The Birth of Modern Art: Claude Monet's 'Impression, Sunrise'

In the realm of art, revolutions are rarely instant. Rather, they evolve over time, influenced by a combination of historical events, artistic movements, and cultural shifts. The impressionist movement, spearheaded by Claude Monet, is a prime example of this gradual process. In 1872, Monet created 'Impression, Sunrise,' a painting that would come to be regarded as the birthplace of modern art.

The ready-made is anticipated in the casual ordinariness of impressionist painting, which sought to abolish all hierarchies of subject and genre. Impressionists aimed to show life just as it was, finding beauty in the everyday. This attitude evolved out of the Romantic movement, where artists like Millet, Corot, and Bonington were deeply alive to the sensuality of nature.

In France, landscape artists were already paying attention to the flux and randomness of nature in their works. The Welsh artist Thomas Jones was a bold proponent of painting in the open air, a technique that had evolved over nearly two centuries. Oil sketching in the open air was common in the 18th century, reflecting a Newtonian belief in empirical truth and the Romantic pursuit of oneness with nature.

John Singer Sargent beautifully captures this ideal in his portrait of Monet at work in the flux of nature, his easel set up amid the balmy elements. However, the ideas impressionism was to make notorious were not new at all. At the heart of impressionism is a desire to paint the immediate, sensual passing scene, ideally and mythically, by placing an easel in the open air.

Monet's 'Impression, Sunrise' played a crucial role in shaping the direction of modern art. The painting was created on November 13, 1872, at 7:35 am, and it was not until the group exhibition in 1874 that impressionist artists were recognized as fighting for a common cause. Monet's name for this art movement, 'Impression,' was coined by him, emphasizing the fleeting light of never-to-be-repeated moments.

In conclusion, Claude Monet's 'Impression, Sunrise' is not only a significant work within the Impressionist movement but also a testament to the gradual evolution of modern art. The painting embodies the essence of impressionism, capturing the beauty of everyday life and the fleeting nature of light and color. As such, it serves as a reminder that revolutions in art are rarely instant, but rather the culmination of historical, cultural, and artistic forces that shape our understanding of the world around us.

Impression sunrise claude monet