New York Journal and Advertiser, Febuary 22, 1899.
Critical Reception of Impressionism
"Wallpaper in its embryonic state is more finished than that seascape!"
~Joseph Vincent, a critic of Impressionism, 1874
New York Journal and Advertiser, Febuary 22, 1899.
The New York Herald, Febuary 13, 1891.
"I am far superior to this and I don't care about the opinion of the press and self-styled art critics, one more stupid than the other."
~Monet wrote to Paul Durand-Rue, art dealer, March 7, 1883
Facing criticism, Impressionist paintings failed to generate revenue. Monet’s paintings “angered” traditional artists and critics. They were biased towards traditional art forms. Artists painted portraits based on precise detail; Impressionism focused on color and light. The large brush strokes lacked intention.
The Artist's Garden at Vétheuil, 1880, Claude Monet.
Claude Monet - Founder of French Impressionist Painting, 2014, Biography.com.
Artist Jack King and Art Historian Margaret Samu analyze the artistic value of Impressionism.
"...I don't want to come to Paris right now, I will only be able to see my failure and see people talking to me about it, some with joy, others regretting it."
~Monet wrote to Paul Durand-Rue, March 7, 1883
Impressionism centered around creative expression. It was a new way to perceive art. Artists like Monet painted outside, capturing their surroundings. The public did not desire this kind of art.
"Merely think, here is a little square of blue, here an oblong of pink, here a streak of yellow, and paint it just as it looks to you, the exact color and shape, until it emerges as your own naive impression of the scene before you."
~Claude Monet, 1913
Header Images: "Impression Sunrise", 1872, Claude Monet; "Water Lillies", 1906, Claude Monet; "Woman with a Parasol - Madame Monet and Her Son", 1875, Claude Monet; "The Cliff Walk at Pourville", 1882, Claude Monet.