
Impressionism
Impressionism is a style of painting that helped redirect art toward personal expression and artistic process. The movement originated in and around Paris in the late 19th century. Impressionists had stylistic differences, but they shared an interest in accurately capturing modern life and the fleeting effects of light and color.
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Video: Impressionist Art Screensaver
Transform your screen into a painting with art from our 2024 exhibition, Paris 1874: The Impressionist Moment.

Video: How Impressionism Began with Cassatt, Degas, Monet, Morisot, and the Société Anonyme
Dive into the world of Paris in 1874 and discover how a movement that was reviled at the time changed the landscape of art forever.

Article: 1874: The Birth of Impressionism
Discover how a landmark exhibition led to the birth of an influential movement.

Video: D.I.Y. Art: Tie Dye Inspired by Claude Monet
Take a moment to “chill” with Claude Monet and this step-by-step D.I.Y. guide to tie dyeing like a pro.

Article: What Is Impressionism? 4 Things to Know
Learn the hallmarks of one of the most recognizable art movements in the world.

Video: Renoir's Paintings Come to Life for the Holidays
Watch as Auguste Renoir's paintings, Girl with a Hoop and The Dancer, come to life before your eyes!

Article: Edgar Degas Only Made One “Little Dancer.” And It’s Ours.
How our conservators have cared for the fragile wax sculpture, preserving it decades longer than anyone thought possible.

Article: Edgar Degas's Experiments in Pastel and Watercolor
A conservator examines how the impressionist made a curious drawing.

Video: D.I.Y. Art: Paper Flowers Inspired by Berthe Morisot
Watch and learn how to make paper flowers inspired by Berthe Morisot's 1869 work, Peonies.

Video: Is Andō Hiroshige the Secret Behind Vincent Van Gogh’s “Farmhouse in Provence”?
Inspired by prints such as Andō Hiroshige’s Cherry Blossoms in Full Bloom Along the Sumida River, Vincent van Gogh created his 1888 Farmhouse in Provence.

Article: Mary Cassatt Brings Girls and Women into the Museum
Author and art historian Katy Hessel on the impressionist's iconic painting.

Video: Is Jean-Michel Basquiat the Tupac Shakur of the Art World?
The National Gallery’s own Haywood Turnipseed and Sherri Williams answer your most asked questions in our first episode of Ask the National Gallery Anything.
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Painting
Since ancient times, artists have made paintings to tell stories or capture beauty. They’ve used egg tempera, oil, and more recently acrylic to create compositions of all shapes and sizes. The results include radiant altarpieces, striking portraits, luminous landscapes, and abstract expressions.

Weather
From the serenity of a snowy scene to the gloom of a rainy day, artists capture the emotional effects of weather.