20 Impressionism Artists You Should Know About

Impressionism, an iconic movement in art’s landscape that flourished in the 19th century, dramatically shifted traditional artistic perspectives and paved the way for modern art. In this vibrant and ephemeral world of Impressionism, a unique cadre of artists – including the likes of Claude Monet, Pierre-Auguste Renoir and Edouard Manet – made their indelible mark, challenging conventional beliefs and presenting the world through their profoundly subjective lenses. This article will delve into the life and work of these artistic revolutionaries, exploring the myriad of ways they pushed the envelope of artistic expression, capturing fleeting moments on their canvas with bold colors and innovative techniques that still continue to captivate audiences today.

1. Claude Monet

Claude Monet – Biography of the French Painter

Claude Monet, born in Paris in 1840, is widely recognized as a founding figure of the Impressionist movement, a revolutionary shift in western visual arts that sought to capture the fleeting effects of light and color in the natural world. His approach to painting outdoors, or en plein air, was pivotal to the development of Impressionism, initiating a shift away from the formal conventions of the time towards a more naturalistic representation of the world. Monet s innovative use of fragmented brushstrokes and his emphasis on capturing transient moments are encapsulated in his iconic works such as the ‘Water Lilies’ series and ‘Impression, Sunrise,’ the latter of which lent the Impressionist movement its name. His bold painting techniques and his commitment to portraying the transient effects of daylight, weather, and season on the landscape solidified his status as one of the most important figures in the history of art.

For more info, see the full Claude Monet Biography

Claude Monet Artwork

Weeping Willow

Weeping Willow

Breakup of Ice, Lavacourt, Grey Weather

Breakup of Ice, Lavacourt, Grey Weather

Burgo Marina at Bordighera

Burgo Marina at Bordighera

By the River at Vernon

By the River at Vernon

By the Sea

By the Sea

Calm Weather, Fecamp

Calm Weather, Fecamp
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2. Edgar Degas

Edgar Degas Biography and Artwork

Edgar Degas was a renowned French artist known for his significant contributions to the Impressionism movement in the late 19th century. Born in Paris to a wealthy family in 1834, Degas broke away from the traditional academic teachings of the era to join the Impressionists in their quest for new methods of capturing light and movement. While he often distanced himself from the group in terms of technique and subject matter, preferring indoor scenes and focusing on figures in motion, such as dancers, racehorses, and laundresses, his vibrant color palette and loose brushwork earmarked him a critical figure in the movement. Degas expertly blurred the lines between classical and avant-garde, employing both old-master techniques and daring experimentation, such as unconventional viewpoints and cropping. His work significantly expanded the repertoire of Impressionism and continues to be revered for its dynamic composition and profound psychological depth.

For more info, see the full Edgar Degas Biography

Edgar Degas Artwork

Combing the Hair

Combing the Hair

Portrait Of James Tissot

Portrait Of James Tissot

At the Café

At the Café

At the Cafe des Ambassadeurs

At the Cafe des Ambassadeurs

At the Milliner's

At the Milliner's

At the Milliner's

At the Milliner's
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3. Edouard Manet

Edouard Manet – Artwork & Bio of the French Painter

douard Manet was a pivotal figure in the evolution of Impressionism, a 19th-century art movement marked by small, thin, yet visible brush strokes depicting the visual impression of a scene rather than the details. Born in Paris in 1832, Manet straddled the realms of Realism and the burgeoning Impressionism. Although not officially part of the Impressionist exhibitions, he became a major influence on the Impressionist painters through his new approach towards painting modernity and his innovative use of light. Notable pieces such as “Olympia” and “The Luncheon on the Grass” broke away from historical and mythological subjects, focusing instead on contemporary life. Manet’s innovative dealing with color, light, and shadow significantly contributed to the development of the Impressionistic style, making him a forefather of modern art.

