The sun is the central point of this composition, easily distinguishable by its warm colours. To drive his point home, he even called it “The Impressionists’ Exhibition”. I was also thinking, since I’m impressed, there must be some impression in there.” “What does this painting represent? Impression! Impression, I knew it. The art critic, Louis Leroy mocked this new venture in an article published that same year when he said… In the catalog the title read, Impression.Ĭritics often belittle an artist’s work with a simple adjective and then the artist re-purposes the derogatory term to describe their work, giving it a new connotation. Monet had originally named this painting View of Le Havre but when he chose to exhibit it in April 1874 for the Anonymous Society of artists, painters and sculptors, he changed the title. Impression, Sunrise, 1872, oil on canvas, by Claude Monet (Public domain) And yet, Impressionism will go down in history as the most illustrious art movement that influenced generations of artists to come. The choice of themes, visible brushstrokes and the relaxed representation of figures shocked the public at the time. He and his friends, Sisley, Pissarro and Renoir, among others are responsible for the conception of this anti-academic movement that started in the 1870’s. A Lasting ImpressionĬlaude Monet (1840-1926) was one of the founders of the Impressionist movement. So, without further ado, let’s dive right into it at the port of Le Havre. Impression, Sunrise is undoubtedly Claude Monet’s most famous creation but it is also the work to know from the Impressionist movement because it’s the namesake! Completed in 1873, it serves as a place holder in the history of art and set the stage for thousands of works to come.

Impression sunrise by claude monet