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Impressionism

July 10, 2020

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?

Claude Monet, Impression, Sunrise

 

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?

Ken Klos, Lavender Field

 

Jan Shield, Spaces Within

 

Kathryn Cotnoir, Trio Along the Path

 

Peggie Moje’, Fall Colors/St. John’s Bridge

 

Don Bishop, Sun Break

 

Nancy Tongue, Barrel Bounty

 

Fran Kievet, Barnyard Buddies

 

Wayne Chin, The Red Barn

 

Cathleen Rehfeld, Frida and Xolo

 

Sharon Engel, Hidden Garden

 

Yvonne Branchflower, Tranquility

 

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!

 

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Gallery Hours

Tuesdays - Saturdays, 11am-5pm

Location

1237 SW 10th Ave. at Jefferson (map)

Contact

rentalsales@pam.org | 503-224-0674

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The Rental Sales Gallery, Portland Art Museum recognizes and honors the Indigenous peoples of this region on whose ancestral lands the museum now stands.

These include the Willamette Tumwater, Clackamas, Kathlemet, Molalla, Multnomah and Watlala Chinook Peoples and the Tualatin Kalapuya who today are part of the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde, and many other Native communities who made their homes along the Columbia River.

We also want to recognize that Portland today is a community of many diverse Native peoples who continue to live and work here. We respectfully acknowledge and honor all Indigenous communities - past, present, future - and are grateful for their ongoing and vibrant presence.

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