This blog is written by RSG volunteer Andie DeLuca. We thank her for a fascinating insight into the Gallery’s collection and hope that you enjoy reading it as much as the team here did!
Don’t you love Impressionist art? I certainly do! On searching for ideas to fit this blog’s theme, I was reminded of a few facts I first learned in Art History class:
Is everyone is familiar with the story that the style of painting called “Impressionism” was named when a critic named Louis Leroy viewed the Claude Monet image seen here?
I’d forgotten that. I was also reminded that “Since its conception, Impressionism has been defined by a set of characteristics. These include: painterly brushwork, distinctive colors, depictions of common subject matter, a focus on light, and compositions inspired by photography.” (https://mymodernmet.com) Photography not only inspired composition, it presented a challenge to artists to match its spontaneity. The invention of the camera allowed instantaneous images to be made, often out of doors. Painters found it very hard to leave their studios, go out of doors (en plein air), or to catch images of immediate moments.
However, in 1841 an American portrait painter named John G. Rand invented the tin paint tube. Previously, if an artist wanted to get out of the studio, they would use a pig’s bladder sealed with string. Pricked by a pin to release the paint, the bladder was difficult to reseal, and the paint would dry. The tin paint tube, sealed with a reusable screw cap, gave the paint a longer shelf life, and would not leak. While plein air painting was not unheard of, this new invention made it considerably easier to go out into the countryside and capture a spontaneous image, thus creating one of the most popular styles of painting, a style that has continued to give both artists and viewers great pleasure into the present day.
The Rental Sales Gallery is proud to represent many artists who excel at painting in the style known as Impressionism. Won’t you have a look at some of these wonderful works of art?
So you see, even within the category of “Impressionism”, there are many different styles. Some where the brushwork is more distinct, some less: some with brighter colors, some more muted; and any number of different subjects.
More information on these paintings (and many others) can be found on our website. Click on the “Artists” heading, then choose either “Search the Catalog” or “Browse the Artist Directory.” I’m sure you will be (please forgive me) impressed!