American Impressionism

Many American impressionists’ artists also worked and lived in California at Carmel and Laguna Beach; in New York on the eastern Long Island at Shinnecock.

The Revival Of American Impressionism
Author: mad scan
By Impressionism we mean the theory or style of painting that originated and developed in France during the 1870's. Its chief characteristics were the reaction of the artist on the immediate visual impression produced by a scene. The painting was made up of primary colors that were unmixed. Small strokes of the brush were used to give the effect of the reflection of light. The style of art was introduced in America during the major exhibitions of the works of the French impressionists in Boston and New York during the 1880's. Theodore Robinson was one of the first American artists to paint in an impressionistic mode. He was encouraged to follow this style of painting during his meeting with the renowned French artist, Claude Monet during his visit to France in the late 1880's. The display of the increasing number of the French impressionist works in the American exhibitions also influenced other renowned American artists such as Childe Hassam. The American impressionism flourished in art colonies composed of loosely affiliated groups of artists who lived and worked together and shared a common artistic vision, from the 1890's to 1910's. Art colonies were also formed in small towns and villages where the cost of living was low. These small places also had abundant breathtaking natural landscapes and scenery which offered plenty of themes to the artists for painting. The artists also had access to the large cities nearby where they could sell their work easily. Brown County, Indiana, and New Hope, Pennsylvania, on the Delaware River; Cos Cob and Old Lyme, Connecticut, both on Long Island Sound; were some of the chief places where most of the important American impressionist artists worked and lived. Many American impressionists’ artists also worked and lived in California at Carmel and Laguna Beach; in New York on the eastern Long Island at Shinnecock. This was due to the influence of William Merritt Chase. Frank Weston Beston and Edmund Charles Tarbell who lived in Boston were the other important artists who practiced the impressionist style. Till the late 1920's most of these art colonies of America remained the vibrant centers of the impressionist style of art. Though impressionist style of art in America continued till 1920's, it took a beating and lost its status in 1913 itself, when a historical exhibition of modern art took place at the 69th Regiment Armory Building in the New York City. This exhibition which was also known as the 'Armory Show' heralded a new style of painting which was influenced with the increase of modern technology and fast paced lives. Another cause of the new style of painting was the outbreak of the World War 1, the Great Depression and the World War 2. However, in the 1950's, almost a quarter of a century after the death of Monet, many American museums and art houses started to organize exhibitions where the original works of the French Impressionists were exhibited. These exhibitions again revived the interest of American Impressionism. This interest in Impressionism in America continues to grow unabated till this day. Its popularity can be observed in the plein-air or on the location paintings which has given an impetus to the revival of impressionism in America.
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Sanjay Kumar writes content about American Women Artists , American Impressionism and Cape Ann Art .for more information visit at: American Impressionism