Impressionism -
Impression, Sunrise, 1872
Claude Monet (1840-1926)
48 cm × 63 cm, oil on canvas
Musée Marmottan
I am starting the
Art Appreciation blog in April of 2024, the year in which France (where I
am) and the art-loving world celebrate 150 years of Impressionism. In April
1874 in Paris, a group of artists presented their paintings as an independent
group, which would be known from then on as the first Impressionist
exhibition.
This self-assignment helps me organise my research, curiosity, and
knowledge on this topic. I will explore different aspects of Impressionism,
focusing on its ground-breaking aspirations and innovations, and include at
least 150 paintings as examples for those analyses. I intend to explore less-known (by an average art appreciator, not an art historian) Impressionist stories and try to make connections to the present day.
Studying Art History courses in Oxford's continuing education program sparked the curiosity and joy of reading more about art history. At some point, writing about it became a necessity to organise my findings. The blog format allows me to constantly refresh my content, including links to current and past exhibitions, as well as the locations of paintings.
The exhilarating feeling of jumping into a rabbit hole of research (in my case in English, French, and ex-Yugoslav languages) will, in this way, give me a way out of it, by putting findings into thematic stories and finding new connections across time, space, and people.
My research process is as important to me as the answers and stories I find. The Internet can help, but without the Art History books, one stays on the surface with information that doesn't connect to a story. I wanted to understand this period and this group of artists on a deeper level, and through them, understand better how society, history, economy, and social connections build up to bring about change. I don't use AI tools for questions; for me, discovering is about opening new questions, not getting quick responses.
I am fortunate to know several art historians who are much more knowledgeable and generous enough to read my writings and give me feedback. I would like to name them here once I get their permission.
Most of all, I want to thank my husband, Michael Pillsbury, for his endless support and for saving me from making unforgivable mistakes in English as my second language. Michael also loves art, and, in a way, he is my ideal blog reader. He cannot save me, though, from embarrassing myself with this blog. He says I won't. Cheers to all the supportive and subjective partners out there.
I intend to have fun with this project, hoping to sprinkle and share joy with friends and people who still believe that beauty can save the world. If you are curious about art and enjoy a short art story now and then, join me on this journey. It is another opportunity to enjoy the breathtaking beauty of Impressionist paintings, which have forever changed the art world, opening doors for modern art. This project aims to provide a space for reflection, discoveries, and the use of the internet in ways other than self-validation.
Enjoy the trip...
About the painting at the top: