Art historyLesson 1 of 3 in the course Impressionism and modern art

Impressionism: Origins, Techniques, Subjects, and Legacy

5 flashcards · 5 quiz questions · 5 match pairs · 5 fill-in sentences · English

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Summary

This lesson introduces Impressionism as a movement that challenged French academic art and explains how a group of independent artists gained recognition.

In 19th-century France, the Académie des Beaux-Arts promoted established standards. It favored historical, religious, and mythological subjects, carefully finished surfaces, precise drawing, and colors often subdued by varnish. Its annual juried exhibition, the Salon de Paris, could bring artists prizes, commissions, and prestige.

All flashcards

What did the Académie des Beaux-Arts favor?
Historical, religious, and mythological subjects; precise drawing; carefully finished surfaces; and often subdued color.
What does impasto mean in painting?
Applying paint in a thick layer, leaving a pronounced surface texture.
How did portable tin paint tubes support Impressionist practice?
They made it easier for artists to carry paint and work outdoors spontaneously.
How did Mary Cassatt often depict women?
Reading, sewing, talking, or thinking, with active relationships to their surroundings.
How did Impressionism develop beyond France?
Artists adapted its interest in light, color, and observation to local settings.

Quiz questions

  1. Why did Impressionist painters sometimes place colors beside one another instead of blending them smoothly?Answer: The viewer’s eye could combine them, creating vivid visual effects.
  2. What compositional features of Japanese ukiyo-e prints influenced Impressionist artists?Answer: Bold color blocks, strong diagonals, and unexpected viewpoints
  3. Which artist exhibited with the Impressionist group at seven of its eight exhibitions?Answer: Berthe Morisot
  4. What role did art dealer Paul Durand-Ruel play in Impressionism’s growing recognition?Answer: He promoted the paintings and organized exhibitions in several cities.
  5. Which tendency distinguishes Post-Impressionist approaches from Impressionism’s focus on optical effects?Answer: Greater emphasis on symbolism, emotion, pattern, or pictorial structure

Based on the Wikipedia article Impressionism, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Adapted into a summary, flashcards and quizzes.

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