In the late 19th century, a group of artists in France began to paint in a way that broke all the traditional rules.↵
Instead of creating detailed, realistic paintings in a studio, they went outside and painted what they saw in the moment.↵
They used quick brushstrokes and bright colors to capture light, movement, and atmosphere.↵
This new approach became known as Impressionism, a term that was first used as an insult but later became the name of an entire art movement.↵
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At that time, the art world was controlled by the Académie des Beaux-Arts, which expected artists to paint historical, religious, or mythological subjects in a careful and polished style.↵
Paintings were judged by how realistic and detailed they looked.↵
But the Impressionists were more interested in emotion and personal experience.↵
They painted people walking in the park, boats on the river, and sunsets glowing over the city.↵
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One of the most famous Impressionists was Claude Monet, who painted the same scene—like a bridge or a garden—at different times of the day to show how light changed everything.↵
Other artists like Edgar Degas focused on movement, painting dancers and people in everyday life.↵
Pierre-Auguste Renoir captured joy and warmth in scenes of families and friends.↵
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At first, many people didn't like their work.↵
They said the paintings looked unfinished or messy.↵
But over time, people began to see the beauty in this new style.↵
They realized that Impressionism wasn't about copying reality—it was about seeing the world in a fresh and emotional way.↵
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Impressionism later influenced other modern art styles, like Post-Impressionism and Expressionism.↵
It changed the idea of what art could be, opening the door to more creativity and freedom.↵
Today, Impressionist paintings are some of the most loved and studied in the world.