Word
impressionism
Meanings
a style and movement in art, especially painting, that emphasizes the effects of light and color and a quick, momentary view of a scene
artworks created in the Impressionist style, often showing everyday scenes with loose brushwork and shifting light
Definition
Impressionism is a style of art that captures a momentary impression of light and color rather than precise detail.
Impressionism is an art movement that began in late 19th-century France, especially in painting. It focuses on everyday scenes and the changing effects of light, often using visible brushstrokes and bright, unblended colors. Instead of sharp outlines, it aims to convey the overall feeling of a scene as it is perceived in a particular moment.
Examples
- I used impressionism as a reference point to explain why the painting prioritizes atmosphere over exact detail.
- You can see impressionism in the way the scene is built from small strokes of color that suggest movement and light.
- He first understood impressionism when he compared a sunlit landscape study with a highly polished academic portrait.
- She wrote a seminar paper arguing that impressionism changed how modern viewers read everyday urban life.
- They curated an exhibition that placed impressionism beside photography to highlight their shared interest in fleeting moments.
Common mistake
Learners sometimes misspell it as "impressionismus" or "impressionizm" instead of the correct "impressionism."
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