Va Summative

Unit-4 Impressionism
Criteria- A,B,C,D

Statement of Inquiry:

Artistic movements challenge conventions and redefine ways of seeing the world
by capturing fleeting moments, light, and emotion through innovation in
technique and expression.

Criteria-A
i. investigate a movement(s) or genre(s) in their chosen arts discipline,
related to the statement of

inquiry

ii. describe an artwork or performance from the chosen movement(s) or

genre(s).

The history of impressionism takes us back to 19th century Paris to the main art
exhibition called the salon, organized by the Academy of Fine Arts exhibiting
many historical figures, mythological and traditional themes. These painting that
were to be exhibited were decided by the jury of the salon which only excepted
the there traditional ways of paintings into the art exhibition, while the other
painting which didn’t fit the criterias were to be seen with a big red ‘rejected’
mark on the back, well you could say the jury were quite conservative. To object
this many impressionist artists came forward, who seeked for artistic
independence and decided to organise their own Art exhibition held in Paris in
1874 at a studio of a french photographer Nader. This is when the modern art
movement Impressionism was born.
The term impressionism derives from the famous painting by Claude Monet
called ‘Impression, Sunrise’. This painting was mocked by an art critic Louis
Leroy by calling it ‘impression’ in a bad way and described it as unfinished but
this term aged well turning into being the name of the art movement
‘Impressionism’.
Impressionist works stood out due to their seemingly casual and informal style,
characterized by loose brushstrokes and a deliberate move away from realistic
depictions of nature. Instead of focusing on historical, biblical, mythological, or
allegorical subjects, the Impressionists were captivated by modern life. The rapid
urbanization of Paris in the 19th century provided a wealth of new experiences
and public spaces filled with people, which became a primary source of
inspiration for these artists. Many Impressionists abandoned the studio in favor
of painting outdoors (en plein air), which influenced the size of their canvases,
making them smaller and more portable.
A key characteristic of Impressionism was the artists' fascination with light and
color. They sought to capture the fleeting effects of light on the atmosphere and
mood of a scene, evident in Monet's Rouen Cathedral series, where the same
subject is painted repeatedly under varying light and weather conditions. The
development of synthetic paints in tubes during the 19th century further enabled
their exploration of new and vibrant colors. Impressionists often employed
complementary colors like red and green, violet and yellow, and blue and orange,
placing them side-by-side rather than blending them to create a greater sense of
intensity. Notably, they tended to avoid dark tones and black, with Georges
Clemenceau even famously removing black cloth from Monet's coffin, declaring
"no no black for Monet, black is not a color". Impressionist paintings frequently
depicted the leisurely activities of the middle class in French society, showcasing
scenes of swimming, boating, café gatherings, and visits to the opera. Renoir's Bal
du moulin de la Galette exemplifies this, capturing the lively atmosphere of a
Parisian dance hall with loose brushstrokes and sunlit colors. Similarly, his work
La Loge offers a glimpse into the social dynamics of theater attendance. While
artists like Renoir and Mary Cassatt often portrayed the audience, Edgar Degas
frequently focused on what transpired on stage, particularly his numerous
depictions of ballerinas. It's important to note that Degas's portrayal of these
dancers, many of whom came from working-class backgrounds and were
vulnerable to exploitation, also reveals a less idealized aspect of the era.
While male Impressionists often depicted public life, female Impressionists like
Berthe Morisot and Mary Cassatt offered unique perspectives on the lives of
upper-class French women. Coming from wealthy families, they had access to
private spaces and often focused on domestic subjects due to the social
restrictions placed on women. Morisot's painting The Cradle, exhibited at the first
Impressionist exhibition, captures an intimate moment between a mother and
child1 . Similarly, Cassatt's Little Girl in a Blue Armchair portrays a child in a
private, domestic setting. In essence, Impressionism was a revolutionary
movement that embraced modernity, moving away from traditional academic
subjects and celebrating everyday life. By depicting their own subjective
perceptions and the atmosphere of their time, Impressionist artists
fundamentally changed the course of art, laying the groundwork for numerous
modern art movements that followed. Their innovative techniques and focus on
capturing the ephemeral nature of light and modern experience continue to
resonate and underscore their profound impact on the art world.