For more info, see the full Edouard Manet Biography

Edouard Manet Artwork

The Departure Of The Folkestone Boat

The Departure Of The Folkestone Boat

The Exposition Universelle

The Exposition Universelle

Guitar and Hat

Guitar and Hat

Gypsy with a Cigarette

Gypsy with a Cigarette

Head of a Dog

Head of a Dog

Head of a Man (Claude Monet)

Head of a Man (Claude Monet)
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4. Berthe Morisot

Berthe Morisot Biography and Artwork

Berthe Morisot was a central figure in the Impressionist art movement and one of the most significant female artists of her time. Born in 1841 in Bourges, France, Morisot pursued her passion for painting at a young age, later becoming closely affiliated with renowned artists including douard Manet, whom she married, and douard’s brother Eug ne Manet, who became her mentor. As one of the founding members of the Paris Impressionist group, she played a pivotal role in shaping the movement with her appealing art style that captured everyday life with a delicate, flowing touch; famously portrayed in pieces such as “The Cradle” and “Summer’s Day”. Being the first woman to exhibit in the Impressionist exhibitions, Morisot’s contributions significantly challenged the traditional norms of the male-dominated French art scene and had a lasting impact on Impressionism artwork.

For more info, see the full Berthe Morisot Biography

Berthe Morisot Artwork

Choir Boy

Choir Boy

Conversation

Conversation

Cottage Interior (also known as Interior at Jersey)

Cottage Interior (also known as Interior at Jersey)

Daffodils

Daffodils

Dahlias

Dahlias

Daisies

Daisies
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5. Auguste Renoir

Auguste Renoir was a seminal French artist and a spearhead of the Impressionist movement, which revolutionized European art in the 19th century. He is renowned for his keen observation of light and its effect on colors, bringing a new vibrancy and lightness to painting. His close association with other impressionist artists like Claude Monet led to the development and progression of the style, with Renoir particularly noted for his focus on the human form and portraiture. Renoir’s works such as “Bal du moulin de la Galette” and “Luncheon of the Boating Party” vividly illustrate this style, using soft brush strokes and warm, saturated colors to capture the transient effects of sunlight and mood, which became defining characteristics of Impressionism. His innovative approach and masterful works have secured his status as one of the giants of Impressionist art.

6. Camille Pissarro

Camille Pissarro – Artwork & Bio of the Danish Painter

Camille Pissarro was a Danish-French Impressionist and Neo-Impressionist painter born on the island of St Thomas. He is recognized for his central influence in the development of both the Impressionist and Post-Impressionist movements. His contributions include incorporating “en plein air” painting, capturing the essence of natural daylight, and utilizing loose brushwork to capture fleeting moments. As the only artist to have shown his work at all eight Paris Impressionist exhibitions, his commitment demonstrates his role as a pivotal figure in the shift from traditional to modern art. Pissarro’s works like “Boulevard Montmartre, Spring Morning” and “Children on a Farm” are celebrated for their innovative techniques and portrayal of the transience of light and color. He also mentored artists such as C zanne and Gauguin, further solidifying his influence on Impressionism.

For more info, see the full Camille Pissarro Biography

Camille Pissarro Artwork

Bourgeois House in l'Hermitage, Pontoise

Bourgeois House in l'Hermitage, Pontoise

Brickworks at Eragny

Brickworks at Eragny

Bridge at Montfoucault

Bridge at Montfoucault

By the Water

By the Water

Cagnes Landscape

Cagnes Landscape

Carriage on a Country Road, Winter, Outskirts of Louveciennes

Carriage on a Country Road, Winter, Outskirts of Louveciennes
View All Camille Pissarro Artwork

7. Gustave Caillebotte

Gustave Caillebotte – Artwork and Bio of French painter

Gustave Caillebotte was a notable French artist and patron associated with the Impressionist movement of the late 19th century. Born into a wealthy family in Paris in 1848, Caillebotte used his wealth to support fellow Impressionist artists including Monet, Renoir, and Pissarro, and was instrumental in organizing and funding the group’s exhibitions. His own work is distinguished by his realistic depiction of contemporary life and his unique perspectives and angles. Caillebotte was also an accomplished urban landscape painter, his most famous works such as “Paris Street; Rainy Day” and “Floor Scrapers” showcasing the transformative effects of modernity on Parisian life. Even though he was lesser-known during his time than some contemporaries, his masterful handling of light and raw depiction of the Parisian middle class, made Caillebotte an important figure in the Impressionist movement.

