The Impressionists

This beautiful and elegant evocation of the history of the Impressionists tells its story through 175 carefully-chosen, full-colour reproduction of the group’s greatest paintings as well as through numerous contemporary documents.

The text follows the artists through cafes and studios, from their eventful youth to the eventual recognition of their genius, which always came late – often too late. From the Salon des Refuses to the exhibition at Nadar’s, from Argenteuil to Montmartre, from Fontainbleau to Giverny, the story is unravelled through the paintings and the stories behind them. Despite disputes and mishaps, these artists were always united in aims, if not in friendship.

Despite the diversity of their styles and natures, they were linked by their unshakeable urge to be of their time by their common objective of developing a new and vibrant art form. The deliberate modernity shocked their contemporaries, whose howls of outrage they endured with courage and determination – though they were often disconcerted by them – always sure that time was on their side and that, sooner or later, recognition would come.

After the death of Manet, their spiritual leader, in 1883, a new generation of artists emerged. These Neo-Impressionists and Post-Impressionists, led by Seurat and Gauguin, took their cue from their seniors: Monet, Renoir, Pissarro, Cezanne and Degas, and helped them to enter the annals of history. They have had a place of honour there ever since; one which continues to gain in importance.