Impressionism was a French art movement that emerged in the 1860s and flourished through the 1880s, defined by its devotion to capturing light, colour and the fleeting moments of everyday modern life. Rather than the polished detail and grand historical subjects favoured by the academies, the Impressionists painted what they saw in front of them: a riverbank on a Sunday, dancers backstage, sunlight breaking across water. They worked quickly, often outdoors, and left their brushwork loose and visible. The movement took its name from Claude Monet's 1872 painting Impression, Sunrise, a title a sceptical critic borrowed to mock the whole group. The name stuck, and the rest is one of the best loved chapters in the history of art.
This short guide explains where Impressionism came from, who its leading artists were, and which famous works you can bring into your own home as a print.
What defines Impressionist painting?
A handful of shared choices separate Impressionism from the academic painting that came before it. If a picture shows several of the traits below, it is very likely Impressionist or closely influenced by the movement.
- Light above all. The Impressionists treated light as the real subject of a painting, studying how it changed across a day and a season.
- Pure, unblended colour. Short dabs of bright colour placed side by side were left for the eye to mix, giving the surface a shimmering quality.
- Loose, visible brushwork. Brushstrokes were left on show rather than smoothed away, which gave the work a sense of speed and movement.
- Painting outdoors. Portable paint in tubes let artists work en plein air, in front of the scene, instead of finishing everything in the studio.
- Everyday modern life. Cafes, boating parties, gardens, railway stations and ordinary people replaced kings, saints and battles.
When did the Impressionism movement happen?
The roots reach into the 1860s, when a circle of young painters in Paris began rejecting the rules of the official Salon. Their first independent group exhibition opened in 1874, and it was here that Monet's Impression, Sunrise was shown. Seven more group exhibitions followed, the last in 1886. By then the artists were moving in their own directions, and the door had opened to Post-Impressionists such as Van Gogh, Cezanne and Seurat. The movement's most concentrated years run from roughly the early 1870s to the mid 1880s.
Who were the key Impressionist artists?
Impressionism was a group movement, and its character came from a remarkable set of individuals working alongside one another.
Claude Monet
Often called the father of the movement, Monet pursued light more single-mindedly than anyone. He returned to the same subjects again and again, from haystacks to Rouen Cathedral to the water lilies of his garden at Giverny, painting them under shifting conditions. You can explore his work in our collection of Claude Monet prints.
Pierre-Auguste Renoir
Renoir brought warmth and humanity to the movement, delighting in people, gardens and sunlit gatherings. His Luncheon of the Boating Party and Bal du moulin de la Galette are among the most joyful images in Western painting. Browse our Pierre-Auguste Renoir prints to see more.
Camille Pissarro
The eldest of the group and a steady mentor, Pissarro painted rural lanes, markets and the streets of Paris with quiet dignity. He was the only artist to show in all eight Impressionist exhibitions.
Edgar Degas
Degas preferred the indoor world of the ballet, the theatre and the racecourse, capturing dancers and performers in unexpected, off-centre compositions that feel caught in the moment.
Berthe Morisot and Mary Cassatt
Two of the movement's finest painters were women. Morisot, a central figure from the very first exhibition, painted domestic life and gardens with a light, feathery touch. Cassatt, an American working in Paris, became known for her tender studies of mothers and children.
Which famous Impressionist works can you buy as prints?
Our Impressionism art prints bring together faithful prints of celebrated public-domain works by the great masters, ready to hang. The collection includes much loved pieces such as Monet's water lily and garden studies, Renoir's sunlit gatherings, and serene river and harbour scenes. Each is printed on 225gsm matt photo paper in sizes from A4 to A1, available print-only or framed, starting from £19.
Frequently asked questions about Impressionism
Why is it called Impressionism?
The name came from Claude Monet's 1872 painting Impression, Sunrise. A critic reviewing the 1874 exhibition used the word "impressionists" dismissively, suggesting the works looked unfinished. The artists adopted the label with pride.
What is the difference between Impressionism and Post-Impressionism?
Impressionism focused on capturing light and the immediate visual impression of a scene. Post-Impressionism, which followed in the late 1880s and 1890s, kept the bright colour but pushed towards stronger structure, symbolism and personal expression in the hands of artists like Van Gogh and Cezanne.
Was Impressionism only a French movement?
It began in France and its leading figures were based in and around Paris, but its influence spread quickly across Europe and to America, shaping painters in Britain, the United States and beyond for decades.
Bringing Impressionism into your home
The appeal of Impressionism is the same today as it was in 1874: it captures ordinary, beautiful moments with a freshness that never tires. A Monet garden in the hallway or a Renoir riverside scene above the mantelpiece brings light and calm into a room. Explore the full Impressionism art prints collection to find the work that speaks to you, with prints from £19 and framed options ready to hang the day they arrive.
