Impression is often understood as a temporary confederation of artists who banded together to defy the tyrannical rules of the 19th century French art establishment. But, in reality, it was so much more than that. This stunningly illustrated study contextualizes impressionism within the dynamics of its time and depicts the artistic journey of its leading practitioners while also highlighting the enduring bonds between them.

IMPRESSIONISM CAN BE UNDERSTOOD AS A TEMPORARY ARTISTS'ASSOCIATION WHOSE MUTUAL AND IMPERATIVE AIM WAS TO OUTSMART THE TYRANNOUS RULES OF THE FRENCH ART WORLD AT THE END OF THE 19TH CENTURY, BY EXHIBITING, SELLING AND LIVING FREELY OFF THEIR ARTWORKS. MONET, RENOIR, DEGAS,CEZANNE, PISSARRO, SISLEY ARE FAMOUS NAMES OF ARTISTS WHO WERE FIRST VERY CLOSE AND WHO STUCK TOGETHER BEFORE PROGRESSIVELY PARTING TOWARDS INDIVIDUAL DESTINIES SO RENOWNED THAT EACH ONE OF THEM REMAINS FAMILIAR, IN THE SAME WAY THAT THEIR PAINTINGS SEEM SO CLOSE. IMPRESSIONISM CAN'T ONLY BE REDUCED TO A STRATEG!C MOVEMENT;EVEN THOUGH THESE ARTISTS FOUND THE IMPRESSIONIST LABEL TOO RESTRICTIVE, THEY ALSO THOUGHT IT SYNONYMOUS WITH THEIR WILL OF FREEING THEMSELVES AND WITH THE FREEDOM OF THEIR GAZE. THIS STUNNING ILLUSTRATED STUDY AIMS AT CONTEXTUALIZlNG IMPRESSIONISM WITHIN THE DYNAMICS OF THE TIMES AS WELL AS RESTORING THE JOURNEY OF EACH ONE OF ITS PROTAGONISTS WHILE REVIVING THE VERY OFTEN UNFAILING LINKS BETWEEN THEM: MANET, MONET,BAZILLE, SISLEY, RENOIR, CAILLEBOTTE, CEZANNE, PlSSARRO, DEGAS AND MORISOT.

Introduction

1.Manet

 Manet and Monet

2.Monet

 Monet and Bazille

3.Bazille

 Bazille,Sysley and Renoir

4.Sysley

5.Renoir

 Renoir and Caillebotte

6.Caillebotte

 Caillebotte and Cezanne

7.Cezanne

 Cezanne and Pissarro

8.Pissarro

 Pissarro and Degas

9.Degas

 Degas and Morisot

10.Morisot

 Morisot and Manet

Conclusion

Index

Chronology

Select bibliography