Impressionism was the most important artistic movement in Western art in the 19th century. It grew partly out of the new freedom of expression in post-Napoleonic France, and partly out of the new importance given to landscape and open-air painting through the work of artists such as Constable and Corot.
Informative columns of text regarding each artist of the impressionist era next to full color paintings. Condensed info, key dates, + background on the art pieces = five star book. Reads like a textbook, perfect for those wanting to learn about the lore behind the art of the impressionists.