NATURAL IMPRESSIONISM – THE AMERICANS

Americans studying in the European studios initially rejected the Impressionists’ way of painting, with two exceptions Cassatt and Sargent. As exhibitions of Impressionists works came to America in the 1880s Chase took notice. Americans then traveled to France’s art colonies that focused on en Plein air, studied, and brought back fresh ideas.

They created a new style of impressionism that was influenced by their French predecessors. They enjoyed painting landscapes and people involved at work and in leisure. American Impressionists painted mostly en plein air (out of doors) with the goal of capturing the fleeting effects of sunlight and atmosphere (aerial perspective), producing a heightened sense of light in their artworks.

American Impressionists blended European approaches and techniques with their artistic sense and academic influences. Instead of replicating their French counterparts, their approach became more of an American view of the world. They focused more on structure and realism in their artworks. During the summers, the country and beach became areas of interest to paint.

Several artists gathered together in urban centers such as New York City. The American art colonies and groups developed a free exchange of ideas forming a unique identity.

From 1890 through 1920, Connecticut was the perfect setting for its natural beauty and proximity to New York and Boston. Here in Greenwich, Connecticut, it was an ideal setting for a new budding community – that became known as Cos Cob Art Colony. There, and at the farm of J. Alden Weir, other artists such as John Henry Twachtman, Theodore Robinson, and Childe Hassam met. 

Several artists of this period gathered together in urban centers such as New York City a place where they could meet through schools, organizations, and clubs. During the summers the country and beach life were of interest.

From 1890 through 1920 Connecticut was the perfect setting for its natural beauty and close proximity to New York and Boston. The town of Cos Cob section of Greenwich Connecticut was a perfect setting for a budding art colony.  There, and at the farm of J. Alden Weir, other artists such as John Henry Twachtman, Theodore Robinson, and Childe Hassam met.  were instrumental in leading American Impressionism

• Cassatt (An ex-pat lived in France, befriended Degas and the Impressionists, figurative subjects, one of the 3 great women of Impressionism – along with Bracquemond and Morisot). 

  • She had a passion for rhythmic line as structure holding fields of choreographic patches of color. A master who moved easily with a genesis of line into color. 

• Sargent (An ex-pat, trained in Paris, portrait painter, having the ability to draw with a brush, later worked en Plein air, he was inspired by Monet.) 

  • Formal portraits and Plein air landscapes with figures. His painting process had layers of paint with a predominance of illustrative brushstrokes within a framework based upon academic drawing skills.

• Theodore Robinson (considered the first American to take up Impressionism, friendship with Monet at Giverny. Trained in USA and Ecole des Beaux-Arts, painted and taught. Close to Twachtman and Weir spending time at the Cos Cob Art Colony). 

·      Chase (studied in Munich, noted master instructor, en plein air methods figures in landscapes, later member of the Ten, he founded the Chase school later to be Parsons School of Design).

o   He studied and painted effects of light and shade on nature’s hues and tints en plein air seeking to record what was before him.

·      Twachtman (studied in Munich and Paris, known for tonalist style scenes of landscapes, personal and experimental, co-founder of the Ten, worked at Cos Cob Art Colony).

o   An impressionist for all seasons, work was tonalitic with a dreamy mood as if thought poems within a narrative of the landscape of his locale, using close color harmonies. Simplified to its based components.

·      Weir (studied at the Ecole des Beaux-Arts in Paris. Good friends with Jules Bastien-Lepage. Co-founder of The Ten. Moved to Connecticut which is now the Weir Farm National Historical Park).

o   Initially rejected impressionism while in France. Adopted his own style of impressionism in realistic, structured way within a humility of subdued colors. Balanced the science and poetic in his work by using his academic training of composition and color. Left us a legacy of work and a place that is restful and peaceful.

• Hassam (traveled to Europe studied at Académie Julian, did not have contact with the French Impressionists, co-founder of The Ten, known urban and coastal scenes, later works were in the post-impressionism and fauvism style. Painted at the Isles of Shoals art colony in NH and Old Lyme Art Colony.) 

Ultimately our goal is to be a poet, work from the inside out. Impressionist’s work is beautiful because the world is beautiful.