🎨American Art – 1865 to 1968 Unit 2 – American Impressionism: Cosmopolitan Spirit

Key Artists and Their Works

• Mary Cassatt known for her intimate portraits of women and children (The Child's Bath, 1893)
• John Singer Sargent renowned for his elegant society portraits (Madame X, 1884) and plein air landscapes
  • Also painted murals for the Boston Public Library (1890-1919) depicting mythological and religious scenes
• William Merritt Chase influential teacher and painter of landscapes, portraits, and still lifes (Shinnecock Hills, 1891)
• Childe Hassam celebrated for his vibrant cityscapes and flag series (Allies Day, May 1917, 1917)
• Theodore Robinson studied in France and brought Impressionist techniques to American landscapes (Valley of the Seine, 1892)
• J. Alden Weir blended Impressionism with Tonalism in his paintings of rural Connecticut (The Red Bridge, 1895)
• Edmund C. Tarbell known for his serene interiors and portraits of elegant women (Girl Reading, 1909)

Historical Context and Influences

• American Impressionism emerged in the late 19th century as artists returned from studying in Europe
• Influenced by French Impressionists like Claude Monet and Pierre-Auguste Renoir who emphasized capturing fleeting moments of light and color
• Rapid industrialization and urbanization in America created a desire for art that celebrated the beauty of everyday life
• Rise of the middle class and increased leisure time led to a growing art market and patronage
• Advancements in transportation (railroads) and technology (portable paint tubes) allowed artists to travel and paint outdoors more easily
• Growth of art colonies like Cos Cob and Old Lyme in Connecticut provided supportive communities for American Impressionists
• Exposure to Japanese art and aesthetics (Japonisme) through trade and exhibitions influenced composition and design

Characteristics of American Impressionism

• Emphasis on capturing the effects of light and atmosphere on a subject
• Use of bright, pure colors applied in short, broken brushstrokes
• Focus on modern, everyday subjects like landscapes, cityscapes, and domestic scenes
• Plein air painting (painting outdoors) to directly observe and record changing light and weather conditions
  • Artists often worked quickly to capture fleeting moments before the light shifted
• Loose, sketchy brushwork that conveyed a sense of spontaneity and immediacy
• Departure from strict academic conventions of finished, highly polished paintings
• Incorporation of elements from other artistic movements like Realism and Tonalism

Techniques and Style

• Impressionists used broken color applying small dabs of pure, unmixed colors side by side
  • Colors blended optically when viewed from a distance creating a shimmering, vibrant effect
• Wet-on-wet technique allowed artists to blend colors directly on the canvas for softer, more atmospheric effects
• Impasto thick application of paint created textural effects and captured the play of light on surfaces
• Use of complementary colors (colors opposite each other on the color wheel like blue and orange) to create contrast and vibrancy
• High-keyed palette emphasized light, bright colors rather than dark, somber tones
• Loose, open brushwork with visible strokes conveyed energy and movement
• Asymmetrical, cropped compositions influenced by photography and Japanese prints created more dynamic, modern designs

Major Themes and Subjects

• Landscapes were a primary focus with artists capturing the changing seasons, weather, and times of day
  • Coastal scenes, gardens, parks, and rural villages were popular subjects
• Cityscapes depicted the energy and vitality of modern urban life (bustling streets, public parks, theaters)
• Domestic interiors and scenes of everyday life showed the quiet moments and simple pleasures of middle-class existence
• Portraits captured the personalities and fashions of the era ranging from formal commissions to casual likenesses of friends and family
• Still lifes celebrated the beauty of everyday objects like flowers, fruit, and household items
• Leisure activities like boating, picnicking, and attending the theater reflected the increasing prosperity and free time of the middle class
• American Impressionists often imbued their paintings with a sense of optimism, elegance, and charm

Comparison with European Impressionism

• American Impressionism developed slightly later than its European counterpart and was more conservative in style
• American artists were more likely to blend Impressionist techniques with academic traditions and other influences like Realism and Tonalism
  • This resulted in a uniquely American style that was less radical than pure French Impressionism
• American Impressionists often depicted distinctly American subjects (New England villages, Northeastern coastal scenes) reflecting national identity and pride
• French Impressionism was more experimental and avant-garde pushing the boundaries of artistic convention further
• American Impressionism was more readily accepted by the public and critics as it aligned with prevailing tastes and values
• Many American Impressionists had successful careers as portrait painters and teachers unlike their European counterparts who struggled for recognition
• American Impressionism continued to evolve and influence American art well into the 20th century while European Impressionism was largely supplanted by Post-Impressionism and Modernism

Impact on American Art Scene

• American Impressionism helped to establish a distinctly American artistic identity separate from European traditions
• Popularized plein air painting and the use of bright, pure colors which became hallmarks of American art
• Contributed to the growth of art colonies and associations like the Ten American Painters which provided support and exhibition opportunities for artists
• Influenced the next generation of American artists including Modernists like John Sloan and Maurice Prendergast
  • Many Modernists began their careers working in an Impressionist style before developing more abstract and experimental approaches
• Helped to create a thriving art market and a growing middle-class collector base for American art
• Laid the groundwork for the acceptance of more avant-garde styles in the early 20th century by challenging academic conventions and hierarchy of subjects
• Impressionist-influenced styles like Ashcan School Realism and California Plein Air painting continued to be popular into the mid-20th century

Legacy and Contemporary Relevance

• American Impressionism is celebrated as a pivotal moment in the development of a national artistic identity
• Major museums like the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the National Gallery of Art have significant collections of American Impressionist works
• Continues to be popular with collectors and the public with major exhibitions and scholarly publications devoted to the movement
• Plein air painting and Impressionist-influenced styles remain popular among contemporary representational artists
  • Organizations like the Plein Air Painters of America and the California Art Club continue the tradition of painting outdoors
• Impressionist works are highly valued in the art market with paintings by major figures like Sargent and Cassatt selling for tens of millions of dollars
• Provides insight into American society and culture at the turn of the 20th century documenting the fashions, pastimes, and aspirations of the era
• Represents a period of optimism, prosperity, and cultural confidence in American history that continues to resonate with audiences today