8/10/2017

You Can Decorate Your Home With Impressionist Prints And Still Support American Artists

By Michelle Powell


If you love art, but don't have the funds to buy original works, you might consider good reproductions. Many are very affordable, and you will have a huge selection of genres and artists to choose from. You will probably find that you prefer works by certain painters over others. If you really love the Impressionists, but want to support American artists, you can purchase Impressionist prints that are reproductions of beautiful work done by well known American artists.

The works you choose will be much more special if you learn something about the period which they represent. Impressionism, for instance, is considered to have been introduced to America by John Breck. After visiting France, he opened his first Boston exhibit at the end of the nineteenth century. Frank Benson painted in the French open air style as did William Chase. Chase established what is today Parsons School of Design.

Childe Hassam, the most famous of the American Impressionists, painted in watercolor and oil. His street scenes of flags flying over New York City during the Second World War showcase his style of painting utilizing vivid colors and broken brush strokes. This style is similar to Claude Monet and Camille Pissarro of France.

When you think about famous female artists of this time period, Mary Cassett is the name most people come up with. Cassett was born in Pennsylvania and went to Europe in her early twenties. She studied and painted in Paris eventually catching the eye of famed artist, Edgar Degas. She is most known for her depictions of women in everyday life. They might be shopping, eating lunch with friends or playing with their children.

James Whistler, probably best known for depicting his mother sitting in profile in a rocking chair, studied painting in Paris and was a good friend of Claude Monet. In many respects, Whistler's work went beyond Impressionism as he created his own style and color palette. He did share the Impressionists' interest in creating effect rather than strict attention to detail and painting scenes from life.

If guests, studying your prints, ask about the difference between French and American Impressionism, you might tell them that although painters on both sides of the Atlantic had an interest in landscapes and interiors, the American subject matter is distinct and recognizable as America. Many of the American Impressionists were fascinated with the New England coastline.

American Impressionism spread all over the country, but it was concentrated in New England. A number of these artists, including Hassam and John Singer Sargent, spent time painting on Ironbound Island in Maine. It was owned by the Blaneys, great patrons of the arts, during that time period.

Once you decide which artists, subject matter, color palettes, and styles you like the best, looking for reproductions that reflect them becomes a lot of fun, even though it can be challenging. You don't have to choose the most famous paintings by individual artists. You may find you like the lesser known works the best.




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