Women In Impressionism

Women of The Impressionism Movement

What is Impressionism? Impressionism is an art movement in the 19th century, where artist tried to re-create the viewers observation of a scene. The impressionist movement was not just for men. It was not gender specific which meant women were able to take part in the chance to express their talents. Artist such as Berthe Morisot, Mary Cassatt and Marie Bracquemond were well known at this time. Some were of the elite upper class and some were not, but the impressionist movement did not segregate. Although women were happy to finally be seen as an artist not just a woman. Several had their own opinions on whether a woman should be aloud to paint. It was those people who discouraged these women, when they should

Art is a free form of expression and you can create art as you please. Impressionism is art that reflects light and color and captures the expression of movement in a work through brush strokes and value. Impressionism was not just for the wealthy, the poor, the white, the black, or even women or men. It did not discriminate on race, gender, or fame, there were people of all shapes and sizes that joined the impressionist movement. Some are more well known than others and typically the men did receive more recognition than women. Women were restricted as to what they could paint. During this time, women artist were prohibited from exploring public spaces, and could not travel alone. This became a disadvantage for women, and they were limited to what subjects were around them in their homes. This might be why so many drifted towards Realism and Impressionism. They would paint genre scenes, portraits, and still lives. They used their husbands, children, and maids (if they had them) for models. Most female artist that had recognition were somewhat related to or associated with a successful male artist. Morisot, for example, was accepted into the Avant-grade circle because of her close relationship with Manet. Manet was a French painter in the early 1800’s, who became an important icon in the transition from Realism to Impressionism. He was the kind of painter who rejected the obvious and conventional and painted a radical approach to the modern urban life. Many of these women choose to not marry and focus on their work, they wanted to be known for their talent and not for the gentleman who stood beside them. Women of this time were offered the best for private training, but recognition was scarce. France was one of the last countries to provide women with state-sponsored education, which meant