"Artists who rejected the official, government-sanctioned exhibitions, or salons, and were consequently shunned by powerful academic art institutions." Thus the creation of the Impressionistic period. These artists "aimed to capture the momentary, sensory effect of a scene - the impression objects made on the eye in a fleeting instant."
An elephant became the face of the Republican Party. A cartoonist did not want President Grant to run for a third term so he drew a cartoon of him as an elephant in the Harper's Weekly 1874.
"Democratic ideals and the Industrial Revolution swept through Europe." (Nineteenth-Century Classical Music, 2016) Many lives were effected by these changes. People struggled to follow the new world orders and fought to live by the old ways. Napoleonic Wars and American Civil Wars were started from these conflicts. Musicians before the impressionism period were hired by churches and or courts as a form of personal entertainment. Music was created specifically for each event they were attending. With the changes of the "New World" came requests for many other things. Such as music for middle class as well as access to school and musical performances. Romanticism was introduced into Art, Music, and Literature.
"Women's Christian Temperance Union was founded in Cleveland, in 1874." (Political and Social History, 2013).
"Impressionism grew out of a late Romantic subjective view of nature, which a biblical worldview would reject." (State of the Arts, 1991) The artists despite their religion are actually more connected to God than they know. They are using God's creation for their art so in all actuality God is to thank for such beautiful works of art, instead of the artist.
During the mid nineteenth century Paris was being renovated so this offered up different landscapes for artists to paint to demonstrate their style. They were more concerned about capturing what was being seen at a split second rather than the still objects of the artists before them.
"About 1850, the invention of wet collodion allowed photographs that previously required long poses to be taken in a matter of seconds." Photography played a big role during this time. It allowed the artist to preserve the image they are trying to obtain in real time so they could reference it for details if needed.
"Artists who changed accepted concepts on color and light" (Impressionism, 2016). Artists during this period would painting during a certain time of day, that way are consistent with the lighting of their artwork. If the lighting was off then it would change how the artist was seeing his landscape/object. It would change the colors that are needed and confuse the viewers perception of the painting also. Artists used lighter colors such as pastels to enhance the setting and make their art appear pure.
"Impressionists paint based on how the human eye perceives the object." (State of the Arts) Some artists during this period would just dab the paint on, so when looking at the painting up close it just looks like a bunch of paint blobs but once you take a step back you are able to realize the true beauty of the painting. Paintings by Monet are a prime example of paint blotches and dabbing. His work shows depth and texture that artists before this period were not able to demonstrate in their work.
Impressionism artists moved their studio outdoors so they could observe first hand the beauty that is all around them. This is where they would get their inspiration for their artwork.
Claude Monet 1840-1926; The revolutionary of the impressionistic period. Claude Monet was one the individuals responsible for starting the impression period. He was ridiculed by the Salon (Art Institutions) for his art. He wanted to paint what the eye was seeing instead of what the brain was telling him he was seeing. He used "light from open air, broken color and rapid brushstrokes, in what later came to be known as Impressionism." (Claude Oscar Monet Biography, 2016) Most artists during this time would paint in a rushed manor. When he went to Paris, he saw many artists copying what the masters were painting and Monet did not want to do that. Instead he sat near the window and started painting what he saw. In 1872, Monet painted Impression Sunrise. This piece was the reason for the name Impressionism. In this piece Monet used very vivid colors to contrast each other. The skyline looks as though the sun is getting ready to set for the evening and the use of orange for the dusking sun adds a brightness to the painting. The colors he chooses help paint a happy and calming picture. The darker colors tend to be through the center of the piece to give the illusion of the darkness creeping in but the lighter colors used on the bottom show you that the daylight is still there resisting the fight to go away. He used chunky and quick brush strokes to create this beautiful painting. This is another painting that if you are too close it might just look like a bunch of paint dots but as you distance yourself from it, it becomes a masterful work of art to look at.
His piece "Water Lilies" is a combination of 250 paintings of water lilies. He uses many different shades of pastels and lighter colors in this painting. This is such a pretty painting. I enjoy looking at how he made the lily pads look. They are not the perfectly draw lily pads that most before his time would have drawn. But instead they appear as messy on the painting as they do in real life. He has an amazing way of capturing images as the eye perceives them.
Vincent Van Gogh 1853-1890; He was one of the greatest Dutch painters. He only sold one painting in his lifetime and became successful after his death. The painting "Starry Night" is one of my all time favorite paintings. This painting is such a vibrant, beautiful, and creative piece. In this painting he used nighttime for his lighting. It was said that he painted this piece when he was in an asylum. The way he painted this piece demonstrates how he interpreted the movement of the wind and shows how the moon light covers the land. He uses a combination of light and dark paint colors to create a vibrant and bold color scheme. The bright yellow he uses for the moonlight and the stars brings and uplifting mood to the painting. If he would have stayed with only dark colors it would appear to be a dreary sad painting. Due to the choice of bright colors it brings a happy whimsical feel to the painting. The texture and chunks of paint used in this, helps add to the movement of the sky but also shows depth and texture to keep the eye moving throughout the sky. The variations in color allow the viewer to move through the painting, following the swirling stars, down to the darkness of the sleeping town. He was a masterful painter and an ideal impressionist.
