American Impressionism and Realism

1
American Impressionism and Realism

• Two Ways of Seeing the World

2
The American Scene in 1900

• Jacob Riis, The Mulberry Bend, c. 1890

3
Impressionism vs. Realism
4
Impressionism

• Originated in France, 1870s and 1880s popular in
  U.S., 1880s and 90s
• New attention to painting surface
• Experimentation with color and brushstroke
• Soft palette of bright colors
• Response to photography less concern with
  precision and perspective

5
Impressionism

• Desire of painters to capture impression and
  changes brought by light
• Desire to capture spontaneity
• Common images landscapes, portraits of people in
  public places, intimate portraits of women and
  children
• Desire to establish independence of artist

6
Realism

• Realism recurring termin arts and literature
• Realist painting style emerged as alternative
  to Impressionism around 1900
• The Ashcan School a group of American artists
  who wanted to focus on the harsh realities of
  American life

7
Realism

• Common scenes urbanlife, public life, often
  featuring the poor and immigrants
• Artists often also worked as newspaper
  illustrators
• Difficulties with acceptance responded by
  embracing ashcan label and working as a group

8
The Streets of New York

• Childe Hassam (Impressionist), Late Afternoon,
  New York Winter, 1900

9
The Streets of New York

• Robert Henri (Realist), Street Scene with Snow
  (57th Street, N.Y.C.), 1902

10
The Beach

• William Merrit Chase (Impressionist), At the
  Seaside, 1892

11
The Beach

• John Sloan (Realist), South Beach Bathers, 1907-8

12
The Harbor

• Willard Metcalf (Impressionist), Gloucester
  Harbor, 1895

13
The Harbor

• John Sloan (Realist), Gloucester Harbor, 1916

14
The Park

• Willard Metcalf (Impressionist), Early Spring
  Afternoon, Central Park, 1911

15
The Park

• John Sloan (Realist), The Picnic Grounds, 1906-7

16
The Home

• Mary Cassatt (Impressionist), Mother About to
  Wash Her Sleepy Child, 1880

17
The Home

• Mary Cassatt (Impressionist), The Bath, 1891-92

18
The Home

• John Sloan (Realist), Sunday, Women Drying Their
  Hair, 1912

19
The Home

• John Sloan (Realist), A Womans Work, 1912

20
Music

• Theodore Robinson (Impressionist), At the Piano,
  1887

21
Music

• George Luks (Realist), The Spielers, 1905

22
Impressionism vs. Realism
23
How Real is Realism?
24
How Real is Realism?
25
Impressionism vs. Realism