For more info, see the full Gustave Caillebotte Biography

Gustave Caillebotte Artwork

Naked Woman Lying on a Couch

Naked Woman Lying on a Couch

Nasturtiums

Nasturtiums

Nasturtiums

Nasturtiums

Norman Landscape

Norman Landscape

Nude on a Couch

Nude on a Couch

On the Pont De L’Europe

On the Pont De L’Europe
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8. Mary Cassatt

Mary Cassatt Biography and Artwork

Mary Cassatt, born in 1844, was one of the preeminent artists in the Impressionist movement of the late 19th century. She was the lone American officially associated with the group, best known for her portrayal of women’s social and private lives, specifically the special bond between mothers and their children. Cassatt’s oil paintings and pastels exemplified lightness, subtlety, and immediacy, which were all essential characteristics of the Impressionist era. Her invaluable contributions to the Impressionist movement include the use of unconventional viewpoints, the open composition, playing with light, making ordinary scenes look vivid, and incorporating movement as a crucial element of visual perception. Cassatt’s distinguished oeuvre significantly advanced the Impressionist aim to represent life as it was genuinely lived and experienced in the modern world.

For more info, see the full Mary Cassatt Biography

Mary Cassatt Artwork

Francoise Wearing a Big White Hat

Francoise Wearing a Big White Hat

Gathering Fruit

Gathering Fruit

Girl In Large Hat

Girl In Large Hat

Girl's Head Green Background

Girl's Head Green Background

Girl with a Banjo

Girl with a Banjo

Head of a Young Girl

Head of a Young Girl
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9. Alfred Sisley

Alfred Sisley – Artwork and Bio of French Painter

Alfred Sisley was a notable British-born French Impressionist painter who devoted his entire career to landscape painting, often exploring the same locations in different seasons and various lights. He was born on October 30, 1839, in Paris, France. Considered one of the pioneers of Impressionism, Sisley’s work focused primarily on atmospheric depiction of suburban landscapes, in a style characterized by his delicate handling of color and light, loose brushwork, and serene depictions of nature. He contributed to all but one of the eight Impressionist exhibitions between 1874 and 1886, showing more than 150 works total. Sisley’s intimate, nuanced, and poetic landscapes made him one of the most distinctive contributors to the Impressionist movement, while his consistent focus on landscape art also differentiated him from his contemporaries, who frequently painted portraits and urban scenes. Sadly, Sisley died in relative obscurity and financial hardship in 1899, but his works are now celebrated and held in major collections worldwide.

For more info, see the full Alfred Sisley Biography

Alfred Sisley Artwork

The straw Rent

The straw Rent

The Terrace at Saint Germain, Spring

The Terrace at Saint Germain, Spring

The Tugboat

The Tugboat

The Village of Moret, Seen from the Fields

The Village of Moret, Seen from the Fields

The village of Sablons

The village of Sablons

The Washerwomen of Moret

The Washerwomen of Moret
View All Alfred Sisley Artwork

10. Frederic Bazille

Frederic Bazille Biography and Artwork

Jean Frederic Bazille was a French painter who played an integral role in the establishment of the Impressionist movement, which aimed to capture the fleeting effects of light and color in the natural world. Born in 1841, Bazille was a contemporary and close friend of artists like Claude Monet and Pierre-Auguste Renoir, mutual collaborations which resulted in distinctive works that blurred the lines between traditional and modern art. Although his career was sadly cut short at the age of 28 in the Franco-Prussian War, Bazille’s works were notable for their clarity of composition, bright palette and outdoor scenes, elements that were pivotal in the development of Impressionism. His major works, such as “Family Reunion” and “Studio in the Rue de La Condamine,” truly embodied the essence of the new art movement, which is seen today through the worldwide reverence for Impressionism.

