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.