Key Difference – Impressionism vs Expressionism
Impressionism and Expressionism are two art movements with distinct characteristics and styles. Impressionism originated in the 1860s in Paris and had a strong influence on artists across Europe and the United States. Expressionism, on the other hand, began in 1905 in Germany and can be seen as a reaction to Impressionism. The main difference between the two movements is that Impressionism focused on capturing the momentary effect of a scene, while Expressionism aimed to present exaggerated and distorted emotions through art.
What is Impressionism?
Impressionism emerged in the 1860s in Paris and was characterized by artists trying to capture the impression or momentary effect of a scene. This often involved going beyond reality and focusing on light effects in a spontaneous manner. Some key artists associated with the Impressionist movement include Alfred Sisley, Camille Pissaro, Mary Cassatt, Claude Monet, Edgar Degas, and Pierre-Auguste Renoir. These artists tended to use vibrant colors and often chose outdoor scenes as their subject matter.
What is Expressionism?
Expressionism began in 1905 in Germany and lasted until around 1920. The movement was a reaction to Impressionism and emphasized the loss of authenticity and spirituality in the world. Expressionist artworks often featured distortion and exaggeration, highlighting social issues such as capitalism, alienation, and urbanization. Notable Expressionist artists include Vincent Van Gogh, James Ensor, Edvard Munch, Henri Matisse, Marc Chagall, Paul Klee, Wassily Kandinsky, Franz Marc, and August Maske. Expressionists often used strong colors to convey a sense of darkness and anxiety and focused more on the depiction of internal emotions than external realities.
Key Takeaways
- Impressionism aimed to capture the momentary effect of a scene, while Expressionism focused on presenting exaggerated and distorted emotions through art.
- Impressionist artists used vibrant colors and often depicted outdoor scenes, while Expressionists used strong, intense colors to convey a sense of darkness and anxiety.
- Expressionism was a reaction to Impressionism and focused more on internal emotions than external realities.