For more info, see the full Frederic Bazille Biography

Frederic Bazille Artwork

La Toilette

La Toilette

Le Petit Jardinier (the Little Gardener)

Le Petit Jardinier (the Little Gardener)

Paysage au bord du Lez

Paysage au bord du Lez

Summer Scene

Summer Scene

Bazille's Studio; 9 rue de la Condamine

Bazille's Studio; 9 rue de la Condamine

Portrait of Pierre-Auguste Renoir

Portrait of Pierre-Auguste Renoir
View All Frederic Bazille Artwork

11. Johan Jongkind

Johan Jongkind was a Dutch painter and printmaker who is considered a pivotal figure in the transition to Impressionism. Active during the 19th century, he initially trained in The Hague before moving to France, where he became associated with the Barbizon School and was a major influence on the young Impressionists, notably Claude Monet. Jongkind’s innovative use of light and color enabled him to capture atmospheric effects, mood, and a sense of time and place, elements that would later be fundamental to Impressionism. His landscape and marine paintings, like “The Seine and Notre-Dame in Paris” and “The Canal in Holland,” served as practical studies for the emerging Impressionists and contributed substantially to the development of modern painting.

Johan Jongkind Artwork

Ruins of the Castle in Rosemont

Ruins of the Castle in Rosemont

Skating in Holland

Skating in Holland

The Boulevard de Port-Royal, Paris

The Boulevard de Port-Royal, Paris
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12. Marie Bracquemond

Marie Bracquemond was a prominent French Impressionist painter, known as one of “les trois grandes dames” (the three great ladies) of Impressionism alongside Berthe Morisot and Mary Cassatt. Born in Argentan, France in 1840, she quickly developed a passion for art and debuted her work at the Salon in 1857. Bracquemond’s significant contributions to Impressionism include her innovative use of light, color and distinctive brushwork, which echo the stylistic attributes she admired in works by Claude Monet and Pierre-Auguste Renoir. Her most acclaimed works include “Le R pas” and “Sur la terrasse de S vres” emphasizing her dedication to portraying realistic, daily life scenes and her ability to capture light effects. Despite her marriage to traditional artist F lix Bracquemond, which constrained her art career due to his despise of Impressionist style, Marie Bracquemond managed to leave a lasting impression in the art world.

Marie Bracquemond Artwork

Aspasia

Aspasia

Iris in a vase 1886

Iris in a vase 1886

Landscape in wintertime

Landscape in wintertime
View All Marie Bracquemond Artwork

13. Armand Guillaumin

Armand Guillaumin was a notable French painter and lithographer, often recognized for his substantial contribution to the Impressionism movement during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Born in Paris, France in 1841, Guillaumin started his artistic journey as a road worker but soon moved into the field of art, becoming one of the founding members of the Soci t Anonyme des Artistes, Peintres, Sculpteurs, et Graveurs, an association that played a key role in the establishment of the Impressionism movement. Known for his vivid colors and bold landscape and urban scenes, Guillaumin’s work deeply reflected the Impressionists’ emphasis on capturing the essence of a scene through color and light. His paintings, like “Sunset at Ivry” (1873) and “Agay les Rochers Rouges” (1894), are considered iconic pieces of the Impressionist era.

