Blog Post #4: Why is impressionism important in (art) history?

Hi there! In today’s post, I will be continuing the topic of art history and its relationship with the impressionist era! 

Specifically, I will be talking about some of the most important Art pieces and their significance, both to the artists, and those viewing them (the public), as well as their importance within history!

Starting with Georges Seurat, A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte, 1884-1886. 

Georges Seurat creates this piece depicting a working-class scene, with the population of Paris during La Belle Epoque. This painting’s significance lies in the subjects being painted. Many of the impressionists found their subject’s scenarios, scenes, sunsets, nature, etc. The creation of this painting shed light on the working class as well as the post-impressionism which represents this era of people. (1). This is politically significant as art is a topic many regards as a privilege of the wealthy and rich, only a factor for those who can afford to care about art and its entertainment.(2) 

As mentioned in the last post, the impressionist era was created by a group of artists who wanted to create a new depth in the art world, however, their disbandment created a movement of the same size, the post-impressionists. Those artists, were Pablo Picasso, Vincent Van Gogh, and Paul Cezzane. (3) The post-impressionism was a breath of fresh air for many who felt bound by its restraints. Interestingly enough, as many of the critics of impressionism was the freedom and its unconventionally in comparison to the traditional art of that time. With the disbandment of the impressionist, the post-movement did things almost exactly the opposite.

Post-impressionism was still very much inspired by impressionism and an extension of it in the visual aspect, however politically, the artists grew its boundaries. They rejected the limitations which impressionism liked to signify. For example, the fact that impressionists can only paint things they see, they are only limited to the visuals they can see and touch (4). The post-impressionist era created a way for artists to imagine things they never had, and execute 

The styles of the Impressionists. The most famous example of this is the Guernica.  

Moreover, arguably the most political painting of all time was a product of post-impressionism, which inspired impressionism. That is the Guernica, by Pablo Picasso. Although Picasso’s style and movement of art are distinguished to be part of many due to his extremist style in art. He was known to paint in an abstract style of cubism during his prime era of painting. The result of which was Guernica (1937), a depiction created during the surrealist period which was to exemplify the devastation of the bombing of the town of Guernica during the Spanish Civil War. The painting itself was a political statement against fascism and totalitarianism! an example of how politics will always in some way relate to art and vice versa. (6) 

Thank you so much for reading!

Have a nice day,

Sanam M.

1. Halle, H. (2022, July 15). The most famous paintings in art history of all time-ranked. Time Out New York. https://www.timeout.com/newyork/art/top-famous-paintings-in-art-history-ranked 

2. 15 influential political art pieces | Widewalls. (n.d.). https://www.widewalls.ch/magazine/political-art/we-dont-need-another-hero 

3. Voorhies, J. (1AD, January 1). Post-impressionism: Essay: The Metropolitan Museum of Art: Heilbrunn timeline of art history. The Met’s Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History. https://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/poim/hd_poim.htm 

4. Published by chakrabortysubrata              View all posts by chakrabortysubrata, chakrabortysubrata, P. by, Chakrabortysubrata, & chakrabortysubrata, V. all posts by. (2018, August 9). Limitations of impressionism. subratachak. https://subratachak.wordpress.com/2018/08/07/limitations-of-impressionism/#:~:text=Remember%2C%20Impressionists%20can%20only%20paint,that%20are%20not%20merely%20material. 

5. Libguides: Political Voice and social commentary – year 11 visual arts: Picasso. Picasso – Political Voice and Social Commentary – Year 11 Visual Arts – LibGuides at St Joseph’s Regional College. (n.d.). https://pmreglism.libguides.com/c.php?g=636183&p=4454788#:~:text=Probably%20Picasso%27s%20most%20famous%20work,Guernica%20during%20Spanish%20Civil%20War. 

6. Guernica, a political icon. RMN – Grand Palais. (2023, May 2). https://www.grandpalais.fr/en/article/guernica-political-icon-0#:~:text=It%20was%20first%20exhibited%20in,fascism%2C%20totalitarianism%20and%20armed%20conflict.