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When you think of ideas to decorate your room walls, paintings and other beautiful artworks usually fit your dire needs. Variety of styles exists in the world of art. Art lovers are always keen to know more about the distinct paintings displayed in art galleries. Gone are the days when only traditions and traditional values existed in India. These days modern art is playing dominant role in any Indian art gallery. One such modern art form is Impressionism.
What is Impressionism? 

It originated in 19th century by Paris-based artists.  It was a complete deviation from all traditional art forms of sculptures and painting styles. It was a modern way of expressing an artist’s view points. Though, art community in France which respected only conventional art ideas disregarded this form. To stand out of the other forms of art, one needs to think out of the box and create something new and distinguished. Similarly, enormous new techniques were brought to use by impressionists to create innovative styles of paintings. 

The techniques employed in the paintings were:

  • Brush strokes were visible, yet very thin and small
  • Consists of various subjects i.e. it is very dynamic image and doesn’t restrict to just one focused element
  • Light depiction is considered an important attribute and precise attention is paid to reflection of light
  • Surprising visual angles
  • Generally based on an experience or perception
  • Paint was applied on white or light colored background unlike, dark or grey mediums used earlier.
  • Mixing of colors was avoided as much as possible, so that contrast is vividly visible


Earlier, creating impressionist paintings were said to be violations of rules of paintings academics. It’s mind-boggling that why painting realistic scenes from modern life was against the norms. But, artists realized that they needed to portray the modern society as well and hence, did not discontinue their work. They wanted to behold the transient effects of sunlight in their paintings, so, they employed the use of short-broken brush strokes to create shaded or smooth designs of appropriate color intensity.

It evolved in France but other artists in Italy also begun to use new techniques to create impressionist style of paintings. Abundant amount of color was used to make the paintings astonishing and eye-catchy. This led to the general viewers appreciate and accept this style even if the community was against it.

The Academia, who dominated French art in 19th century, safeguarded the content and style of traditional French paintings. This led to still-life and landscape paintings not getting much admiration. He inclined toward the paintings which gave him a realistic approach. In these, colors were often restrained and toned down further by applying golden varnish.   
 
Influence of photography

These days photos are a common aspect in our lives but earlier when the camera was new and photography was getting attention,  expressionists thought of capturing not only landscape scenes in their paintings but also daily lives of people. They created designs with wider subject and boundaries, so much, that they resembled a snapshot. Thus, it can be deduced that photography gave a kind of challenge to the artists because they were not able to create reality onto their canvas as good as the photographs did it. Photographs were more reliable and this devalued the artist in the eyes of public. But, art according to the impressionist was their imagination and perception of nature instead of actual representation of the world. It led to extensive use of colors by artists to present as colorful paintings as the world is because photographs were still black and white!!

Thus, trend of impressionism developed and evolved with time. Famous landscape paintings and other beautiful sceneries are a part of impressionism.  Art would lose its meaning if it never represents something that a common man can relate to. Artists keep developing beautiful designs to come out with extraordinary impressions of how they see the world and it is no wonder fantasizing.