Armand Guillaumin Artwork

Paysage à Crozant

Paysage à Crozant

Paysage à Crozant

Paysage à Crozant

Landscape of Creuse

Landscape of Creuse

Landscape of Creuse at spring

Landscape of Creuse at spring

Paysage du Midi

Paysage du Midi

Plateau Bromont at Pontgibaud (Puy de Dôme)

Plateau Bromont at Pontgibaud (Puy de Dôme)
View All Armand Guillaumin Artwork

14. Eugene Boudin

Eugene Boudin – Artwork & Bio of the French painter

Eug ne Boudin was a pioneer French landscape painter and marine artist who had significant influence on the development of Impressionism. Born in 1824, Boudin is best known for his seascapes, or “marines,” and outdoor scenes, often painting from nature and capturing the effects of light and atmosphere. His innovative approach to painting, capturing light and the changing patterns of the sky, significantly influenced Claude Monet and other young impressionists. His major contribution to Impressionism involved his use of plein air painting techniques (painting outdoors), combined with his interest in capturing atmospheric effects, such as shifting light and weather conditions. This style, which was later adopted and evolved by the Impressionists, marked a departure from the traditional studio work of his contemporaries.

For more info, see the full Eugene Boudin Biography

Eugene Boudin Artwork

Bordeaux

Bordeaux

Bordeaux, a Cargonne Larmont

Bordeaux, a Cargonne Larmont

Bordeaux, Bacalan, View from the Quay

Bordeaux, Bacalan, View from the Quay

Bordeaux, Boats on the Garonne

Bordeaux, Boats on the Garonne

Bordeaux, the Port

Bordeaux, the Port

Brest, Fishing Boats

Brest, Fishing Boats
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15. William Merritt Chase

William Merritt Chase was a prominent American Impressionist artist of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Known for his versatile work across different mediums and subjects, he played a key role in promoting Impressionism in America. His painting style was heavily inspired by the European Impressionists, particularly the use of loose brushwork and vibrant color palettes to capture the fleeting effects of light and atmosphere. Chase was a prolific landscape artist, often painting scenes of parks and beaches with his characteristic attention to light. His most notable contributions include the establishment of the Chase School of Art, later known as the Parsons School of Design, where he trained a generation of American artists in the Impressionist style, and his leadership roles in several prestigious art organizations furthered the understanding and acceptance of Impressionism art in the USA.

William Merritt Chase Artwork

Children Playing Parlor Croquet (sketch)

Children Playing Parlor Croquet (sketch)

Portrait of the Artist's Sister-in-Law

Portrait of the Artist's Sister-in-Law

Portrait of Virginia Gerson

Portrait of Virginia Gerson

Portrait of Virginia Gerson

Portrait of Virginia Gerson

Portrait of William Charles Le Gendre

Portrait of William Charles Le Gendre

The Coast of Holland

The Coast of Holland
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16. Childe Hassam

Childe Hassam Biography and Artwork

Childe Hassam was an American artist renowned for his contribution to the Impressionist movement. Born in 1859, Hassam started as an illustrator and watercolorist, before turning to oil painting, channeling his fascination for urban and coastal scenes. He is most recognized for his series of over 30 paintings called “The Flag” series, which he created between 1916 and 1919, showcasing his acute sense of light and weather in expansive cityscapes. This portrayal of everyday life in a vibrant, dynamic style had a significant impact on the evolution of American Impressionism. Hassam s inventive use of brushwork, innovative compositions, and saturated color are widely considered as synonymous with the best aspects of the Impressionist movement. He was also a founding member of “The Ten”, a loosely-organized group of artists dissatisfied with professional art organizations, further advancing the acceptance of Impressionism in America.

