Impressionists

a. Read this text and do the exercises:

The Impressionists' quest to capture the fleeting moment. Impressionism, the most revo­lutionary art movement of the second half of the 19th century, flouted the conventions of aca­demic painting in a way that at first baffled but finally delighted the art-loving public. Inspired by Edouard Manet, the Impressionists were mainly French­men, with a core consisting of Claud Monet, August Renoir, Edgar Degas, Camille Pissarro, and the Englishman Alfred Sisley.

They worked largely outdoors in order to avoid the contrived effects of studio work. The Impressionists developed a technique of ap­plying dabs of colour to build up an impression of what the eye sees, rather than trying to fill in every detail precisely. Compared to the work of traditional artists, the Impressionists' paintings seemed sketchlike and perhaps careless. Their aim was to capture the fleeting image and to recreate light, atmosphere, and move­ment in all their natural brilliance.

The group dissolved after 1886, but their influence lived on, revo­lutionizing European painting and preparing the way for the di­verse styles of the 20th century.

Exercises

1. Transcribe the following words:

barber

commission

academy

creation

mystery

contemporary

to criticize

(to) experiment

2. Sum up what the text said about the Impressionists and their role in the development of painting.

3. Write out the words and expressions associated with this movement.

4. Match these names of paintings and their painters:

The Red Roofs

Impression: Sunrise

The painting by Claude Monet, exhibited at the Impres­sio­nists' first group show in Paris in 1874, was to give the group their name and to add a word to the vocabulary of art. The Moulin was a popular Monmartre entertain­ment spot for young Parisians and their girls. Auguste Renoir immoralized the gaiety and bustle of a Sunday afternoon dance there in the 1870s. His " Le Moulin de la Galette"

The colours seem to vibrate on the canvas in Camille Pissarro's painting. His aim was not to define precisely but to use swift brushstrokes to give an instant impression.

5. Agree or disagree and substantiate your viewpoints:

• The name Impressionist was first used mockingly by the French critic Louis Leroy.

• You can now see originals or copies of Impressionists' paintings in every big picture gallery or museum.

• Numerous paintings of Impressionists are exhibited in Moscow museums.

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