Criteria-B

i. practically explore ideas to inform development of a final artwork or

performance

ii. present a clear artistic intention for the final artwork or performance in
line with the statement of inquiry.

This unit inspired me to work without having a clear understanding of what you
are going to do next, as impressionism has brought the idea of exploring and
painting things that do not quite catch to the human eye with the imperfections.
By keeping in mind the essence of the impression I did not make any idea that
supported my final artwork, I wanted to explore how my mind works without
having any prior plans or ideas for the final painting. Instead I was interested in
observing artworks from the artist that were known for their impression and
grasp their brushstrokes and color contrast used in their painting to catch the
essence of the scenic landscapes in the artwork. I mostly observed Claude Monet’s
painting as the brush strokes are clear and easy to learn from and to understand
his way of working.

This painting ‘The waterlily pond’ by Claude

Monet was my inspiration for my final artwork.
This painting's greeting inspired my painting with
its brush strokes, color palette and waterlilies. I
tried to incorporate all of these details in my
artwork with the great desire to archive
something close to Monet’s painting
Monet’s brushwork in this piece is loose and expressive, typical of Impressionist
technique. He uses visible, short strokes to create the impression of movement
and light rather than focusing on realistic detail. The painting’s color palette
composed mainly of greens, blues, pinks, and purples conveys a dreamlike
atmosphere that feels both peaceful and vibrant. The reflections on the surface of
the water blur the boundaries between what is above and what is below, making
the viewer feel as if they are looking at a moment suspended in time.

The Japanese bridge is more than just a visual element; it reflects Monet’s
fascination with Japanese culture and aesthetics, especially the influence of
Japanese woodblock prints. Its inclusion in the composition symbolizes a
harmonious relationship between humans and nature. Meanwhile, the water
lilies floating on the pond surface represent tranquility and spiritual calmness.
The overall scene creates a meditative space where the natural world is
celebrated in all its subtle beauty.

This painting is not a one-time effort; Monet created an entire series of water lily
paintings, often capturing the same view under different lighting and weather
conditions. This reflects his desire to portray how light and color shift throughout
the day and across seasons. The Water-Lily Pond thus becomes more than a
simple landscape-it is Monet’s exploration of time, perception, and the ephemeral
nature of beauty. The work invites viewers to slow down and appreciate the
fleeting, delicate moments that exist in the natural world.
Criterion-C
i. create or perform an artwork.
Criterion D: Evaluating
Maximum: 8

i. appraise their own artwork or performance

In this painting, I was inspired by Claude Monet’s Water Lilies series and tried to
recreate a similar atmosphere of peace and natural beauty. I focused mainly on
the water surface, using shades of green and blue to show depth and reflection. I
think the color blending worked well in capturing the soft, flowing effect of
water. The pink water lilies scattered across the surface stand out nicely, and I
feel they help bring warmth and contrast to the overall cool-toned palette.

One thing I’m proud of is how I created texture and movement using visible
brushstrokes. It gave the painting a more expressive feel, and I think it helped
achieve the Impressionist style I was aiming for. However, if I could improve
something, I would add more variation in the size and placement of the lilies to
create a stronger sense of depth. I also think including a few subtle reflections or
highlights on the water could make the scene look even more realistic.

Overall, I’m happy with how the piece turned out. It feels calm and immersive,
and I think I managed to communicate the mood I wanted to through my color
choices and composition.

ii. Reflect on my development as an artist

Creating this artwork has helped me grow both technically and creatively. I’ve
learned more about using color and layering to create mood and atmosphere.
Before this, I usually focused more on outlines and details, but this time I tried to
let go of that and work more freely with brushstrokes and color blending, just like
Monet did. It was a bit challenging at first, but I really enjoyed the process.

I also feel like I’m starting to find my own voice as an artist. Instead of copying
Monet exactly, I chose to focus on the parts of his work that spoke to me the
most—the reflections, the calmness, and the balance of color. This experience
made me realize that art isn’t just about technique—it’s also about expressing
what I feel and how I see the world. I’ve become more confident in making
artistic choices and reflecting on them critically.
This painting represents an important step in my journey as an artist. I look
forward to continuing to experiment with different styles and learning new ways
to express my ideas.