Industrial Revolution

Definition

The Industrial Revolution was a transformative period, primarily in the late 18th and early 19th centuries, marked by the shift from agrarian economies to industrialized and urban ones. This change not only impacted production and technology but also influenced social structures and cultural expressions, including art movements like Impressionism and Post-Impressionism.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Industrial Revolution began in Great Britain in the late 1700s and spread to other parts of Europe and North America, significantly changing economic systems.
2. Artists like Claude Monet and Édouard Manet captured the rapid changes in society through their works, often depicting urban life and the effects of industrialization.
3. Impasto techniques, where paint is applied thickly to canvas, became popular during this time as artists sought to express movement and light in their rapidly changing environments.
4. The Salon des Refusés was established in response to traditional art exhibitions rejecting the new styles of painting that emerged during the Industrial Revolution, showcasing the tension between old and new artistic expressions.
5. As industrial cities grew, artists such as Paul Gauguin and Georges Seurat explored new themes in their work that reflected the complex social dynamics of urban life.

Review Questions

• How did the Industrial Revolution influence the themes portrayed in the artworks of Monet and Manet?
  • The Industrial Revolution brought about significant changes in society, which artists like Claude Monet and Édouard Manet reflected in their works. Monet often focused on capturing the fleeting effects of light and movement in urban settings, showcasing modernity through scenes like bustling train stations or gardens transformed by industrial progress. Manet challenged traditional subject matter by painting contemporary life, such as café scenes or urban leisure activities, highlighting how industrialization changed social interactions.
• Discuss how impasto technique was utilized by Impressionist artists as a response to the changing industrial landscape.
  • Impressionist artists adopted impasto technique as a way to visually represent the vibrancy and dynamism of an industrialized world. By applying paint thickly onto canvases, they created textures that captured light's reflection and movement more effectively. This technique helped convey the sensations of modern life—like bustling city streets or lively landscapes—reflecting the excitement and chaos brought on by urbanization during the Industrial Revolution.
• Evaluate the impact of the Salon des Refusés on the acceptance of new artistic movements that emerged from the changes brought by the Industrial Revolution.
  • The Salon des Refusés played a crucial role in legitimizing new artistic movements that arose during and after the Industrial Revolution. Established to showcase works rejected by traditional salons, it provided a platform for Impressionist artists who challenged established norms with their innovative approaches. This acceptance marked a shift in the art world, recognizing that industrialization had not only transformed society but also required fresh perspectives in artistic expression, ultimately leading to a broader embrace of modern art.

Related terms

Urbanization: The process of population migration from rural areas to cities, which significantly increased during the Industrial Revolution as people sought jobs in factories.

Technological Innovation: The introduction of new technologies that revolutionized production methods, such as the steam engine and textile machinery, contributing to faster and cheaper manufacturing.

Social Change: The alterations in societal structures and norms that arose during the Industrial Revolution, affecting labor conditions, family dynamics, and artistic expression.