Impressionism

In France in the mid 1800’s is when Impressionism began. Impressionism was a term used for the art movement that went against academic standards. The artist wanted to set up a group that goes against the academy.  They even stopped submitting their works to the salon for a while. Alla prima means at once. Artist of Impressionism started taking away the under painting, going against the academy rules of having the under painting layer. Monet is a main artist of the Impressionism. He was influenced by photography and that is why he creates art of that split second in time. And the photography influences go on to Impressionism.

A main characteristic of Impressionism is the use of the loose brushstrokes, the use of lighter colors, and the paintings were done outdoors not in a studio.  A good example of Monet’s work is the painting called “On the Bank of Seine, Bennecourt.

In this painting you can see that it is a relaxing day. You first notice a young woman sitting on the side of the riverbank staring out across the water. You get the sense of relaxation due to the colors that are used. Monet uses a variety of warm tones of colors. He would be blending different colors to show the effects of light. I think it really shows the urbanized Paris because Monet stays true to going outdoors and finding that different light. Monet was fascinated by capturing the different types of lighting so he would even paint the same scene at a different time of day just to show the different types of light.  You can also see the use of the loose brushstrokes, which is against that academic standard. With the loose brushstrokes Monet has created a depth and with Impressionism it’s not so much of the illusion that there is depth. Those thick spots of paint and the use of different colors create the depth in this painting. You see the paint that comes off the painting, true to the medium. And doesn’t use that illusionist quality set by the academy. Also using thin brushstrokes gives Monet a quick way to paint this moment in time. Impressionism was all about capturing a split second in time. A helpful tool that came about in this time was the painting tube, this allowed artist to take their art out of the studio and create more outdoor paintings.

In fact this is just a snap shot of what Monet had seen on the bank.  Monet picked a strong composition with this painting. He painted the trees on the left that seem to somewhat frame the young woman with its branches. Also the woman in the painting is not dead center, Monet is using that rule of thirds, and placed her off center to the left. Having her off center like that makes the viewer not all the way focused on her but it allows their eyes to move more through the painting.

            This painting also shows you more formal elements as Monet using the brushstrokes to create lines that guide the eye through the painting. He also created a sense of line because of the young woman looking out over the water and your eye just follows her gaze. I like that he created the houses on the reflection of the water. I think doing this adds more depth and also creates more lines that move your eye throughout the painting. As you first look at the woman looking out your eye goes up to the trees and out to its branches and then to the city. Monet using is using lines to move the viewer’s eye through the painting. He wants viewer’s to see the urbanized Paris of what it was in that moment in time. I think that viewers see this painting as relaxing because you can’t see a face to the woman sitting by the bank; therefore you can see yourself in her position. Her also face not being shown is also gives you a sense of mystery because the viewer tries to figure out what she is doing there.

Impressionism takes realism to the extreme. Impressionism goes against the academic standards by having those loose but thick brushstrokes, and having scenery from the outdoors. Monet’s work is a prime example of going against the academic standards. His work is full of loose brushstrokes, thick areas of paint, and Alla Prima. He paints what he sees and he is good at capturing a split second in time.