When the first Impressionist art exhibition threw open its doors in Paris, France on April 15, 1874, it marked the dawn of an artistic revolution. The movement, pioneered by Claude Monet, would go on to reshape not only the French art world but eventually the creative landscapes of other European countries and the United States throughout the 19th century. It all traces back to a single canvas by Monet—"Impression, Sunrise" in English—widely regarded as the very first work in this groundbreaking style.
So why did Impressionism catch fire so quickly? Part of the answer lies in how dramatically it departed from realism, which dominated the artistic sensibilities of the era. The movement also benefited from a wave of art exhibitions organized around specific movements, a practice that became commonplace throughout the 1870s and 1880s. That landmark first exhibition naturally showcased Monet's work, but it also spotlighted a remarkable roster of fellow Impressionists: Edgar Degas, Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Berthe Morisot, Camille Pissarro, Alfred Sisley, Eugène Boudin, and more.
Eventually, Impressionism made its way across the Atlantic, where American artists embraced it with enthusiasm—especially those drawn to Plein air, or open-air, painting. The style remains instantly recognizable to this day, celebrated for prioritizing vivid color and expressive brushstroke technique over meticulous shading and linework. Gardens, natural landscapes, and scenes bathed in the glow of sunrise or sunset continue to be the subjects Impressionist practitioners gravitate toward most; such imagery perfectly complements both the movement's inherent subjectivity and its unmistakable beauty.