Art Movements: Impressionism
Grade 5 · Art · Study Guide
Discover how the Impressionists changed the art world by capturing light, color, and everyday life.
Impressionism was a revolutionary art movement that began in France in the 1860s and 1870s. Before Impressionism, most artists painted in studios and spent weeks or months on a single artwork, creating smooth, perfect-looking paintings. The Impressionists broke the rules — they went outside to paint real scenes in natural light and worked quickly to capture the moment.
The name 'Impressionism' actually came from a critic who was making fun of a painting by Claude Monet called 'Impression, Sunrise.' He used the word to mock the loose, sketchy style. But the artists embraced the name, and it stuck. Today, Impressionism is one of the most beloved art styles in history.
Impressionists used short, visible brushstrokes instead of smooth blending. They were fascinated by how light changes throughout the day and painted the same scene at different times to show this. They used bright, pure colors placed side by side rather than mixing them fully, allowing the eye to do the blending. Shadows were painted in colors like blue and purple instead of just gray or black.
Famous Impressionist artists include Claude Monet, Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Edgar Degas, and Berthe Morisot. Their subjects included gardens, water, dancers, cafes, and everyday street scenes. The Impressionists opened the door for modern art, proving that artists could paint feelings and moments, not just perfect copies of the world.
Key terms
- Impressionism
- A 19th-century art movement focused on capturing light, color, and everyday moments using loose brushstrokes.
- Brushstroke
- A visible mark made by a brush; Impressionists used short, distinct strokes rather than smooth blending.
- Plein Air
- A French term meaning 'open air'; the practice of painting outdoors in natural light.
- Claude Monet
- A leading Impressionist artist famous for his series paintings, including water lilies and haystacks.
- Color Theory
- The study of how colors interact; Impressionists placed pure colors side by side for the eye to mix.
- Art Movement
- A group of artists sharing a similar style, philosophy, or goal during a specific period.
Flashcards
- Impressionism
- An art movement from 1860s France focused on light, color, and capturing moments.
- Claude Monet
- Leading Impressionist known for water lilies and painting the same scene in different light.
- Plein Air
- Painting outdoors in natural light; key practice for Impressionists.
- Brushstroke
- Visible marks from a brush; Impressionists left them short and distinct.
- Edgar Degas
- Impressionist artist famous for painting ballet dancers.
- Pierre-Auguste Renoir
- Impressionist known for colorful scenes of people enjoying leisure activities.
- Berthe Morisot
- One of the leading female Impressionist painters, known for domestic scenes.
- Color Theory
- How colors interact; Impressionists placed pure colors side by side for the eye to blend.
- Art Movement
- A shared style or philosophy among a group of artists at the same time.
- Impression, Sunrise
- The Monet painting whose title inspired the name 'Impressionism.'
- Natural Light
- Light from the sun; Impressionists studied how it changed color and mood throughout the day.
- Modern Art
- Art made after the mid-1800s; Impressionism was one of the first modern art movements.
Questions
Where did the Impressionist art movement begin?
- Italy
- England
- France
- Spain
Show answer
Answer: France
Impressionism began in France in the 1860s and 1870s with artists like Monet and Renoir.
Impressionist artists always painted in studios with perfect lighting.
Show answer
Answer: False
A key feature of Impressionism was painting outdoors (plein air) in natural light.
The French term for painting outdoors in natural light is called ________ air.
Show answer
Answer: plein
Plein air is the French phrase meaning 'open air,' describing outdoor painting.
Which artist painted 'Impression, Sunrise,' the painting that gave Impressionism its name?
- Edgar Degas
- Pierre-Auguste Renoir
- Berthe Morisot
- Claude Monet
Show answer
Answer: Claude Monet
Claude Monet painted 'Impression, Sunrise' in 1872, and a critic used it to coin the term Impressionism.
Impressionists used short, visible brushstrokes rather than smooth, perfectly blended paint.
Show answer
Answer: True
Impressionists used short, visible, energetic brushstrokes rather than the smooth blending of traditional painting.
Get a personalized course on Art Movements: Impressionism built around your child.