What an Impression
October 24, 2009
lchris32
Claude Monet, Impression Sunrise, 1872, France
Rosa Bonheur, Plowing in the Nivernais: The Dressing of the Vines, 1849, France
After learning about the Impressionism era, I quickly found out that I didn’t like the artwork at all. I really enjoy the meaning and excitement behind the brush strokes the artists used when creating their pieces, but the final products don’t seem to excite me nearly as much. The idea behind Impressionism focused on the way the painters worked. The movement of the brush across the canvas was that of happiness. Painting out in the open air and starting on light canvas, forced the artist to layer the colors to achieve the desired darkness. It was completely opposite of the way previous artists had achieved their final pieces. For example, when comparing Claude Monet’s painting with Rosa Bonheur’s painting, there is a noticable difference in styles.
Because of the loose, happy brush strokes the Impressionists worked with, the outcome was a very loose image. This is visible in Impression, Sunrise where there is no real definition to the objects in the painting. The background seems to be filled with trees and brush, but it appears to be misty or foggy because of the loose gestures. Same is seen in the image of the boat in the middle of the painting. On the other hand, Plowing in the Nivernais has a very defined layout of the objects in the painting. This Realist painting is so specific with the defined brush strokes that it almost looks like a photograph rather than a painting.
It is the ellusive images of the Impressionist paintings that make me unable to relate to the artists. I enjoy definition and specificity, and that is exactly what Impressionism lacks. However, Realism (which happens to be one of my favorite genres of art) has all the definition and specificity that I like in artwork. Indeed, it is supposed to replicate reality.
Sources: Benton, Janetta Rebold and Robert DiYanni. Arts and Culture: An Introduction to the Humanities. Third Edition. Volume 2. 2008.
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1.
Billy Connor |
October 28, 2009 at 7:10 am
I really like your comment about enjoying the process that Impressionist artists went through. I also did not enjoy the Impressionist unit either. I much rather prefer detail oriented art. I think it is awesome that Impressionist artists sought to emanate the environment they painted in. That is one concept that I believe that got right.
I feel that more detail equals better focus and precision in one’s ideas. But now that I think about it, in order to create the scenes and colors that impressionists did with their works, they really had to focus on their placement of brushstrokes. Do you think that is true??
2.
Sandeep Tiwari |
April 6, 2011 at 12:06 pm
Realism vs Impressionism … ironically both are my favorite genre
If you like this work by Rosa Bonheur you must checkout and comment on the works of Ivan Shishkin, a part of the Peredvedniki bunch – the Russian realist movement.
On the point of impressionist style, there are some feelings, emotions, nuances that can only be conveyed through impressionist suggestions rather than realist portrayals. A study of portraits in impressionist style, an oxymoron of sorts, will perhaps illustrate the point I am trying to make.