How to Appreciate Impressionist Paintings

The Impressionist movement began in the late 19th century by rebellious young artists looking for new ways to use light and color. They angered traditionalists by painting objects and scenes that lacked definition. Instead, Impressionists explored how the viewer's eye interprets objects. Known for painting quickly and spontaneously, leading Impressionist painters include Claude Monet, Pierre Auguste Renoir and Edouard Manet. Here's how to develop an appreciation for their work.

Instructions

1. Consider the subject matter. Impressionist painters broke away from the standard subject matter of royalty, mythology and historical realism. Instead, they concentrated on the modern world, particularly landscapes. Impressionists departed from the norm by painting ordinary people engaged in everyday activities instead of posed for portraits.

2. Examine the light sources. The exploration and translation of light onto the canvas was the core of Impressionist painting. Look particularly at unusual displays of light, such as filtering through tree branches or reflecting off water.

3. Look at the artist's technique. Unlike the traditional schools of painting, which were careful to smooth the paint, Impressionists used short, strong strokes and were unconcerned if the brush stroke was visible. Observe how the brush stroke reflects light, further adding illumination to the paintings.

4. Observe the colors in the painting. Impressionists painted with many colors, mostly in vibrant shades. Rather than mixing colors before applying to the canvas, they placed the colors directly on the canvas and allowed the viewer's eye to mix the colors optically. Note also that there is little use of black, which makes the painting brighter.

5. Allow the eye to view the painting as a whole. Rather than look at each item in the painting, instead look for an overall mood and feeling. Determine which emotion the painting most evokes, such as peacefulness, serenity, exhaustion, joy or anticipation.

Tips & Warnings

• Look at a variety paintings by different Impressionist painters. Note the differences and similarities. Determine if a particular artist is a favorite.

• Because of the Impressionists' use of light and paint, a photograph of an Impressionist painting does not do it justice. If possible, try to see the original work.