects
• Emphasis on the individual and the particular, rather than the universal or the ideal

Major Realist Artists and Works

• Gustave Courbet (The Stone Breakers, A Burial at Ornans)
  • Considered the leader of the Realist movement in France
  • Known for his large-scale, unidealized depictions of rural life and working-class people
• Jean-François Millet (The Gleaners, The Angelus)
  • Focused on the lives of peasants and agricultural workers
  • Used a simplified, monumental style to imbue his subjects with a sense of dignity and nobility
• Honoré Daumier (The Third-Class Carriage, Rue Transnonain)
  • Known for his satirical lithographs and paintings critiquing contemporary society and politics
  • Depicted the urban poor and the working class with a sense of empathy and humanity
• Thomas Eakins (The Gross Clinic, Max Schmitt in a Single Scull)
  • American Realist painter known for his uncompromising, scientifically accurate depictions of the human body
  • Focused on contemporary American subjects, including sports, medicine, and the arts

Transition to Impressionism

• Impressionism developed in the late 1860s and early 1870s, building on the foundations laid by Realism
• Shared Realism's interest in contemporary subjects and themes, but focused more on the changing effects of light, color, and atmosphere
• Influenced by advances in color theory and the science of optics, as well as the increasing availability of portable painting supplies
• Rejected the traditional hierarchy of genres and the emphasis on historical and mythological subjects in favor of landscapes, still lifes, and scenes of modern life
• Emphasized the importance of capturing the fleeting, momentary aspects of visual experience, rather than creating a carefully composed, idealized image
• Marked a shift away from the detailed, highly finished style of Realism towards a looser, more spontaneous approach to painting

Techniques and Innovations in Impressionism

• Use of short, broken brushstrokes to capture the changing effects of light and color
• Emphasis on pure, unmixed colors, often applied directly from the tube or palette
• Use of complementary colors to create a sense of vibrancy and luminosity
• Incorporation of visible brushstrokes and a rougher, more textured surface, emphasizing the materiality of the paint itself
• Painting en plein air, or outdoors, to directly observe and capture the effects of natural light and atmosphere
• Use of unconventional compositions, often with asymmetrical or cropped elements, to create a sense of immediacy and spontaneity
• Rejection of the traditional use of chiaroscuro and modeling in favor of a flatter, more two-dimensional approach to form and space

Notable Impressionist Painters and Paintings

• Claude Monet (Impression, Sunrise, Haystacks series, Water Lilies series)
  • Considered the leader of the Impressionist movement
  • Known for his series paintings exploring the changing effects of light and color on a single subject over time
• Pierre-Auguste Renoir (Luncheon of the Boating Party, Dance at the Moulin de la Galette)
  • Known for his luminous, sensuous depictions of leisure and social gatherings
  • Used a soft, feathery brushstroke and a warm, vibrant color palette
• Edgar Degas (The Dance Class, The Absinthe Drinker)
  • Focused on the world of ballet, horse racing, and Parisian nightlife
  • Known for his unconventional compositions and his use of unusual viewpoints and cropping
• Camille Pissarro (Boulevard Montmartre series, The Harvest at Montfoucault)
  • Considered the "father of Impressionism" for his role in organizing and promoting the group's exhibitions
  • Known for his landscapes and rural scenes, often depicting the changing seasons and the effects of weather and atmosphere

Impact on Later Art Movements

• Impressionism paved the way for the development of modern art in the late 19th and early 20th centuries
• Influenced the rise of Post-Impressionism, which built on the innovations of Impressionism while also reacting against its limitations
  • Artists like Paul Cézanne, Vincent van Gogh, and Paul Gauguin sought to create a more structured, expressive art that went beyond the purely visual aspects of Impressionism
• Contributed to the development of Neo-Impressionism, which used scientific color theory and pointillist techniques to create a more systematic, controlled approach to capturing light and color
• Inspired the development of Fauvism, which emphasized the expressive potential of color and the autonomy of the painted surface
• Laid the groundwork for the rise of abstraction in the early 20th century, as artists like Wassily Kandinsky and Piet Mondrian sought to create a purely non-representational art based on the interplay of color, line, and form

Critical Reception and Legacy

• Initially met with criticism and ridicule from the art establishment, which saw Impressionism as a rejection of traditional artistic values and techniques
• Gradually gained acceptance and popularity among collectors, dealers, and the general public, particularly in the United States
• Helped to establish the idea of the avant-garde and the notion of artistic progress and innovation
• Contributed to the democratization of art and the erosion of the traditional hierarchy of genres and subjects
• Influenced the development of modern art and continues to be celebrated for its technical innovations, its capturing of the ephemeral and transient aspects of visual experience, and its embodiment of the spirit of modernity
• Remains one of the most popular and influential movements in the history of Western art, with works by Impressionist artists continuing to be highly sought after by museums and collectors around the world