The Impressionist period signified a time of artistic freedom and a move away from conventional techniques. Previous works of art was more stiffly posed with dark colors, and overly dramatic lightning. Impressionism often personifies the beauty of nature through un-natural means. The realism and romanticism period before often focused on nature as a subject matter, but in a more realistic fashion. The impressionist technique was unlike any that had been done before it. The style has strong, unblended brush strokes that would be thought a mistake in other styles. The realism period was all about detail, while the Impressionist period is about the lack for detail instead focusing on emotion and movement. The brush strokes also often help indicate movement. One can see this illustrated in this painting, as the swirling clouds with long brush strokes indicate wind and movement in the piece. The painting as a whole is a bit blurred and loosely painted, and speaks of a dream like quality. This quality adds some softness to the intensity of the colors. The colors within the painting are vivid and cool in tone suggesting serenity. Impressionism can be seen as a move away from order and balance (Gombrich). This work personifies this trait with the chaotic use of color and direction. The calmness related in the painting provokes an emotional response. The viewer can almost feel the emotional response as they view it.
After the Napoleonic period, art typically had three distinct subject matters, religion, political, or historical significance (Gombrich). Landscapes were not often valued (Gombrich). Impressionists on the contrary made art that had little significance in these areas, but stirred the emotion of the public. This was a different concept as art for enjoyment and beauty. Anyone can enjoy Impressionist art, and it takes no prior knowledge of art technique or history to understand it.
Claude Monet was a master Impressionist artist, whose works inspired a new art movement. His radical style often depicted un-idealized landscapes, whose colors where unrealistic, moving away from the traditional earth tones. The main relationship between him and his art focused on the sensation of viewing nature. Monet often used the fall of light in a way in which it would in nature, not just spotlighting key elements as was the previous style. Monet painted in bold, separate strokes or vivid color.The loose, brush strokes, and how the subjects are typically rendered in a soft fashion to give a mere “impression.” (“the stroll”). This paintings are interesting because it appears different depending on what angle and distance you are viewing it from. Impressionist style is supposed to be recognizable from a glance.
When Nathan Knobler said “the painter learns to work within the limits of his medium,” he is stating the in order for a work of art to be successful, the artist must learn to use their medium correctly in order to gain the effect desired (Gombrich). It is true that particular mediums do limit and have a great impact on the techniques used and overall result. Many wonderful works of art would never have been created had not some brave artists rebelled against conventional practices and pushed to go beyond the limits of their mediums. Monet certainly breaks out of convention and uses paint in new innovative styles and methods.
Works Cited:
Gombrich, E. (2003). The story of art. Phaidon. Boston.
The Stroll, Camille Monet and Her Son Jean. (n.d.). Ibiblio. Retrieved March 21, 2013, from www.ibiblio.org/wm/paint/a uth/monet/later/parasol
