Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

impressionism

Noun

/ɪmˈprɛʃ.ən.ɪ.zəm/

Definition

Impressionism is an art movement that originated in the late 19th century in France, characterized by a focus on capturing light and movement through small, visible brush strokes and a vibrant use of color.

Examples

Monet’s painting ‘Impression, Sunrise’ is often cited as the work that gave Impressionism its name.
Many famous impressionists, such as Renoir and Degas, also focused on everyday life and outdoor scenes.

Meaning

The term ‘impressionism’ reflects the artists’ intent to provide an ‘impression’ of a scene or moment rather than a detailed, realistic representation.