Both Impressionism and Post Impressionism ushered in a new era in the world of art. This article is a guide comparing Impressionism vs Post Impressionism and the similarities and differences between both art styles that have impacted and shaped the arts culture in more ways than one.
Impressionism and Post-Impressionism are two artistic movements that emerged in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, respectively.
Impressionism was a movement that started in France in the 1860s and is characterised by a focus on capturing the fleeting moments and sensory experiences of modern life. Impressionist artists sought to capture the moods and feelings associated with a particular moment in time, rather than creating highly finished, realistic depictions. They often used short, broken brushstrokes and light, vibrant colours to capture the impression of light and colour in a given moment. Some of the key artists associated with the movement include Claude Monet, Edgar Degas, Pierre-Auguste Renoir, and Mary Cassatt.
Post-Impressionism was a movement that followed Impressionism, and was characterized by a more expressive and individualistic approach to art. Post-Impressionist artists sought to move beyond the limitations of Impressionism, and used colour and form in a more abstract and subjective way. The movement is often associated with artists like Vincent van Gogh, Paul Cézanne, Georges Seurat, and Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec. Post-Impressionism is characterized by the use of bold colors, thick brushstrokes, and a more structured approach to form, as well as a greater focus on emotion and symbolism.
Table of Contents:
- Similarities between Impressionism and Post Impressionism
- Differences in Impressionism vs Post Impressionism
- Time Period, Definition, Art Styles
- Intention, Accuracy, Colour Scheme
- Artists, Artworks, Subject, Evolution
- Table Summing up the Differences in Impressionism vs Post Impressionism
- Final Words
Similarities between Impressionism and Post Impressionism:
Both styles were influenced by the French Movement and originated in France.
Both styles use rather bold brush strokes.
Both styles use similar mediums like oil painting and acrylic.
Both styles require a canvas and brushes to start.
Differences in Impressionism Vs Post Impressionism
| Impressionism | Post Impressionism | |
|---|---|---|
| Time Period | Early 1860s | 1886 – 1905 |
| Definition | Depiction of a Sketch or painting based on an artist’s impression of a scenery at that particular moment in time. | It is a style that emphasises geometric forms and distortion forms for an expressive effect, alongside unnatural and random colours. |
| Art Styles | Characterised by the use of vibrant colours, harsh spontaneous brushstrokes, accurate depiction of light, with its changing quality, use of unusual visual angles, and the use of subjects from modernised urban life | Less focused on the use of natural light, but more focused on the subject matter instead. This usage is subjected to the perception of the artist. |
| Impressionism | Post Impressionism | |
|---|---|---|
| Intention (Purpose) | Freedom of expression; to capture the moment and draw what you see in the moment. | Subject to the artist’s feelings, it is an expression of how an artist feels in that moment. |
| Accuracy | Slightly more realistic, as it has a tinge of realism and naturalism | Less realistic and more abstract |
| Colour Scheme | Pastel and more neutral colours (depending on the lighting) | Vivid bold colours and the artist can use unnatural or arbitrary colours |
| Impressionism | Post Impressionism | |
|---|---|---|
| Artists | Claude Monet, Édouard Manet, Pierre-Auguste Renoir | Paul Cézanne, Vincent Van Gogh, Pablo Ruiz Picasso |
| Artworks | Water Lily (Claude Monet) Le Déjeuner sur l’herbe (Édouard Manet) Luncheon of the Boating Party (Pierre-Auguste Renoir) | The Basket of Apples (Paul Cézanne) Starry Night (Vincent Van Gogh) The Old Guitarist (Pablo Ruiz Picasso) |
Subject (of paintings) | Landscapes, trees, Urban houses and infrastructures like railroad stations | Any subject matter that conveys what the artist is trying to portray. This can range from still life to portraits and landscapes. |
| Evolution | Paved the way to Fauvism, Cubism, Neo-Impressionism and Post Impressionism | Paved the way to Modern Art, e.g. Fine Art, Still Life, Pop Art and Abstract Art. |
To sum up, the following is a table Compiling the Differences between Impressionism vs Post Impressionism:
| Impressionism | Post Impressionism | |
|---|---|---|
| Time Period | Early 1860s | 1886 – 1905 |
| Definition | Depiction of a Sketch or painting based on an artist’s impression of a scenery at that particular moment in time. | It is a style that emphasises geometric forms and distortion forms for an expressive effect, alongside unnatural and random colours. |
| Art Styles | Characterised by the use of vibrant colours, harsh spontaneous brushstrokes, accurate depiction of light, with its changing quality, use of unusual visual angles, and the use of subjects from modernised urban life | Less focused on the use of natural light, but more focused on the subject matter instead. This usage is subjected to the perception of the artist. |
| Intention (Purpose) | Freedom of Expression; To capture the moment and draw what you see in the moment. | Subject to the artist’s feelings, it is an expression of how an artist feels in that moment. |
| Accuracy | Slightly more realistic, as it has a tinge of realism and naturalism | Less realistic and more abstract |
| Colour Scheme | Pastel and more neutral colours (depending on the lighting) | Vivid bold colours and the artist can use unnatural or arbitrary colours |
| Artists | Claude Monet, Édouard Manet, Pierre-Auguste Renoir | Paul Cézanne, Vincent Van Gogh, Pablo Ruiz Picasso |
| Artworks | Water Lily (Claude Monet) Le Déjeuner sur l’herbe (Édouard Manet) Luncheon of the Boating Party (Pierre-Auguste Renoir) | The Basket of Apples (Paul Cézanne) Starry Night (Vincent Van Gogh) The Old Guitarist (Pablo Ruiz Picasso) |
| Subject (of paintings) | Landscapes, trees, Urban houses and infrastructures like railroad stations | Any subject matter that conveys what the artist is trying to portray. This can range from still life to portraits and landscapes. |
| Evolution | Paved the way to Fauvism, Cubism, Neo-Impressionism and Post Impressionism | Paved the way to Modern Art, e.g. Fine Art, Still Life, Pop Art and Abstract Art. |
Final Words
Both Impressionism and Post-Impressionism were important movements in the development of modern art, and both continue to be popular and widely studied to this day. Impressionism, in particular, is widely regarded as one of the first modern art movements, and its impact on the art world and on modern society as a whole continues to be felt.
Understanding more about Impressionism vs Non Impressionism is of paramount importance to learning more about the arts, and how these two distinct art styles paved the way to countless art forms that exist today. If you like our works, do stay up to date and interact with us on our socials !
