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The sense of authenticity in en plein air painting during the Impressionism art period stemmed from several factors.
Impressionist artists painted directly from nature, capturing scenes as they appeared in real life. This direct observation allowed them to convey the authentic atmosphere, light, and color of outdoor environments. By working en plein air, artists could respond to the nuances of their surroundings, resulting in paintings that felt genuine and immediate.
Impressionist painters sought to capture the fleeting effects of light and atmosphere. They often worked quickly, employing spontaneous brushwork to convey the transitory nature of their subjects. By capturing these ephemeral moments, Impressionists created paintings that felt authentic to the lived experience of the natural world.
In addition to depicting the visual characteristics of their subjects, Impressionist artists aimed to convey the emotional truth of a scene. By infusing their work with personal expression and subjective interpretation, they created paintings that felt authentic and resonant to viewers. This emphasis on capturing the mood and atmosphere of a scene contributed to the sense of authenticity in Impressionist en plein air painting.
Despite their departure from academic conventions, Impressionist painters still sought to achieve a sense of naturalism in their work. Through careful observation and skillful technique, they rendered landscapes, seascapes, and other outdoor scenes with a remarkable degree of fidelity. This commitment to naturalistic representation contributed to the authenticity of their paintings.
While striving for authenticity, Impressionist artists also embraced innovative techniques and approaches to painting. Their use of loose brushwork, broken color, and unconventional compositions challenged traditional notions of realism, yet their paintings still conveyed a sense of authenticity through their ability to capture the essence of a scene.
Overall, the sense of authenticity in Impressionist en plein air painting arose from the artists’ commitment to direct observation, their ability to convey fleeting moments and emotional truth, and their innovative approaches to technique. These factors combined to produce paintings that felt genuine, immediate, and true to the experience of the natural world.