Modernity in Art
In the thematic essay, Impressionism: Art and Modernity, the Impressionism movement is explained as a key part to what art and modernity were like in the late 1800's and further on.
"Impressionism was a movement of enduring consequence, as its embrace of modernity made it the springboard for later avant-garde art in Europe" (Helbrunn Timeline of Art History).
Impressionists included such skilled artists like Claude Monet and Edgar Degas. Impressionists were applauded for their on point depiction of modern life. In the 1876 essay entitled La Nouvelle Peinture (The New Painting), Edmont Duranty "wrote of their depiction of contemporary subject matter in a suitably innovative style as a revolution in painting"(Helbrunn Timeline of Art History). Impressionists are known today for their leering away from traditional artistic viewpoints and their inclusion of how modern life is, as well as advances in technology.
Claude Monet's work is discussed in depth in this article and to why it is considered true modern art. His painting is filled with barely thorough brush strokes, showing forms of incomplete nature, as well as aspects of light that hadn't been introduced in art before. Images of outdoor Parisian life were a main focus in many Impressionist's works, like Monet and Renoir. Some others including Picasso painted more of daily life of people living in villages outside of metropolitan cities. Another artist: Claude Monet, painted more of landscape and the modernization of landscapes he experienced and viewed.
Paris was the main place for modernity in the late 1800's, as well as after that. The city was renovated and artistically changed towards the goal of making it a cleaner and safer city. This was done under the leadership of Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte III. Parks, gardens, restaurants and other places of interest for people living in the city were built. These places were painted and artistically imitated by Impressionists. Some Impressionists like Mary Cassatt and Degas also painted inhabitants of the city and tried to portray them through art.
Samu, Margaret. "Impressionism: Art and Modernity/Thematic Essay: Helbrunn Timeline of Art History." 29 Oct 2008 <http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/imml/hd_imml.htm>.
