By Claude Monet
The painting above is by one of the founders of French Impressionism, Claude Monet. Titled Street in Vetheuil in Winter, the work was created in 1879. Monet painted in his home city of Paris, France.
By John Constable
This next work is titled View on the Stour near Dedham and was painted by John Constable in 1822. Constable’s works were representative of the Romanticism Art style. Constable is well-known for his paintings of landscape scenes surrounding his hometown of Suffolk, England.
I chose these two works for comparison because they are both of simple landscape scenes. The feel and impact of the painting is derived from the style and not necessarily the subject matter. The Romantic Era lead into the Impressionism style so these works represent a shift in a relatively small period of time. I find that the painting by Monet is more meaningful and aesthetically appealing to me. This may be since I’ve grown up in a place with snow, but the foggy sky and patchy snow cover remind me of the first snow in fall. The broad strokes of Impressionism, as well as the unmixed colors, really give that feel of a dreary scene that is also relaxing. I agree with the fact that Impressionism is more about the emotional feel of a setting than the technical detail (Even more so than Romanticism).
I have always been drawn to detail and realism in art, but the feelings evoked by Impressionism painting are enough to sway me to that side. Romanticism was also a movement towards capturing feeling over scientific detail and perfection, but Impressionism took it to a whole new level. Impressionism appeals to me because it’s very subjective. In a Romantic Era painting the feeling is there; however the artist is responsible for adding the traits that evoke emotion. In Constable’s painting the trees and water are drab and the work has the overall feel of a late summer evening, almost transitioning into fall. I can relate to the environment, but it does not relate quite as much to my feelings about that scene. The Impressionism painting leaves so much more to the human imagination. Monet’s painting is of a village in France, yet I can picture the same feel of that scene in my hometown.
I am very impressed by the skill of creating the higher levels of detail in Romantic Era art. Detail is appealing to me, but Impressionism lets me create my own detail, and that makes the works seem more personal. I can imagine my own subtle details in the scene, rather than having them presented to me explicitly. Impressionism was all about what impression the work can make on the viewer, and emotion surely makes more of an impression on me than detail.
October 26, 2009 at 4:35 am
First off I like how you chose to similar pieces to compare for this assignment. I also would like to say my overall thoughts about Impressionism are similar to yours, they evoke more feelings into the audience than previous artistic styles. Looking through the analysis I believe you did a good job with all of the citing needed, and all of the information seemed factual. The information in the critique of the two periods was also well done, they are two paintings with similar subject matter, but I think you made a good case why you like Monet’s piece. So overall I would say good analysis. I think my only question would be, why do you think the lack of detail makes the viewer think about the piece of art more?
October 28, 2009 at 2:42 pm
Claude Monet picture reminded me of Alaska’s Mountains. I lived there for 15 months, so that painting reminds me of cold nights snuggled up with my family. The choice to make your comparison pieces both landscapes was smart. I also would choose Monet’s painting over Constable’s because it reminds me of a place.