Painting Light: The Hidden Techniques of the Impressionists

by Iris Schaefer, Caroline von Saint-George, Katja Lewerentz

Impressionism has probably been given the most attention of any style of art in the last decades. Although it seems as if everything has already been said and shown, this book pursues a new, original path. This book writes the history of impressionism and postimpressionism from a technological perspective—using high-powered microscopes, under infra-red and ultra-violet light—that brings the readers closer to the artists. It examines some of the most famous canvases of the last century, looking for clues as to where the paintings were made, under what conditions and, in some cases, by whom. This book also explores aspects such as how the artists conveyed the quality of light at different times of the day and which conditions inspired them the most, what materials and work methods they used, where the paintings were created as well as their history. The authors have succeeded in conveying their insights in a highly readable way giving us the feeling of being pulled into the daily world of the these painters.

Genres: Art, Nonfiction

240 pages, Hardcover

First published January 20, 2009

Reviews

[Servabo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Impressionism is probably the style of art that has been given the most attention in the last decades. It was Claude Monet's painting, 'Impression, Sunrise' that gave the introductory title Impression. Impressionist painters do not reproduce a landscape, but rather the feeling, which this landscape evokes.

The Impressionists simply paint what they saw and felt, without mystery and above all without rules or methods. The first impression was important to them and was to be captured freehand and without hesitation.

When Claude Monet claimed in 1880 that he never owned a studio because nature was his studio, he was making propaganda for painting in the open air (en plein air) like no other artist before him. Indeed, plein air painting can still today almost be considered a hallmark of the Impressionists.

1) Cap Gris-Nez, Theo van Rysselberghe
2) Sunset over the Sea, Henri-Edmond Cross

[Terri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent explanations on techniques.