Impressionism

Eugène Delacroix, a prominent 19th-century painter, was born in April 1798. He played a significant role in revolutionizing painting during this era and influenced many Impressionist artists.

Eugène Delacroix's most famous work, Liberty Leading the People, was unveiled on July 28, 1830. The painting is a symbol of the July Revolution in France and is currently housed in the Louvre.

Vincent van Gogh, born in 1853, greatly admired Millet's work and emulated his style in his painting La Méridienne. This painting can be viewed at the Musée d'Orsay in room 71.

In 1855, Edgar Degas advocated for The Turkish Bath painting by Ingres to be exhibited at the Paris Exposition Universelle, even before Ingres made final modifications to the artwork. The painting is now part of the Louvre's collection.

In 1857, a significant innovation for the art world occurred with the introduction of paint tubes with screw-on tops in France. This innovation greatly aided the Impressionists in their artistic endeavors.

Around 1860, four young art students - Monet, Sisley, Pierre-Auguste Renoir, and Frédéric Bazille - met while studying under French academic artist Charles Gleyre. They started boarding trains to remote areas to paint outdoors and capture natural scenes.

In 1863, Edouard Manet submits his painting 'Dejuner sur l'Herbe' to the Salon, but it is rejected. An alternative exhibition called the Salon des Refuses is organized for rejected works, receiving a hostile reaction from the public and critics.

In 1864, Monet painted his famous artwork Le Déjeuner Sur l'Herbe as a tribute to Manet.

In 1865, Edouard Manet's painting 'Olympia', depicting a naked reclining prostitute, is surprisingly accepted at the Salon. However, the reaction from the public and critics is hostile, leading Manet to flee to Spain.

In 1866, the Salon jury rejected Claude Monet's painting 'Women in the Garden'. This rejection led Monet to propose the idea of Impressionists exhibiting together, but the plan did not materialize due to financial constraints.

The death of Frédéric Bazille, a fellow artist and friend of the Impressionists, was a tragic event that deeply affected the art community. Bazille's promising career was cut short by his untimely death.

Monet's painting La Grenouillère from 1869 showcases his loose painting style and depicts leisure activities at a popular boating and bathing establishment outside of Paris.

In 1872, Claude Monet creates his iconic painting 'Impression, Sunrise', considered his first masterpiece.

In December 1874, a group of artists including Monet, Renoir, Pissarro, Sisley, Cézanne, Morisot, and Degas establish Société Anonyme Coopérative des Artistes Peintres, Sculpteurs, Graveurs in Paris as a response to the Salon. They invite other artists to join under the condition of not participating in the Salon.

Impressionism, an art movement, originated in Paris in December 1875. Artists aimed to depict the fleeting effects of light on colors and shapes, often painting en plein air. They utilized vibrant hues and thick brushstrokes to portray scenes of daily life in Paris.

The Second Impressionist Exhibition took place at the Durand-Ruel Gallery, showcasing works from twenty painters with a total of two hundred fifty pieces. Gustave Caillebotte's painting 'The Floor Planers' received high praise during the event.

Monet showcases his paintings Garden at St. Adresse and Rue Montogrueil at the Fourth Impressionist Exhibition in 1878, where notable artists like Cezanne, Renoir, Morisot, and Sisley are absent but new talent Paul Gauguin is featured.

Camille Monet, Monet's first wife, passed away at the age of 32, leaving Monet with two children to care for. Her death added to Monet's financial struggles during a challenging period.

The fifth Impressionist Exhibition was held where Monet chose not to participate. His work, Sunset on the Seine at Lavacourt, was accepted at the Salon but placed in a less visible location. Renoir, Sisley, and Cezanne also decided not to participate.

The Sixth Impressionist Exhibition, primarily led by Degas due to other artists stepping down, showcased works of thirteen artists including Degas' iconic sculpture 'Petite Danseuse de 14 Ans' which is now housed in room 31 at d'Orsay.

In 1882, Manet's painting The Bar at the Folies Bergère is included in the Salon but receives poor reviews. This painting marks the artist's last major work.

In 1883, Edouard Manet passed away after suffering from the long-term side effects of syphilis, which led to the amputation of his left foot. He was buried in Passy Cemetery.

Impressionism, despite its fleeting nature, had a lasting impact on the art world. Its embrace of modernity paved the way for future avant-garde art movements in Europe, solidifying its significance in art history.

The eighth and final exhibition of Impressionist works takes place, with notable artists like Monet, Renoir, and Sisley not participating. Pissarro showcases his first 'pointilliste' work and advocates for the inclusion of works by Paul Signac and Seurat.

By 1890, Claude Monet had become prosperous enough to purchase the house, buildings, and land at Giverny where he had been living and painting. This marked a significant milestone in his career and personal life.

In May 1891, art dealer Paul Durand-Ruel exhibits 15 versions of Monet's Haystacks, which quickly sell out within three days, demonstrating the growing demand and appreciation for Monet's iconic series.

Gustave Caillebotte, an independently wealthy individual, amassed a vast collection of Impressionist art by purchasing paintings from his friends. Upon his death at the age of 45, his impressive collection was left to the French state, contributing significantly to the art world.

In 1896, Monet begins painting water lilies, a subject that would captivate him for many years to come.

When Auguste Rodin presented his statue of Balzac at the Salon, it faced harsh criticism from the critics, leading to a scandal. Despite the negative reception, Rodin's fellow artists such as Paul Cezanne, Toulouse-Lautrec, and Claude Monet supported him by signing a petition in solidarity.

Art dealer Vollard holds another successful exhibition of Cezanne's work, with several paintings fetching significant prices.

Claude Monet embarked on his iconic Water Lilies series, consisting of 250 paintings that captured the beauty of his pond and gardens at Giverny. This series became the focal point of Monet's artistic endeavors for the last quarter century of his life, now displayed at the Musée de l'Orangerie.

Claude Monet painted CHARING CROSS BRIDGE in 1903. The painting was sold for $27.6 million in 2019.

Cezanne passes away on 22 October after catching pneumonia during a storm while painting.

An exhibition of 48 of Monet's Water Lilies is held in Paris, with fantastic sales and critical acclaim.

In 1912, American collector Louisine Havermeyer purchased Degas' Dancers at the Barre for a record price of 478,500 francs, nearly doubling the previous record for a work by a living artist.

In 1922, Monet reached an agreement with French Prime Minister Georges Clemenceau for the donation of his water lilies to the state upon his death, leading to the establishment of the Musée de l'Orangerie in Paris.

Claude Monet, the renowned French painter and a leading figure in the Impressionist art movement, passed away.

The Musee d'Orsay opens its doors in 1986, housed in a grand converted railway station, focusing on French art between 1848 and 1914. It holds the most extensive collection of Impressionist works in the world.

A sale event showcasing artworks from the Impressionist and Modern Art genres, taking place in New York on May 15, 2019.

An auction event featuring various artworks from the Impressionist and Modern Art movements, held in New York on November 12, 2019.

The Musee d'Orsay in Paris opens an exhibition in March 2024 to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the First Impressionist Exhibition. The exhibition features over 130 works from 31 artists, including famous impressionists like Monet, Cezanne, Renoir, and Degas, juxtaposed with works from the official Paris Salon to showcase the contrast in painting styles.