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The rejection of academic standards was a central tenet of the Impressionist movement, which sought to challenge the traditional norms and conventions of academic art that prevailed in 19th-century France.
Impressionist artists rejected the rigid rules and conventions of academic art, which emphasized historical or mythological subjects, precise draftsmanship, and idealized forms. Instead, they advocated for greater freedom of expression and experimentation in artistic practice.
While academic art often idealized and romanticized its subjects, Impressionism embraced a more naturalistic and realistic approach to depicting the world. Artists sought to capture the immediacy and authenticity of everyday life, painting scenes from contemporary urban and rural environments.
Impressionist painters employed innovative techniques such as loose brushwork and broken color to convey the transient effects of light and atmosphere. These techniques stood in stark contrast to the meticulous rendering and smooth finish favored by academic artists, challenging conventional notions of realism and representation.
The practice of painting outdoors (en plein air) was another rejection of academic standards by Impressionist artists. Rather than working in the controlled environment of the studio, they ventured into nature to directly observe and capture the effects of natural light and atmosphere.
Impressionism expanded the range of acceptable subject matter in art, moving beyond historical or mythological themes to depict scenes from everyday life. Artists painted landscapes, cityscapes, seascapes, portraits, and still life, elevating the ordinary and mundane to the realm of high art.
The Salon, an annual exhibition organized by the French Academy of Fine Arts, served as the arbiter of artistic taste and standards in 19th-century France. Impressionist artists rebelled against the Salon’s conservative values and exclusionary practices, staging their own independent exhibitions to showcase their work.
Impressionism celebrated the individual vision and subjective experience of the artist, rejecting the idea of art as an imitation of nature or a mere technical skill. Artists prioritized their personal impressions and interpretations of the world, infusing their work with emotion, spontaneity, and vitality.
The rejection of academic standards in Impressionism marked a revolutionary departure from established artistic conventions, paving the way for modernism and the emergence of new artistic movements in the 20th century.