A style of art, especially painting, that tries to capture the feeling or momentary impression of a scene rather than detailed realism.
From French 'impressionnisme', after the painting 'Impression, soleil levant' ('Impression, Sunrise') by Claude Monet. Critics first used the term as an insult, but the artists adopted it.
Impressionist painters cared less about exact lines and more about light, color, and mood—the ‘impression’ a scene leaves on your eyes. What began as a criticism became the proud name of a whole movement.
Art history narratives around Impressionism long prioritized male painters, marginalizing women Impressionists like Berthe Morisot and Mary Cassatt. Their contributions were often framed as secondary or domestic, despite substantial innovation.
When referencing Impressionism, include women and non-French artists where relevant instead of implying the movement was exclusively male.
Name women Impressionists and their roles in exhibitions, technique development, and patron networks to correct historical erasure.
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