The Impressionist Masters: Rebellious Pioneers

When one thinks of controversial art, the soft edges and blended colors of Impressionism don't immediately spring to mind. But the Impressionist movement was quite revolutionary in its day, paving the way for the 20th century's embrace of Modernism. The Impressionist Masters: Rebellious Pioneers begins with a historical overview of the state of 19th-century art in Paris: a system of patronage, salons, and control over both subject matter and technique. This backdrop establishes the context for the emergence of the Barbizon school, whose members challenged prevailing notions with their depictions of everyday life, painted quickly from direct observation. By the late 1800s, these “rebellious pioneers” had managed to form their own network in order to bring credence and visibility to their new approach, which forever altered the way art was created, viewed, interpreted, and owned. The work of dozens of major figures of the period—from Manet to Monet—is shown here, with more attention paid to techniques and innovations rather than biographical information about the artists. Offering a solid introduction to a particularly exciting period in the history of painting, this is highly recommended. Aud: J, H, C, P. (E. Gieschen)