When the first group exhibition of impressionists was held in Paris in 1874, featuring work by Claude Monet, Paul Cezanne and Edgar Degas, was unfairly denigrated as “impressionistic” by critics, while the movement is now celebrated, the term stuck. From an insult to the name of a key art movement in the historical art canon, impressionism is characterised by gestural spontaneity, quick linework, vibrant light and color, and a focus on capturing fleeting moments of everyday life and atmosphere rather than rendering precise details. Furthermore, the movement saw artists move away from the studio or laborious sketches, to working outside, en-plein-air, in an effort to capture the ever-changing light, seasons, landscapes and everyday scenes. This tradition continues today, with contemporary artists still venturing outdoors, captivated by light and the passage of time.

In our collection of impressionist art, explore how Australian artists have responded to the impressionist tradition, capturing landscapes, cityscapes and dreamscapes.