What describes Impressionist paintings?

Answer 1

Impressionist paintings are characterized by their liberal application of color, visible brushstrokes, and emphasis on light. Unlike Academic art - the vogue aesthetic of the day in France - the Impressionists applied paint quickly with little concern for the finished, smooth quality of the composition. The Impressionists also deviated from the Academy's emphasis on grand history paintings, and instead depicted the mundane: landscapes, and scenes of everyday life in the city and countryside. The Impressionists were interested in capturing the appearance of nature at different times of day; thus, series of paintings of the same subject are not uncommon (such as Claude Monet's Waterlilies). Impressionists were not limited to landscapes and views of the city, however. Several of the Impressionists sought to capture the fleeting essence of beauty, movement, and motherhood - seen in the work of artists such as Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Edgar Degas, and Mary Cassatt respectively.

Answer 2

Impressionist paintings are characterized by their liberal application of color, visible brushstrokes, and emphasis on light. Unlike Academic art - the vogue aesthetic of the day in France - the Impressionists applied paint quickly with little concern for the finished, smooth quality of the composition. The Impressionists also deviated from the Academy's emphasis on grand history paintings, and instead depicted the mundane: landscapes, and scenes of everyday life in the city and countryside. The Impressionists were interested in capturing the appearance of nature at different times of day; thus, series of paintings of the same subject are not uncommon (such as Claude Monet's Waterlilies). Impressionists were not limited to landscapes and views of the city, however. Several of the Impressionists sought to capture the fleeting essence of beauty, movement, and motherhood - seen in the work of artists such as Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Edgar Degas, and Mary Cassatt respectively.