Essay On Impressionist Movement

Impressionism, the Rebellion, and its affect on the working class and gender.

The establishment of the impressionist movement was a pivotal time for art. Artists banned together and created a group organization that consisted of two parts: gender and class. This was seen not only in their works but also amongst themselves. Impressionist artists strove to change the focus of art and take it in a new direction. This direction was also brought about through the rebellion against traditional and academic teachings. The rebellion against these was represented in their work of the working class and was portrayed differently through the eyes of male and female artists.

The unforeseen differences among the members of the impressionism society reflect the rising importance of class mixing during the

In his work, titled, Laundresses (1884) he depicts the working class woman-doing chores by the riverbed. He also had numerous pieces of ballet dancers. His viewpoint is that of a male voyeur, watching young dancers. Degas took an interesting approach to these particular pieces. He did not focus on the working class in these works, but the upper middle classes. It is apparent that he wanted to capture movement and make a statement in regards to lines and color; not so much the struggles of the lower classes like he did in his piece Laundresses.

Mary Cassatt on the other hand was a well-off American who led the life of a reputable female emigrant in Paris. Her paintings were also intimate but the voyeurism disappeared in favor of detached observation. Cup of Tea (1880) shows two well-to-do women and the restriction of their lives. She is known for her paintings of women in households and women taking care of their children. She enjoyed capturing the maternity of the working class as well as the maternity of the upper middle class (which she focused on more