Impression, Sunrise by Claude Monet
Paris
c. 1872
For this blog post, I have decided to compare Impressionist and Post-Impressionism art. The first impressionist piece I have chosen is Claude Monet's Impression, Sunrise. The impressionist movement was characterized by small, thin and visible brush strokes, open composition, a strong emphasis on accurately depicting light and its changing qualities, ordinary subject matter, the inclusion of movement, and unusual angles. With this piece in particular, the three elements that I will be taking a closer look at include lines, texture, and tone. Because impressionist artists of this era focused more on ordinary subject matter, the tone of colors used in this piece aren't as vibrant of colors as you would see in previous eras the colors used to depict this foggy landscape mimic the cooler tones one would experience out in the shipyard. Another important factor in impressionist art is the incorporation of movement in the pieces, this is done by the use of lines and brushstrokes in this piece. In addition to heavier brushstrokes indicating waves, the lines connecting the three smaller rafts and the angle at which the piece is drawn from all helps to create the sensation of movement in the piece, giving it an even more realistic feel.
The Fighting Temeraire by J.M.W. Turner
London
c. 1839
My second impressionist piece is The Fighting Temeraire. Much like Impression, Sunrise, this piece stays true to the impressionist movement by its use of light brush strokes and realistic subject matter. The lines and angle of this piece serve to capture that classic sensation of movement that is present in many impressionist paintings. Having the drawing all converge onto one spot on the canvas and the angle at which the shadows are elongated at, gives the sensation of not only a moving galley but of a setting sun. The colors used in this painting don't exaggerate the setting, it stays true to nature and helps to make the viewer feel like this is directly from their own point of view.
The Large Plane Trees by Vincent van Gogh
Netherlands
c. 1889
The first Post-Impressionism piece I chose was The Large Plane Trees by Vincent van Gogh. While the various post-impressionism artist were not all in agreement concerning a cohesive movement, post-impressionist work extended impressionism while rejecting its limitations. They still used real-life subject matter, opted to create art outdoors instead of a studio, used vivid colors and often thick application of paint, but they were also much more inclined to distort form, emphasize geometric forms, and didn't shy from the use of unnatural color. The linework of the trees is incredibly pronounced in this piece. It serves as a perfect way demonstrate the thick application of paint and the post-impressionism emphasis on distorted forms. The use of vivid colors is in stark contrast to the impressionist use of more muted and realistic colors of the impressionist era.
Where Do We Come From? What Are We? Where Are We Going? by Paul Gauguin
Tihiti
c. 1898
Gauguin art perfectly exemplifies some of the stark differences between the two eras of art. Here we see Gauguin depicting a relatively normal scene of people gathering. The post-impressionist can be seen in the somewhat bizarre (when compared to impressionist art) lines that make up the human outlines, the defined oil on canvas (leaving behind the light brush strokes), and the unnatural geometric shape of the trees and shrubbery in the background. This piece gives the viewer a sense of mysticism and self reflection.
Impressionists where more focused with capturing nature and scenes in a more realistic way. They were focused on making sure the piece felt realistic and natural. They accomplished this through their linework, choice in tone and colors, manipulation of light and shadows, and by making many of the pieces feel like they were moving. Post-impressionism strove to recapture some of the mysticism of art, they created works that, while still influenced by natural scenes, still had an wisp of abstract and a seemed lightly unusual. Of the two, I prefer post-impressionism. I feel like it captures the natural beauty of life while still adding that hint of creativity that I believe makes art so incredible. I like impressionism and am astounded by the skill of the artists of the time, but they feel somehow less when compared to post-impressionist art.
Works Cited
Anonymous. (2020, November 04). The large plane TREES (road menders at Saint-Rémy). Retrieved March 23, 2021, from https://www.clevelandart.org/art/1947.209
Guild, U., Shovava, Day, T., Comma, & Colorsheets, V. (2020, September 08). How this one Painting sparked the Impressionist movement. Retrieved March 23, 2021, from https://mymodernmet.com/claude-monet-impression-sunrise/
Turner, J. (1970, January 01). The fighting temeraire. Retrieved March 23, 2021, from https://www.nationalgallery.org.uk/paintings/joseph-mallord-william-turner-the-fighting-temeraire
Where do we come from? What are we? Where are we going? (2021, March 09). Retrieved March 23, 2021, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Where_Do_We_Come_From%3F_What_Are_We%3F_Where_Are_We_Going%3F
Thank you for sharing all of these pieces! I really enjoyed "The Large Plane Trees" by Vincent Van Gogh. I am a big fan of the composition, in particular. I think it was a really interesting choice to make the trees so bold, centered, and important within the painting. I also really liked your point about the ways that post impressionism extended certain qualities of impressionism, but chose to go further with the ideas. I think one of my favorite things about this painting is the yellow tops of the trees (and the color scheme as a whole). It is very unique!
ReplyDeleteHi Daniel, really nice post- your thoughts were written very well! I feel like you took a harder approach at this assignment because there are many similarities between Impressionism and Post-Impressionism. However, you really did do a great job analyzing each piece and explaining how each styles differ from one another. I'm a huge fan of Monet and love that you decided to share "Sunrise." It is simply a beautiful and calming painting and I think it has a lot to do with the sober colors used. Like you said, the colors in "Sunrise" don't exaggerate the setting at all; it is very natural and is how we would see the view with our own eyes. Awesome post!
ReplyDeleteI appreciate your comparison of impressionist and post impressionist art. I love how in the post impressionist piece The Large Plane Trees by Vincent van Gogh uses thick black lines to outline the trees. I also enjoyed how Van Gogh uses shapes to make the picture a bit abstract with hints of normalcy like that of the people walking. You can tell the abstract intent by how Van Gogh was more "inclined to emphasize geometric forms, distort forms for an expressive effect and use unnatural and seemingly random colors"(Unknown). Based on the art pieces you have provided, I find it hard to make a choice between post impressionist and impressionist. I love the delicacy and this serene feel of Impression, Sunrise by Claude Monet. I also like the van Gogh painting. I would choose in this battle the impressionist, just because I feel the works are more realistic and the color choices are beautifully put together. In the impressionist paintings there are no harshly drawn lines and you are able to feel more emotion than in the post impressionist paintings.
ReplyDeletereferences:https://artsandculture.google.com/theme/what-is-post-impressionist-art/6wJCUtbq8PnjIA?hl=en
I really love the paintings you used in your post, and how detailed everything was. I found this very informative, as I tend to somewhat struggle with understanding their differences in characteristics, and always thought that they were basically the same just in different years. I also really like how your explanations go into depth about each painting's analysis, describes how they reflection of either impressionism or post-impression, and what specific elements create the scene. You know, I can't believe you were able to choose your preference as I would struggle to decide between the two! I am quite indecisive, and can never decide between the two. Great Post!
ReplyDeleteHey Daniel, I agree with your motion present with impression paintings. I like the attention to detail in Sunrise, like how the waves are skewing the reflection of the sun. I also enjoyed The Large Plane Trees. The environment looks crisp and defined. When observing the people, they are faceless, which makes me feel a little uneasy. I also agree that the line-work on the trees is impeccable. The trees add surrealism because of their wild shapes.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your post.