Impressionism: Origins, Practice, Reception

World of Art

by Belinda Thomson

A highly accessible and fresh account that brings together the latest research on this perennially popular art movement.


The enduring popularity of Impressionism belies what the group of eponymous painters stood for. In the 1870s and 1880s, French artists dubbed the Impressionists, including Pissarro, Monet, Degas, Morisot, and Renoir, adopted a revolutionary style of technique and subject matter that defied the traditions of the French Academy and the salons. Rooted in anarchism, political radicalism, and a belief in science and individualism, their paintings captured modern life in ways never seen before.


Acclaimed art historian Belinda Thomson’s insightful study sheds light on the personal lives and creative thinking behind the great Impressionists, exploring the varied factors that shaped their masterpieces. From family backgrounds to the importance of the art market and the critical reception that challenged, yet ultimately defined their work, this introduction offers a nuanced exploration of one of the most transformative movements in art history.

Genres: Art, Nonfiction, Art History

472 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 1, 1988

Reviews

[Kennedy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Never did I think I'd read an entire textbook dedicated to a study of art, but, wow, this was an incredibly perceptive, well-written, and engaging read that not only relayed the misunderstood Impressionist movement, but the socio-historical roots of its painters and their time. Incredible!!

[Maritza · Rating 4 out of 5]

I finally got around to finishing this book. I've always had a special fondness for impressionism but I've never really read a book about it. The tone for this book was informational and interesting and even unbiased towards the artists ( which is rare to find I think) so I really liked that you got a sense of what they were struggling with. Thomson really broke down all the cliches you hear about: "the typical artist that is misunderstood"



-->Instead your take away is well rounded - they dealt with a lot of shit but there was also good stuff too

Really liked it, recommend it as a first read on impressionism!

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a textbook for my French Impressionism class, and it really was a nice overview of the whole movement. Easy and quick to read, and it has tons of illustrations in it.

[Tabish Khan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a comprehensive look back at the much-loved art movement, how the artists came together, the feuds and correcting the myths - such as the belief they were critically panned, when in fact most reviews were favourable or mixed. It's also written mainly in a way that's easy to process and not overly academic or dry, unlike many art books.

[Michael Pennington · Rating 4 out of 5]

Helpful for university

[Clau Ferrando]

interesante x2

[Peter · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good survey of the backgrounds and careers of the greats of the impressionist period, with lots of color illustrations.