Impressionism (Eyewitness Guides)

Between the 1860s and 1880s, a group of revolutionary young artists based in Paris developed a new way of depicting the world around them. The paintings they produced have since become world famous, and include some of the best-loved works in Western art. Condemned by the art critics of the day, artists such as Monet, Renoir and Degas broke with tradition by painting scenes from life, set in and around Paris. Often leaving the studio to paint in the open air, they painted with daringly sketchy brushstrokes, and abandoned the principles of classical composition in favour of focal points inspired by photography and Japanese art. Above all, they captured with breathtaking skill the brilliant colours of nature and the ever-changing effects of light. Featuring colour reprodutions of great Impressionist paintings and including in-depth studies of important works, this guide takes a fresh look at this popular and highly influential art movement.