Colorado & Regional Art

Impressionism

Impressionism started in Paris, France in the 1870s and is characterized by a sketch-like, atmospheric quality of painting. Impressionists such as Claude Monet were interested in capturing the impression of a single fleeting moment with emphasis on the quality of light, releasing the need for the careful details expected in the academic, realist paintings of their time. Brushstrokes are often clearly visible and expressive. Many impressionist works were created out-of-doors with pure, unblended colors using the newly-invented tubed paint. Colorado artists adapted this style to their work as modernism was introduced to Colorado.