This course complements Bendigo Art Gallery’s Paris: Impressions of Life 1880–1925 and takes students on a journey through Impressionism. Books such as Sebastien Smee's Paris in Ruins explores how Impressionism was born out of war. How did the Impressionists build on ideas about colour from artists like Turner but forge their own path? The development of new paint technology, bringing art to the public in a tube - was another reason why Impressionism began. This course also looks at the relationships, cultural differences and family struggles of this legendary group of painters, through the images of their great and also, their less well-known works of art.
- Sebastien Smee, Paris in Ruins (Text in Australia: 2024)
- Anja Muhlstein, Camille Pissarro (PenguinRandomHouse: 2024)
- Relevant art exhibitions in 2025: Bendigo Art Gallery, Paris: Impressions of Life 1880
- Appreciate the paintings created by various fascinating Impressionists in Europe and Australia – and learn about some surprising facts about their lives.
- Learn about the social influences on these artists and the time in history they were working: a time of war and discover how many escaped to London and away from European turmoil.
- Discover how modern artists still learn from their works and the new techniques and styles they developed.
By the end of this course, students should be able to:
- Gain insight into the Impressionist’s way of working
- Learn about how war impacted their lives and art.
- Learn about the backgrounds of many of these artists – some of whom were born in Australia and about the birthplace of the ‘father of Impressionism,’ Pissarro in the Caribbean.
- See examples of their art and appreciate how new technologies helped them develop their practice.
