Jfernbach's List: Impressionist Painters

This blog explains what the Impressionism style of painting is. Impressionist paintings look more like photographs that are capturing a moment in time. They usually do not seem very staged. Paintings done in the Impressionist style also had mainly short brush strokes where paint was applied thickly. Another key concept in Impressionist paintings was how light was displayed. Artists painting in this style paid close attention to shadows and how shadows changed the colors of objects in their paintings. Read the blog post closely to gain a better understanding of Impressionism!

This page contains a biography of Monet as well as photographs of his paintings. Please read his biography and answer the following questions:
When was Claude Monet born?
Where was Monet born?
When did he die?
What caused his death?

Take a look at some of Monet's paintings. Which do you think is his best work? Why?

Which of these were facts and which were opinions?

Vincent van Gogh is a very well known artist. Read this short biography to learn about him and find the answers to the following questions:

When was van Gogh born?
What country did van Gogh grow up in?
What part of his body did van Gogh cut off?
Where can you go to see his Starry Night painting?

Look at the three paintings at the bottom of the webpage (Cafe Terrace at Night, Sunflowers, and Bedroom in Arles). Which of these do you find the least impressive? Why?

Which of these answers are facts? Which are opinions?

Pierre Auguste Renoir is another well known impressionist painter. Read his brief biography carefully so you can answer the following questions:

When was Renoir born?
What did Renoir paint in 1854 for his first job?
In 1869, Renoir worked with another famous painter to produce the first landscape paintings in the impressionist style. What painter did he work with?
How old was Renoir when he died?
Do you think Le Cafe is a pretty painting? Why or why not?

Which of these answers are facts and which are opinions?

Edgar Degas was a French artist. Degas is well known for creating art with dancers. Explore the website to answer the following questions:

Click on: 'Who was Edgar Degas?' to find the answers to the following questions:

When was Degas born?
How many brothers and sisters did he have?
What year was the first Impressionist exhibition?
What year did Degas die?
What other type of art did Degas make (besides paintings)?

Explore the rest of the website. What is your favorite part? Why?
What is your least favorite part? Why?

What answers are facts? What answers are opinions?

Mary Cassat was the only American who was invited to join the Impressionist painters! She was born in Pennsylvania in 1844. Read her biography carefully to answer the following questions:

When is Mary Cassat's birthday?
What languages did Cassat learn?
Did Cassat's parents want her to be a professional artist?
Do you think it is fair that women could not study at the art school in Paris at that time?
Who are two famous artists that Cassat knew?
When did Cassat die?

What answers are facts? What answers are opinions?

Henri Matisse was a French artist who was well known for his use of color and patterns. Explore this interactive website to discover a bit about Matisse and his paintings. Use the information provided to answer the following questions:

What is the name of Matisse's dog?
What year was Matisse born?
What are the names of the four paintings in the Gallery?
Which painting is the best?
When did Matisse travel to Morocco?
Did you like creating Matisse-Inspired artwork?

What answers are facts? What answers are opinions?

Georges Seurat introduced a new painting technique that became known as Pointillism that used numerous tiny, colorful dots to make a larger painting. He was a very talented artist! He died at the young age of 31. Read the 'Biography' section carefully to answer the following questions:

Where was Seurat born?
What is the name of the island Seurat moved to in 1881?
When did Seurat die?
What painting did he leave unfinished?

There are several paintings along the right side of the website. Look at: 'A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte' and 'Bathers at Asnieres.' Which picture do you like better? Why?

Which of these are facts? Which answers are opinions?

This video showcases some of Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec's beautiful artwork. Please watch the video carefully. After watching the video, read the 'About' tab (you must click 'Show more' to see it all). This information will help you answer the following questions:

What year was Toulouse-Lautrec born?
Which painting was your favorite? (Since the video does not include the names of the paintings, please describe the painting in detail so your classmates will know which one you picked!)

What answers are facts? What are opinions?

This website tells all about Camille Pissaro's life and work as an artist. Please do a careful reading of the first three paragraphs as well as the section called 'French Impressionism.' Then, take a look at the artwork in the 'Gallery' section.

After reading these sections and looking at the artwork, please write down three facts about Pissaro and two opinions. Be specific!

Here is a brief biography of Berthe Morisot. On this page, please read the second paragraph closely and take a look at the paintings at the bottom of the webpage. Then, answer the following questions:

How many sisters did Morisot have?
What year did she participate in the first impressionist exhibition?
What was the name of Morisot's husband?
What year did she die?
Do you think Morisot is a good artist? Why or why not?

Which of these answers are facts? Which are opinions?

Gustave Caillebotte was a great Impressionist painter who lived from 1848-1894. Please watch this video and pay close attention to what is being discussed. While you are listening, please do the following:

Write down three words from the video that you do not understand. We will discuss them as a class.

What makes this Caillebotte painting different from the other Impressionist paintings?

Do you like this painting? Why or why not?

This webpage contains a biography for Edouard Manet, the French painter. After doing a close reading of the text, please answer the following questions:

What did Manet's father want him to be when he grew up?
Who are two Impressionist painters that Manet became friends with?
Which of Manet's paintings on this webpage is the best?

What answers are facts? What answers are opinions?

This website contains biographical information on Paul Cezanne. It also has activities for you to do with one of his famous paintings of apples. Please read the website carefully. Write down three facts from the 'Cezanne' tab. After you are finished with that, navigate to the 'Look Closely' tab and answer the questions that accompany the beautiful painting.

Here are a group of Impressionism paintings from the popular website, AllPosters.com. People use this site to buy posters for their homes and businesses. If you had to pick one of the 36 posters on this very first page to hang up in your bedroom, which one would you pick? Why? What is the name of the artist who painted the poster you chose?