Light and color in Monet and Renoir's impressionist paintings

Realism and Impressionism

Throughout history, art is used to talk about contemporary problems and views within society. As it is, a reflection of these values and the changes that is taking place. The revolution that occurred with realism and impressionism (during the Industrial Revolution), is just one sign of how this transformed the art world. To fully understand the way this took place requires comparing four works from the artists of: Monet, Renoir and Manet. Once this occurs, it will provide specific insights as to how their paintings are a reflection of the life and times of this era.

Monet

Claude Monet took a unique approach to his paintings. What happened was he concentrated on his subjects through what is known as the use of light and colors. This is when he would utilize various hues to make his painting have an element of emotional realism. Once this occurs, is the point that these works will leave an impression on the individual about a larger issue. Four good examples of this can be seen by looking no further than: Impression at Sunrise, The Boardwalk at Trouville, The Artists in the Family Garden and Argenteuil (Red Boats). ("Impression at Sunrise," 2011) ("The Boardwalk on the Beach,") ("The Artists Family in the Garden," 2011) ("Argenteuil," 2011)

In each one of these painting Monet, is using color to illustrate some kind of underlying theme about society and the changes that are taking place. In the Impression at Sunrise and the Boardwalk at Trouville he is using glossy colors to contrast two different worlds. As the Impression at Sunrise, is showing the beginning of a new day by capturing how fishermen are leaving the harbor. While in the Boardwalk at Trouville, Monet is talking about how these kinds of transformations are occurring with the changes of the landscape to reflect new realities. The Artists in the Family Garden is showing how society is still somewhat simple by depicting the subjects in the canvas in a relaxed setting. This is similar to Argenteuil (Red Boats), as it is highlighting how the changes are occurring slowly over time. These works are important, because they are showing how Monet is using realism through the subjects and objects he was painting. While impressionism, was embraced through the use of color and texture of the canvases. ("Impression at Sunrise," 2011) ("The Boardwalk on the Beach,") ("The Artists Family in the Garden," 2011) ("Argenteuil," 2011)

Manet

In the case of Manet, he was focused on using realism and impressionism to highlight how the world was changing. Four of this works where this can be found include: Music in the Tuileries Gardens, Battle of the Kearsarge and the Alabama, Masked Ball at the Opera and Luncheon on the Grass. In each of these canvases he is contrasting how the world is evolving by covering current events (i.e. Battle of the Kearsarge and the Alabama and Masked Ball at the Opera). He is then showing, how people are actually living their lives in the late 19th century (which is highlighted in Luncheon on the Grass and Music in the Tuileries Gardens). These different paintings are important because they are highlighting how Manet is talking about the changes that are occurring and what daily life is like during his time. ("Music in the Tuileries Gardens," 2011) ("Battle of the Kearsarge," 2011) ("Masked Ball at the Opera," 2011) ("Luncheon on the Grass," 2011)