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Introduction

Impressionism is the movement in painting that was developed in the late 19th century in France. It was the result of the reaction to the formalism and sentimentality that were characterized by academic art. The impressionists prefer to paint outdoors. The most popular ones are landscape and streets scenes, as well as figures from everyday life. They are trying to achieve a spontaneous, undetailed picture of the world through careful representation of the effect of natural light on objects. Since the impressionists believe that light tends to diffuse the outlines of the objects and reflect the colours of surrounding objects into the shadows, they are more concerned with the light than with exact depiction of form. The colours they prefer are the primary colours (red, blue and yellow) and complimentary colours (green, orange and orange). By placing short brushstrokes of these colours side by side, they achieve the effects of naturalness and immediacy. When the primary colours are blend into together with the complimentary colours and viewed from a distance, the contrasting colours will bring out the vivid quality of each. Therefore, the painters will achieve a greater brilliance of colour and tones in their paintings. The most famous impressionists of all times include Claude Monet, Pierre Auguste Renoir, Edgar Degas, Berthe Morisot and Alfred Sisley. ...read more.

Middle

The water garden consisted of a lily pond arched with a Japanese bridge and overhung with willows and clumps of bamboo. Beginning 1906, paintings of the pond and the water lilies kept him busy for his remaining life. He also worked his other "series" paintings, groups of paintings of the same subject - haystacks, poplars, Rouen Cathedral, the river Seine, etc. The great impressionist died on December 5, 1926 in Giverny. This painting is called "The Artists Garden at Vetheuil" painted in 1880. This is a good example of how Monet uses the natural light and colours. The painting is full of primary and complimentary colours, blended together. The background is bright blue and the details are exempted. The grass is painted with short brushstrokes and the flowers stand out against the dark green background. Notice how the leaves and the flowers are blended to make the foreground more filled and rich. The empty and plain pavement in the center attracts the most attention all eyes go the little girl. This painting is called "Antibes" painted in 1888. This is another excellent example of how Monet blended the colours together and usage of natural light. The tree is obvious the main focus of the painting. The leaves are dots of yellow, green and tints of red. ...read more.

Conclusion

This painting is called "In the Meadow" painted in 1890. He used a variety of colours and a new vivacity in his brushwork. He paints thinly over light ground, creating a silken surface with the fine grass being blown by soft summer breeze. Throughout the painting, colours are blended together by small brushstrokes. For example, the leaves of the trees are a variation of greens and browns. The hat of the girl is composed of light purples, yellow and blues. In the background, very light shades of green, blue and yellow are used to make the foreground more apparent and stand out. The last painting is called "The Loge" painted in 1874. This displays Renoir's skills and talents for painting human figures. This picture is a hymn to the beauty of a woman. She is the center of attention. Her pale face is brought out against her dark clothing. Her hair and clothes are painted with tiny little spots and blended together so that no straight lines are seen. The flower on her hair is blurry but stands out once again against the dark brown background. The man behind her does not get full attention for his face and shirts aren't nearly as white as the woman's face. The woman's eyes are staring right at you as if she has something to tell you. This is an excellent painting which reveals Renoir's talents and love for impressionism. ...read more.

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