Impressionism Art vs. Post-Impressionism Art

Attribute	Impressionism Art	Post-Impressionism Art
Time Period	1860s-1880s	1880s-1900s
Artists	Claude Monet, Edgar Degas, Pierre-Auguste Renoir	Vincent van Gogh, Paul Cézanne, Georges Seurat
Style	Focus on capturing the momentary effects of light and color	Emphasis on symbolic and expressive content, use of vivid colors and bold brushstrokes
Technique	Loose brushwork, visible brushstrokes, emphasis on capturing atmosphere	Use of pointillism, divisionism, and other innovative techniques
Influence	Inspired by the changing world and urbanization	Pushed boundaries of traditional art, influenced modern art movements

Introduction

Impressionism and Post-Impressionism are two significant art movements that emerged in the late 19th century in France. While both movements were a reaction against the traditional art of the time, they have distinct characteristics that set them apart from each other. In this article, we will explore the attributes of Impressionism and Post-Impressionism art and compare their key differences.

Impressionism

Impressionism was a revolutionary art movement that emerged in the 1870s in France. Artists such as Claude Monet, Edgar Degas, and Pierre-Auguste Renoir were at the forefront of this movement. One of the key characteristics of Impressionism is its focus on capturing the fleeting effects of light and color. Impressionist artists often painted en plein air, or outdoors, to capture the changing light and atmosphere of a scene. They used short, broken brushstrokes to create a sense of movement and spontaneity in their paintings.

• Focus on capturing light and color
• Painting en plein air
• Short, broken brushstrokes

Post-Impressionism

Post-Impressionism emerged in the 1880s as a reaction against the limitations of Impressionism. Artists such as Paul Cézanne, Vincent van Gogh, and Georges Seurat were key figures in this movement. Post-Impressionist artists sought to express more emotional and symbolic content in their work. They experimented with color, form, and composition in ways that went beyond the naturalistic approach of Impressionism. Post-Impressionist paintings often feature bold colors, geometric shapes, and a sense of distortion or exaggeration.

• Emphasis on emotional and symbolic content
• Experimentation with color, form, and composition
• Bold colors and geometric shapes

Comparison

While Impressionism and Post-Impressionism share some similarities, such as their rejection of academic conventions and their focus on capturing the essence of a scene, they also have distinct differences that set them apart. One of the key differences between the two movements is their approach to color. Impressionist artists used a more naturalistic palette, while Post-Impressionist artists often used bold, non-naturalistic colors to convey emotion and meaning.

Another difference between Impressionism and Post-Impressionism is their approach to form and composition. Impressionist artists focused on capturing the immediate impression of a scene, often using loose brushwork and a sense of spontaneity. In contrast, Post-Impressionist artists were more concerned with structure and form, experimenting with geometric shapes and distorted perspectives to create a sense of depth and dimension in their work.

Additionally, while Impressionist artists often painted en plein air to capture the changing light and atmosphere of a scene, Post-Impressionist artists were more likely to work in a studio, using their imagination and memory to create expressive and symbolic compositions. This difference in approach reflects the shift from a focus on observation and naturalism in Impressionism to a more subjective and emotional approach in Post-Impressionism.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Impressionism and Post-Impressionism are two important art movements that emerged in the late 19th century in France. While both movements were a reaction against the traditional art of the time, they have distinct characteristics that set them apart from each other. Impressionism focused on capturing the fleeting effects of light and color, while Post-Impressionism sought to express more emotional and symbolic content in their work. By comparing the attributes of Impressionism and Post-Impressionism, we can gain a deeper understanding of the evolution of modern art and the diverse ways in which artists have sought to express themselves through their work.