Impressionism and post impressionism


Impressionism came on the scene in the year 1874. Impressionism was the idea that opposed academic doctrines in romantic ideas that turn to the portrayal of contemporary life. Basically shows everyday life depicted by the eye in a romantic way with the use of perception of light. Most of the artists during this era took their canvases outdoors to portray what the eye sees and not what the mind knows. A lot of impressionist work come in a series of paintings that involves direct observation in the studies of physics in light and color. The use of repetition of light across times of the day, season and weather show how we see light as reflections received by the eye and reassembled by the mind. The industrial revolution helped create this new style as it led to an urban middle class with leisure time and a high interest in fashion that artists depicted when creating their work. Images of social and private lives were displayed thru this new form of art as well as the emphasis of the bond of a mother and her children.

Post impressionism came about in the late 19th century. This era emphasized and believed in free interpretation of nature, not to see things but see thru them to a significance in a reality deeper then what superficial appearance gave. The artists of this era were considered beings of extraordinary insight, mysterious and fantastic they were described as. They created a new design that stemmed from japanese prints which emphasized bold simplified shapes and flat color areas. they showed emotion thru the use of color that immediately showed the mood of the scene. Post impressionist used paint and did it quickly with lots of rhythm to communicate thru symbols. The use of color and avoided distraction of implied space create this new beautiful form of art work.

Art reached its high point during the 1400s to the late 1700s. During this time two unique styles of art was invented that took it to the next level. The Renaissance era and The Baroque era. During the Renaissance era humanism came about which was a emphasis on education and a interest in science with the belief in human potential. This on top of the belief in Christianity created a new realism in art that merged the human and the divine. This era is also known as the rebirth era. Some of the artists during this were Leonardo Da Vinci , Raphael, and Michael Angelo. Their implied depth and linear perspective in the paintings created a new wave of art. The Baroque era took this realism and use of light from the renaissance era to the next level as their work is much more dramatic and emotional. Their work consists of a higher contrast of light to dark known as chiaroscuro. That gave you a feeling of reality. Their work also consists of asymmetrical balance unlike the Renaisannce era. One of the artist from this time is Carvaggio who is known as the greatest artist of all time for his realistic work.

The piece above is from the Renaissance era in the 1400s, the picture itself is depicting the Birth of The Virgin. This is clearly Renaissance work. The use of light, perception and linear perspective which provide balance and a 3 dimensional realistic look to the painting. Linear perspective is the ratio of length to width and a implied depth of space that gives you that 3 dimensional feel. Mostly all the work from this era uses these techniques. The colors also have symbolic meaning in the paintings like the one above with the use of the blue clothing. The color blue is very spiritual and symbolize purity and represented a marriageable woman.

The piece above is from The Baroque Era done around the year 1610 by Abraham Janssen van Nuyssen. The picture above shows two angels with the dead christ inside the tomb. They took the use of light to the next level by the way it was combined with dark shading to give you an unbelievable contrast and realism. This gives you a sense of reality as you can feel their emotions. Also their art work is not done with linear perspective as you can see above, there is no 3d feel to the background or vanishing point as opposed to linear perspective. It is more a symetrical because no parts are alike in shape or size on either side.