what is impressionism in art

Impressionism was an art movement that emerged in France during the mid-to- late 19th century. It is characterized by small, visible brushstrokes, unblended colors, and an emphasis on the accurate depiction of natural light. The Impressionist artists sought to break away from the strict rules of academic-style painting and capture the fleeting effects of light and color in their work. The movement's name was derived from a critic's derogatory description of Claude Monet's painting "Impression, Sunrise." Some of the key Impressionist artists include Claude Monet, Camille Pissarro, Berthe Morisot, and Edgar Degas. The movement had a significant influence on the development of modern art and inspired various painting styles, including Post- Impressionism, Fauvism, and Cubism