The epitomes of Impressionism paintings

   Before Impressionism became pervasive in the late early 20th century, artists chiefly focused on depicting subjects in third person objectively. Without interpretation or illusions, realistic paintings were largely rendered obsolete because of the rise of photography. The artists' response was to create a style that depicted the world around them with creative license, one not constrained by the necessity of realism; this style was dubbed 'Impressionism'. It was developed chiefly in France during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Impressionists focused on small brush strokes, accurate depiction of light and ordinary matters. Artists no longer sealed themselves in their studio; instead, they took excursions beyond their own four walls to capture simple and elegant images that were based on their own interpretation of the real world. 

Manet, "A Bar at the Folies Bergere, "1882
http://www.agora.crosemont.qc.ca/dphilo/intradoc/phi102/images102/bar.jpg

   Edouard Manet was one of the first artists to approach modern-life subjects through the lens of Impressionism.

"A Bar at the Folies Bergere" is one of his celebrated masterworks. The flickering lights in the background were a perfect example of the Impressionist technique of playing with light and color in motion.

   The barmaid Suzon’s alienation is shown by the way she distances herself from her surroundings. Her nonchalant aloofness strongly contrasts with the blusterous and lively background reflected in the mirror.  

   The scene is nothing grandiose or epic; rather, we are given a very pedestrian situation. However, I just can’t take my eyes off it. I've seen various interpretation of this painting. Some people think that Suzon is a prostitute who is unwilling to take clients, including the man in the painting. As for me, I just feel like sitting at the bar waiting for her to pour me a drink. 

Paul Gauguin, "The Cellist," 1894
http://c300221.r21.cf1.rackcdn.com/paul-gauguin-gallery-oil-painting-reproductions-1338590814_b.jpg

   As the Impressionist movement reached its end, another group of artists, the Post-Impressionists, took on their own artistic styles and injected more emotional context into their works. 

   Paul Gauguin was one of the avant-garde Post-Impressionists artist who was recognized for his use of bold colors and synthesist style, separating him from the Impressionists. 

   In 1894, Paul Gauguin did a portrait, "The Cellist", who was thought to be Upaupa Sckneklud. Some people confused Upaupa with Paul Gauguin because the appearance is so similar; however, Paul Gauguin was no where close to be a cellist and . 

   This portrait captures the intensity of a cellist during performance. The abstract background in this painting clearly indicates this is a work of a Post-Impressionist, as extremely detailed elements and realism take a back to seat to the stylistic tendencies of the artist. Gauguin used the theory of Synesthesia by attempting to convey the idea of music through visual art. As for me, Gauguin succeeded in doing so because the back ground reminds me of flowing notes and I can almost hear Elgar's Cello Concerto in E Minor, Op.85 by simply looking at this painting. 

   What interested me the most was the deliberately cropped hands, arms and foreground in this painting, which reminded me of the paintings of Edgar Degas. As you can see, in the painting below, "Courtauld 03 Edgar Degas-Two Dancers on a stage," one of the ballerinas' hand was intentionally cropped off the painting as well. 

   In the next weekly post, I will be focusing mainly on Edgar Degas’ works and where his inspirations came from. 

Courtauld 03 Edgar Degas -Two Dancers on a Stage

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf2knki4gymHKY3HGkpWKvzs1ygEtaUAsl5hvmORDQyeeGPQNXY1AgMm1j4yrBvyCAtZVivvVveABYoYujOoMNtZssC4unpP4ryeSlJ-GElYM3NBcNP1ZQDy2snuP0UbhdoHZx-hAt8KAd/s1600/onstage.jpg