Art History Timeline / Impressionism
Impressionism for Kids: Art History, Artists and an Easy Art Activity
Impressionist artists painted outside to catch sunlight and colour. They used quick dabs of paint instead of smooth lines. Up close it looks messy, but step back and the picture glows.
For teachers
The Impressionists held their first independent exhibition in Paris in 1874, outside the official Salon. The name came from Monet's painting Impression, Sunrise. They painted modern life and changing light, often outdoors, using new portable paint tubes and broken brushstrokes.
What to look for
Pull up an artwork from this time and go on a looking hunt. Here is what to spot.
- Short, visible brushstrokes
- Bright light and coloured shadows
- Outdoor scenes, gardens and water
- Everyday moments
Meet the artists
Edgar Degas
1834 to 1917
He is famous for drawing and painting ballet dancers.
Claude Monet
1840 to 1926
He painted the water lilies in his own garden pond many times.
Berthe Morisot
1841 to 1895
She showed her paintings in the first Impressionist exhibition in 1874.
Mary Cassatt
1844 to 1926
She was an American artist in Paris who often painted mothers and children.
Artworks to look at closely
Click any artwork to zoom in on The Met website. Big screen, slow looking, lots of talking.
The Dance ClassEdgar Degas, 1874The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Open AccessSee it at The Met
A Woman Seated at a Bench on the Avenue du BoisBerthe Morisot, 1885The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Open AccessSee it at The Met
By the SeashoreAuguste Renoir, 1883The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Open AccessSee it at The MetTry it
An easy art activity you can do with paper and whatever drawing tools you have.
Take your paper outside or to a sunny window. Paint what you see using only short dabs of colour, no outlines. Try putting blue or purple in the shadows instead of black.
Ms Artastic lessons
There is no Ms Artastic lesson for this part of the timeline yet. In the meantime, the Free Art Lesson Library has lessons you can teach this week.
Open the Free Art Lesson LibraryBooks for your art shelf
- Linnea in Monet's Garden by Christina Björk
- Mary Cassatt (Getting to Know the World's Greatest Artists) by Mike Venezia
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Questions teachers and parents ask
What is Impressionism?
Impressionist artists painted outside to catch sunlight and colour. They used quick dabs of paint instead of smooth lines. Up close it looks messy, but step back and the picture glows.
What time period is Impressionism from?
Time period: 1860s to 1890s. Where: France.
Who are some famous artists of Impressionism?
Edgar Degas (1834 to 1917), Claude Monet (1840 to 1926), Berthe Morisot (1841 to 1895) and Mary Cassatt (1844 to 1926).
What is an easy art project for kids about Impressionism?
Take your paper outside or to a sunny window. Paint what you see using only short dabs of colour, no outlines. Try putting blue or purple in the shadows instead of black.
The Artastic Collective art curriculum
Full art lessons, videos and units for the whole year, ready when you are. Monthly, yearly and VIP plans.
More famous-artist video lessons
Press play and paint along with me. Each video lesson comes with a printable lesson plan and a QR code, so it is ready for the classroom or the kitchen table.
