The Impressionist style of painting was a new look at visual art in the late 19th Century. A group of painters began to focus on the sensationalism of a scene. The result was one of the most unique art movements in history [1].
Manet influenced the development of impressionism. He painted everyday objects. Pissaro and Sisley painted the French countryside and river scenes. Degas enjoyed painting ballet dancers and horse races. Morisot painted women doing everyday things. Renoir loved to show the effect of sunlight on flowers and figures. Monet was interested in subtle changes in the atmosphere [2].
Impressionist works are sometimes described as ‘captured moments’ and are characterized by short quick brushstrokes of color which, when viewed up close looks quite messy and unreal. If you step back from and Impressionist painting, however, the colors are blended together by our eyes and we are able to see the painter’s subject [3]. Impressionist technique challenged the smooth finish demanded by the Academie des Beaux-Arts. However, the sketchiness or patchiness found in many Impressionist paintings is not the result of carelessness or incompetence, as was implied by critics. It was as intentional device used by these painters to convey something of the experience of the rapid movement or variety in a scene [4].
“The Morning on the Seine near Giverny” painted by Claude Monet in 1897. The painting was begun in 1896 but not completed until 1897 because of inclement weather. For nearly 2 years, Claude Monet left his Giverny house well before dawn to travel a few miles to the Seine River where he could paint from his floating studio. He routinely left his house at 3:30 AM to make sure that he was at the river to capture the early morning light through the fog that often covered the Seine. He painted quickly to capture the atmospheric effects before the fog evaporated. By late morning, he normally returned home as the effect had disappeared at the point [5].
This painting is one of art that I like among Impressionist paints. Its colors of pinkish mauve, cool blues, and greens are matched with large, simple, rounded shapes and the technique that he used for the fog is amazing. I do not hate Impressionist arts, however I personally like paintings from Baroque Era much better than the Impressionist arts. One of my favorite painting is “The Loves of the Gods” painted by the Bolognese artist Annibale Carracci in the Farnese Gallery. It is more naturalistic, being straightforward, clear, legible.
References
[1] http://www.ehow.com/how_2052429_paint-impressionism-style.html
[2] http://www.cs.ucf.edu/~MidLink/Impress.html
[3] http://www.theartgallery.com.au/kidsart/learn/impressionism/
[4]http://www.artandarchitecture.org.uk/insight/virag_imptechniques/virag_imptechniques01.html
kimnanook 
I agree with your analysis that one does have to step back and look at the whole piece of artwork. If you are too close in you can’t get the whole picture. I also like the painting you chose, very colorful and a very happy moment in time. Good work!!
I really like The Morning on the Seine near Giverny by Monet. I like the colors, and I agree that his technique for the fog is amazing. The Carracci work was nice, but I preferred Monet’s work.
You did a good job analyzing The Moning on the Seine near Giverny by Monet, as well as explaining your reaction to Impressionism. You provided good factual information (I really enjoyed learning about Monet’s routine when making this work), and you used good sources to support your claims.
I feel like you fell a little short on comparing an Impressionist work to a work from another era. You mention The Loves of the Gods at the end of your post, but I felt that you didn’t compare and contrast them enough for my taste. I was also slightly confused because there was no picture, but then I scrolled through your older posts, and saw that you had analyzed the work a few posts back. I think it would have been beneficial to do a longer analysis, and have more discussion of The Loves of Gods on this post (or at least mentioned somewhere that you had analyzed the work a few posts back).
Out of curiosity, do you have a favorite artist from the Baroque era? If so, who?
I feel there was almost no connection or comparison to work of another era. I did feel you went over the style used most by impressionism painters very well. The style is very particular, and requires a certain taste. Personally, I enjoy the amazing feat of how it makes our eyes work. The fact it can look so horrendous up close, but be a great work of art from a distance is amazing. The summary of Claude Monet’s dedication to his art was really impressive. I never knew he would leave and dedicate his mornings to a single painting. Your research on Monet shows me that you really delved into the impressionism aspect of the assignment.
The Monet piece you included is so spooky! One thing I was wondering while reading about Impressionism is how many times painters would return to a scene until their painting was complete. Did any sources you used mention a number? I suppose it would be different for each painter but I am still curious. Though your explanation mentions he left his house early for 2 years, I wonder if they ever gave themselves weekends!
From what I understood from this assignment, we were supposed to include a comparison with another style of art, that’s the only thing I saw that lacked from your post. I enjoyed your example and analysis and would have loved to see the comparison included.
Awesome blog! you met all of the graded requirements as well as add your own additional flare. Your information was quite factional. However do you know how to hyperlink? The way you explain impressionism so well made me think that you were a fan. You were so detailed and so inform about the topic. Like you the Baroque era is my favorite simply because i think that artist from the Baroque era tell a story with their art.Your presented a great piece of art and you explained it well. But I’m truly not a fan of impressionism so to me the picture lacks character. That’s my personal opinion. Great Blog!!