impressionism

emerged in France during the late 19th century, the movement was initiated by a group of artists, including Claude Monet, Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Camille Pissarro, Edgar Degas & Berthe Morisot, who sought to capture the fleeting effects of light, atmosphere, & movement in their works. Impressionist artists were characterized by their preference for en plein air painting (working outdoors) to observe & depict scenes of everyday life, landscapes & urban environments directly as they appeared in natural light. Philosophically, Impressionism represented a shift toward the subjective perception of reality & an embrace of modernity. The movement reflected the rapid urbanization, industrialization & social changes occurring in late 19th-century Europe, particularly in Paris, which was the epicenter of cultural transformation.

By capturing moments of contemporary life with a sense of ephemerality, Impressionist works emphasized the transitory nature of experience & the idea that perception is influenced by ever-changing conditions of light & weather. The movement challenged the establishment, as the artists often exhibited their work independently from the state-sponsored Salon de Paris, leading to significant criticism from traditionalists but gradually earning acceptance as a groundbreaking & influential artistic movement.

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