Impressionism and Post Impressionism

Monica Vazquez

HUA 101.1301

Professor Harmon

November 1, 2013

Impressionism and Post Impressionism

Describe the difference between these two styles and explain how European colonization changes art in this time period.

During the period of Impressionism artwork begins to change, instead of sticking to the romanticism and academic doctrines, artist began to paint based on what they saw in contemporary life. In 1874 they began painting outdoors. The artist started painting based on what they saw outside and it was mostly in constantly changing conditions. Some pieces of art are based on direct observation, and some pieces of art have many paintings where the artists are capturing different points of view while drawing the same scenery. During the Impressionist period the artists would use small dabs of pure color placing them close to each other so when the art piece is seen from far away you capture one complete image when the artist is done with his individual brush strokes. By doing this the artists capture a vibrancy that cannot be captured by mixing colors alone.

In 1885 the post impressionism period begins. While the impressionist period was about capturing the moment and sketching immediately, artist from the post-impressionist time period wanted to add personal expression and spiritual content. Artist like Seurat wanted to systemize the optical color mixing of impression, and at the same time he wanted to create a solid and form organization with simplified shapes. This method of painting is known as pointillism. The post-impressionist artist not only wanted to see nature, but they wanted to see passed it, they wanted to make their feelings and thoughts visible.

European colonization gave many artist new inspirations. One of the inspirations in this time period was the Native American female ghost-dance dresses. The Native Americans draw birds, an eagle, a pipe and a woman in their dresses. The birds are said to represent messengers to the spirit world, and the women believe this ghost-dance dress is supposed to protect from gun shots that were being fired from the Europeans during a massacre in South Dakota.