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DA6. Impressionism as the First Modern Art Style

Statement

Impressionism is often considered the first, true, modern art style. Do you agree with this statement, or not? In your post, please refer to both Impressionist images and earlier art to support your discussion.

Answer

I don’t agree with the statement in the prompt that Impressionism is the first modern art style. Impressionism is an important movement in the history of art, but it was not the first. According to Easby (n.d.) and Harris & Zucker (n.d.), the roots can be traced back to the beginnings and mid-1800s with the development of photography and the rise of Realism.

Photography, although controversial as art, and Realism, which challenged traditional academic art, and the Royal Academy behind it; both movements preceded Impressionism. The main characters of modern art are freedom of expression, closer to reality, and touching the hearts of the audience.

The Impressionists were the first to commercially exhibit their works, which were rejected by the Salon, but the actual roots of modern art can be traced back to the Realists. The Realists, like Courbet and Eakins, saw that artwork should depict the world itself, without artificial additions.

As an example of Realism, let’s take a look at Thomas Eakins’ painting “The Agnew Clinic” (1889). This painting depicts a surgery in progress, showing the reality of the medical field at the time. The painting showed the raw reality of the situation which is a key aspect of Realism. (The Agnew Clinic, 2024).

The Agnew Clinic
The Agnew Clinic by Thomas Eakins (WikiMedia)

As an example of Impressionism, let’s take a look at Claude Monet’s “Impression, Sunrise” (1872). This painting is often considered the first Impressionist work; it depicts a harbor scene at sunrise, with loose brushwork and a focus on light and color rather than detail. (Impression, Sunrise, n.d.).

Impression, Sunrise
Impression, Sunrise by Claude Monet (WikiMedia)

To conclude, The Agnew Clinic painting looks more realistic, detailed, and modern than the Sunrise painting. This may support my argument that Realism was the first modern art style, and Impressionism followed it, but it may also be just a matter of personal preference.

References

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