For more info, see the full Childe Hassam Biography

Childe Hassam Artwork

White Church at Newport (aka Church in a New England Village)

White Church at Newport (aka Church in a New England Village)

White island light (isles of shoals at sundown)

White island light (isles of shoals at sundown)

Wild Swans Sacred to Apollo

Wild Swans Sacred to Apollo

Windmill at Sundown, East Hampton

Windmill at Sundown, East Hampton

Ten Pound Island

Ten Pound Island

The Alhambra (aka Summer Palace of the Caliphs, Granada, Spain)

The Alhambra (aka Summer Palace of the Caliphs, Granada, Spain)
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17. Eva Gonzales

Eva Gonzales was an important French Impressionist artist known for her intuitive use of color and uninhibited brushwork. She was the only pupil of the celebrated Impressionist painter Edouard Manet, and he considerably influenced her work. Known for her genre scenes and portraits, Gonzales’s innovative technique and approach to subject matter align her with the broader trends of the Impressionist movement. Some of her major works include “A Loge at the Theatre des Italiens” and “Enfant de Troupe.” Although her career was cut short by her untimely death at age 34, Gonzales made notable contributions to Impressionism, challenging traditional constraints on women artists and exploring everyday modern life in her paintings.

Eva Gonzales Artwork

The Milliner

The Milliner

The Toilet

The Toilet

The Young Student

The Young Student

White Shoes

White Shoes

Woman Awakening

Woman Awakening

Women in White

Women in White
View All Eva Gonzales Artwork

18. Georges Seurat

Georges Seurat – Biography and Artwork of the French Painter

Georges Seurat was a prominent French painter and the founder of Neo-Impressionism, a movement that emerged as a response to the loose and spontaneous style of Impressionism. Seurat was born in Paris on December 2, 1859 and is best known for his innovative use of drawing media and for devising the painting techniques known as chromoluminarism and pointillism. His large-scale work “A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte” (1884 1886) marked the beginning of this movement and showcased his technique of using tiny, juxtaposed dots of multi-colored paint that the viewer’s eye would blend to create a more vibrant and intense coloration. Though technically not an Impressionist, Seurat shared the Impressionist’s interest in contemporary subject matter and outdoor scenes. His pioneering approach to color theory and meticulous attention to detail influenced many other artists, including the Post-Impressionists.

For more info, see the full Georges Seurat Biography

Georges Seurat Artwork

A River Bank (The Seine at Asnieres)

A River Bank (The Seine at Asnieres)

Artist at work

Artist at work

At work the land: man's face in profile, leaning forward

At work the land: man's face in profile, leaning forward

Bathers at Asnières

Bathers at Asnières

Beach at Gravelines

Beach at Gravelines

Boats near the Beach at Asnieres

Boats near the Beach at Asnieres
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Paul Cezanne

Paul Cezanne – Biography and Artwork of the French Painter

Paul Cézanne is often celebrated as a pivotal figure in the transition from 19th-century Impressionism to the 20th-century’s Cubism, markedly influencing the direction of modern art. Although Cézanne himself was not strictly an Impressionist—his work differed in his deliberate, structured approach as opposed to the fleeting effects of light and color preferred by true Impressionists—his exploration of geometric simplification and optical phenomena bridged the gap between Impressionism and the later developments in abstract art.

For more info, see the full Paul Cezanne Biography

Paul Cezanne Artwork

Study of Bathers

Study of Bathers

Sugar Bowl, Pears and Blue Cup

Sugar Bowl, Pears and Blue Cup

Sugarbowl, Pears and Tablecloth

Sugarbowl, Pears and Tablecloth

Table, Napkin and Fruit

Table, Napkin and Fruit

Tall Trees at the Jas de Bouffan

Tall Trees at the Jas de Bouffan

The Abandoned House

The Abandoned House
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Victor Vignon

Victor Vignon, although lesser-known compared to his contemporaries like Monet or Pissarro, made significant contributions to the Impressionism movement. His work is characterized by a delicate handling of light and shadow, and a distinct preference for rural and suburban landscapes which he depicted with a meticulous attention to the atmospheric variations and textures of the natural world. Vignon’s approach to impressionism was unique in his integration of detailed realism with the characteristic impressionist light and color, which added depth and a sense of enduring presence to his scenes. Despite being overshadowed by more prominent figures, his close collaborations with Camille Pissarro and participation in several of the pivotal Impressionist exhibitions in Paris underscored his role in shaping the movement’s development.

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