We often forget how provocative the Impressionist paintings seemed when they were first exhibited in 1874 in Paris. Through the rapid brushstrokes and colors used, the Impressionists, painting in the open air, captured the fleeting effects of light and their feelings. As a result, they rejected the established principles of art that prevailed at that time in France. Ralph Skea shows how Impressionist artists were able to transform the everyday into a subject, and traces the movement from its origins in France to its expansion in the United States and Australia. The initial shock of Impressionism gradually gave way to acceptance and then worldwide popularity. His impact also had a profound impact on modern art.
