Capturing Emotion: A French Impressionism Lesson
A visit to the NGV’s French Impressionism exhibition sent me down a rabbit hole of art, history, and a quiet revolution. I explore how these artists used new paint technologies to capture a feeling, not just an image, and what this journey taught me about pushing my work further.
I’ve been immersed in all things French lately, especially after I visited the NGV’s French Impressionism exhibition. Speaking with my French friend about it afterwards, he posed a fascinating question: “I wonder if brighter colour paint pigments became more available around the same time, or if it was just a new way of adding colour to what they saw?”
It was a thrilling combination of both!
Before the mid-19th century, artists had to grind their pigments and mix their paints, a messy, time-consuming process that often meant they were confined to their studios. Then, a quiet revolution:
The Collapsible Paint Tube (1841): Suddenly, artists could carry pre-mixed paints anywhere. This portability was key to painting en plein air (outdoors), allowing them to capture the shifting light and atmosphere of a moment before it vanished.
Newer, Brighter Pigments: Alongside this, chemists were creating exciting new synthetic pigments like vibrant blues (Cobalt, Cerulean) and radiant yellows (Chrome, Cadmium). These offered a richer, more diverse palette than ever before.
But the real magic was how the Impressionists used these paints. They didn't blend colours on the palette, instead applying pure, distinct dabs and strokes of colour side-by-side on the canvas. Step back, and your eye blends these hues, creating a shimmering, luminous effect that feels alive and more vibrant than anything seen before. They also used rich blues and purples for shadows, rather than dull black.
As you exit the exhibition, a quote from Monet is painted on the wall: "What I will bring back from here will be pure, gentle sweetness: some white, some pink, and some blue, and all this surrounded by the fairylike air."
This fusion of scientific advancement and daring artistic technique allowed them to achieve their vision and capture the world as they saw it, full of light and vibrant colour. It was a powerful reminder to push my work further, which can open up entirely new and unexpected possibilities.
A Journey Through Light at the NGV
My visit to French Impressionism from the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, at the NGV last week was pure joy. I particularly appreciated how the exhibition started with works from just before the Impressionist era, giving clear context and a sense of how radical these artists were at that time.
The room dedicated to still lifes was a beautiful surprise. Despite their love for outdoor painting, many artists undertook rigorous studies of light and form in the studio.
While the Renoir room was spectacular with red walls, a piano, and a giant chandelier, the paintings were hung a bit high, so it was hard to get up close, which I love to do. It was wonderful to see his lifesize painting, Dance at Bougival, in person.
The room dedicated to Monet's canvases was my highlight. Being enveloped by his studies of light, watching how he chased the sun's journey across his various scenes and seasons, was a deeply inspiring experience. One gorgeous painting of a snow scene meant he would've been painting it standing out in the snow - what dedication!
The Power of Community and a New Beginning
This weekend, I attended Les Lumières BLANC: Endgame, a compelling talk by Dr. Ted Gott (Senior Curator, NGV), part of the Bastille Day French Festival. The focus was the turmoil surrounding the final Impressionist exhibition in 1886.
It was fascinating to learn about the deep fractures within the group by then, with key figures like Monet and Renoir boycotting this last show. A major point of contention was the inclusion of Seurat and Signac, who were pioneering Pointillism (or Neo-Impressionism). Their systematic, 'scientific' method of painting tiny dots of pure colour was a stark departure from the spontaneous brushwork of the earlier Impressionists. Pissarro, the only artist to exhibit in all eight Impressionist shows, even championed Seurat's inclusion, leading to much debate. This period highlighted the powerful shifts happening in art, marking both an end to the collective Impressionist movement and the dawn of new beginnings in modern art.
What I also admire about the Impressionists is that, amidst these artistic tensions, they were quite a supportive and open group for their time. They consciously decided to break from the rigid establishment of the Paris Salon and created their own exhibitions. They also welcomed and exhibited women artists like Berthe Morisot, Mary Cassatt, and Marie Bracquemond alongside their male peers. This was a striking departure from many other art movements of the past, where women were often excluded or considered only as muses. It speaks volumes about their forward-thinking spirit.
After the talk, I soaked up the vibrant atmosphere of the Bastille Day festival at the Queen Victoria Market. Full of delicious food stalls, lively music, and that quintessential French joie de vivre! And yes, a perfect pain au chocolat from Choukette was definitely part of the experience.
What I Learned
This journey into the world of French Impressionism was a powerful reminder that art and progress often come from unexpected places—a new technology, a daring technique, or the courage to break with tradition. The fusion of scientific advancement with a daring artistic technique allowed them to capture a new kind of magic. It showed that even amidst creative tension, a supportive community and an open mind can lead to a powerful new movement. It feels not too dissimilar to today's art world, full of gatekeepers, petty bickering, and the opportunity of new technology like social media and AI. Every time I see the French Impressionists' work, I get awestruck and excited about the new possibilities, which reminds me to keep pushing my work further.
Thank you so much for being a part of my journey. If you found a little beauty or inspiration in this post, I'd be thrilled for you to join my intimate community by subscribing to my Studio Love Letters here.
With love,
💕 Katie