Impressionism
Impressionism, originating in France during the 19th century, represents a transformative movement in art, often termed the first modern movement in painting. It departs from traditional studio-based painting, instead embracing spontaneity and plein air techniques. Focused on capturing the fleeting effects of sunlight, brushstrokes were rapid and the colors broken, offering the bare impression of a form. Instead of using black and gray paint to depict shadows, complementary colors were paired. The artists would apply new layers of paint over layers that were still wet, which softened the forms and created a unique intermingling of opaque color. Pioneered by artists like Claude Monet, Camille Pissarro, and Edgar Degas, Impressionism rejects academic conventions, emphasizing visible brushwork, unblended colors, and the accurate portrayal of natural light. The movement's name was coined through a satirical review but has since become synonymous with a radical shift in artistic expression.