Piotr Llyich Tchaikovsky (1840-1893); Tchaikovsky is one of the most widely known Russian composers. He was an all around musician. He played, wrote and composed his music and others. His music is famous for its strong emotion, and his technical skill and strict work habits helped guarantee its lasting appeal. (Peter Llyich Tchaikovsky Biography, 2016). Tchaikovsky had to support himself because of family financial troubles. This was what started his success with composing musical numbers. Tchaikovsky created music for everyone to enjoy. During this time period most composers were hired for royal or wealthy entertainment only. He wrote and composed music for ballets and shows for all to enjoy. The romantic in Tchaikovsky found its greatest outlet in his three great ballet scores, all of which are eternally popular. The Nutcracker is a perennial Christmas favorite, and the well-known theme of the tragic Swan-Princess from Swan Lake seems to embody the intense, heartfelt, romanticized suffering which Tchaikovsky's music gives voice to so often. (Music of the 18th and 19th Century, 2016). The Nut Cracker was one of my favorite musicals as a child. The music is so magical and gives real emotion and depth to the ballet. This musical number evokes a nostalgic Christmas atmosphere.
Johannes Brahms (1833-1897); Growing up poor Brahms had to provide for himself by playing piano at bars and brothels. This was his version of studying music. Brahms created a repertoire of works that amounts to a glowing and majestic apotheosis of the musical traditions of the nineteenth-century. (Music of the 18th and 19th Century, 2016). By starting his musical adventure in bars and brothels allowed him to fight against the rules for composers to play for the wealthy and instead he performed for the common folk. Brahms musical style is magisterial and he brings an intense tone to each piece. The Symphony No 3 in F Major OP is a great musical piece. The sound in this creation gives a whimsical dream sequence tone that has a darker edge. This is a very beautiful musical creation that is stirring, heroic, gentle and melancholy. (Music of the 18th and 19th Century, 2016).
The Way We Live Now by Anthony Trollope, 1873; Anthony Trollope is the epitome of the 19th-century English writer, indefatigable, popular and tightly wired-in to his society, a monument of productivity. (100 Best Novels, 2016). When Trollope published his autobiography, he tanks according to his peers. This was shattering towards his image as an artist. He needed to have a big come back. This was a big inspiration that pushed him towards the success of his book The way we live now. Trollope, who had been living in Australia for 18 months, had returned to London in 1872, to find a society (as he saw it) mired in corruption. This was later used towards his writing. "A certain class of dishonesty, dishonesty magnificent in its proportions, and climbing into high places… so rampant and so splendid that there seems to be reason for fearing that men and women will be taught to feel that dishonesty, if it can become splendid, will cease to be abominable." This became a famous quote by Trollope that talks about the corruption he witnessed. Trollope was now untethered from a lifetime of careful plotting, and scrupulous narration, he was able to plunge deeper into his subject unencumbered by the restraints of literary technique. The Way We Live Now has a raw and edgy vitality (fading towards the end) that's often missing in Trollope's more routine novels. (100 Best Novels, 2016). Still to this day, The Way We Live Now is one of the top 100 Novels. He finally found his footing and was able to make himself stand out in the crowd. He more than made up for the Autobiography disaster.
The Impressionism Period was such a unique and extraordinary time. Artists before this period were more about copy what someone has already created. Still, perfectly painted and dark color palettes. Impressionism was more about quick work, perfect lighting, lighter more contrasting colors, and creating images that reflect what the human eye is actually seeing. Chunky, textural paintings that up close look like an ink blot test but when you step back and take a look it becomes a beautiful masterpiece. This was a period that allowed artists to stand out and be different. Not only to be different but to be able to embrace their difference with unique creativity.
Credits and Acknowledgements Page
Veith, G.E. (1991). State of the Arts: From Bezalel to Mapplethorpe. New York: Crossway.
Impressionism: The Innovations and Influence. 2016. Retrieved from http://www.webexhibits.org/colorart/page18.html
Impressionism. 2016. Retrieved from http://www.theartstory.org/movement-impressionism.htm
Claude Oscar Monet Biography. 2002-2016. Retrieved from http://www.claudemonetgallery.org/biography.html
Piort Llyich Tchaikovsky Biography. 2016. Retrieved from http://www.notablebiographies.com/St-Tr/Tchaikovsky-Peter-Ilyich.html
Nineteenth-Century Classical Music. 2000-2016. Retrieved from http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/amcm/hd_amcm.htm
Johannes Brahms Biography. 2016. Retrieved from http://www.notablebiographies.com/Be-Br/Brahms-Johannes.html
The Music of the 18th and 19th Century. 2016. https://spark.adobe.com/page/yHFil/
Political and Social History. 2013. Retrieved from http://public.wsu.edu/~campbelld/amlit/1870.htm
The 100 best novels: No 22 – The Way We Live Now by Anthony Trollope (1875). 2016. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/books/2014/feb/17/110-best-novels-way-we-live-now-trollope
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