Distance Learning

What is Impressionism?

Grade Level:
Upper Elementary: Third Grade through Fifth Grade
Subject:
Literacy and Language Arts

Program Description:

Students learn about the Impressionist art movement in preparation for the virtual or in-person field trip to Weir Farm National Historical Park in Wilton, Connecticut.

Duration:

  • 30 – 45 minutes

Essential Questions:

  • What is Impressionist art?

  • How does it differ from other art styles?

  • Who was the American Impressionist painter Julian Alden Weir, and how did he use the Impressionist style to portray his surroundings?

Objective:

Students will be able to identify the characteristics of Impressionism and explain how those elements are depicted in Julian Alden Weir’s artwork.

Background:

In contrast to the previous art period’s focus on realism, which was the realistic depiction of scenes, including important historical events and important or wealthy people, the Impressionist artists of the mid-1800s painted their surroundings and what was familiar to them, such as their family members, friends, homes, farms, gardens, landscapes, and pets. They highlighted natural sunlight and used short, thick strokes of paint with little mixing. Famous European Impressionists include Claude Monet, Pierre-August Renoir, Edouard Manet, Camille Pissarro, and Paul Cezanne. American Impressionists include Mary Cassatt, Childe Hassam, John Henry Twachtman, and Julian Alden Weir.


The Impressionist style can be identified by:

  • Thick, loose brush strokes

  • Visible brush strokes (little blending)

  • Scenes of nature and landscapes

  • Images of everyday life, not historical events, religious scenes, or mythology

  • Images are not crystal clear, more like an impression of a scene

  • Depiction of the general public, rather than important or wealthy people

  • Use of sunlight, moonlight, and shadows

  • Shows movement

  • Flecks of color that become objects when the viewer backs away from the work (close viewing of the painting reveals recognizable brush strokes and color dabs)

  • En plein air (painted outdoors)

Materials:

Procedure:

Opening Activity:

Explain to students that they will be learning about a painting style called Impressionism. Present the “What Is Impressionism?” video to the class. The video ends with a question: What’s your impression of the Impressionists?


Video discussion prompts:

  • Why did Claude Monet name his painting Impression Sunrise? Because it captured an impression of what the sunrise looked like
  • Can you name any other Impressionist painters mentioned in the video? Pissarro, Cassatt, Degas, Morisot, Sisley, Renoir
  • What are some characteristics of the Impressionist style? Capture impression of everyday life that they saw in front of them, bright colors, bold brushstrokes, outdoors
  • In what city and time period did the European Impressionists live? Paris, France in the late 1800s
  • Why were they considered rebels? The official exhibitions rejected their works (these exhibitions preferred realism)

Developmental Activity:

After confirming that students understand the characteristics of Impressionist paintings (see Background), explain that they will be viewing works of an American Impressionist named Julian Alden Weir. They will be helped in their exploration by the Park Ranger of Weir Farm National Historical Park, the only national park dedicated to American painting.

Present the “Weir’s Style of Impressionism” video to the class. The Ranger will introduce two paintings and the elements of Impressionism used by Julian Alden Weir. Following the video, the children will participate in an activity which will allow them to further develop their ability to recognize impressionist paintings.

This activity is designed to help students identify the characteristics of Impressionism. You should show the students the “Which One is an Impressionist Painting?” Slideshow and use this guide to help you lead the class discussion about each characteristic on the list and whether or not the painting exhibits that specific characteristic. In the end, your class will be able to decide which painting is Impressionism and which one is not.

Vocabulary:

  • En plein air (pronounced "on plen air" in French) – painting outdoors
  • Impression – an idea or feeling about something
  • Impressionism – a painting style originating in France in the 1860s that depicts the visual impression of a moment

Curriculum Standards:

Connecticut Core Standards, English Language Arts

  • ELA.RL.Cluster 3 (Integration of Knowledge and Ideas) Anchor, integrate and evaluate content presented in diverse media and formats, including visually and quantitatively, as well as in words
  • ELA.SL.Cluster 1 Anchor 2 (Comprehension and Collaboration) Integrate and evaluate information presented in diverse media and formats, including visually, quantitatively, and orally

Third Grade National Arts Standards

  • VA:Re.7.1.3a Speculate about processes an artist uses to create a work of art.
  • VA:Re.7.2.3a Determine messages communicated by an image.
  • VA:Re.8.1.3a Interpret art by analyzing use of media to create subject matter, characteristics of form, and mood.

Fourth Grade National Arts Standards

  • VA:Re.7.2.4a Analyze components in visual imagery that convey messages.
  • VA:Re.8.1.4a Interpret art by referring to contextual information and analyzing relevant subject matter, characteristics of form, and use of media.

Fifth Grade National Arts Standards

  • VA:Re.7.1.5a Compare one’s own interpretation of a work of art with the interpretation of others.
  • VA:Re.7.2.5a Identify and analyze cultural associations suggested by visual imagery.
  • VA:Re.8.1.5a Interpret art by analyzing characteristics of form and structure, contextual information, subject matter, visual elements, and use of media to identify ideas and mood conveyed.

Last updated: February 16, 2024