Difference Between Impressionism and Post-Impressionism

Impressionism vs Post-Impressionism
 

Impressionism and Post-impressionism are two styles of painting, between which there is some difference that distinguish them apart. Impressionism refers to the painting style that concentrated more on color and the representation of things in the real sense. On the other hand, it is firmly believed that post-impressionism developed from impressionism as an opposing agent for the belief of spontaneous and natural use of color and light in impressionism. Though they have their differences, these are two of the most beloved artistic movements in the world. They have both gifted the world with artists with remarkable talents.

What is Impressionism?

Impressionism is an art form that differed from the art forms of that time because, instead of drawing from the history or mythologies, it chose to draw from contemporary landscapes and city life. As a matter of fact, impressionist paintings were completed outdoors. It is believed that the impressionist painters completed their work in quicker time. When it comes to the way of painting, brushstrokes that were firm and small were preferred by the impressionist painters. In other words, it can be said that the impressionist painters showed softer edges in their paintings.It is believed that impressionism showed the way for several other styles of painting including Cubism and Fauvism.

Also, impressionist painters did not show much importance to emotion and sentiment and concentrated more on the subject. Also, impressionism stressed on the significance of the heat of the subject, and its portrayal in their paintings. Some famous impressionist painters include Frédéric Bazille, Edgar Degas, Claude Monet, Berthe Morisot, Camille Pissarro, Auguste Renoir, Alfred Sisley, and Mary Cassatt.

What is Post-Impressionism?

Impressionism paved the way for post-impressionism among other art forms. And, in turn, post-impressionism paved the way for modern art. This is a very important difference between the two styles of painting. However, post-impressionism did not agree with impressionism, and they gave more value to a more structured way of painting that valued symbolic content. Geometric forms were given special importance by the post-impressionist painters. Further, the painters of the post-impressionism period believed in completing their work in the studio. Also, it is believed that post-impressionists needed more time to complete their work.

Unlike the impressionist painters, the post-impressionist painters gave a lot of importance to the emotional aspect of human behavior, and this is why their paintings are laden with emotion and sentiment. The appearance of the subject was not given that much importance by the artists that belonged to the post-impressionism period. They were more into the symbolic content. Some famous post-impressionism painters include Paul Cézanne, Paul Gauguin, Vincent van Gogh, and Georges Seurat.

What is the difference between Impressionism and Post-Impressionism?

• Main focus:

• Impressionism put contemporary landscape and city life on canvas. They paid a lot of attention to light and color.

• Post-impressionism did not agree with impressionism on their emphasis on color and light. Post-impressionism followed a more formal order while favoring symbolic content.

• Place of drawing:

• As a matter of fact, impressionist paintings were completed outdoors.

• The painters of the post-impressionism period believed in completing their work in the studio.

• Inspiration:

• Impressionism paved way for post-impressionism and Cubism and Fauvism.

• Post-impressionism is believed to have paved way for modern art.

• Emotions:

• Impressionist painters did not show much importance to emotion and sentiment and concentrated more on the subject.

• Post-impressionist painters gave a lot of importance to the emotional aspect of human behavior, and this is why their paintings are laden with emotion and sentiment.

• Appearance of the subject:

• Impressionism stressed on the significance of the heat of the subject, and its portrayal in their paintings.

• The appearance of the subject was not given that much importance by the post-impressionism period artists. They were more into the symbolic content.

• Famous artists:

• Famous paintersof impressionism were Frédéric Bazille, Edgar Degas, Claude Monet, Berthe Morisot, Camille Pissarro, Auguste Renoir, Alfred Sisley, and Mary Cassatt.

• Famous painters of post-impressionism were Paul Cézanne, Paul Gauguin, Vincent van Gogh, and Georges Seurat.

These are the important differences between the two important painting styles called impressionism and post-impressionism.

Images Courtesy: Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Dance at Le Moulin de la Galette and Paul Cézanne, Still life with Soup Tureen via Wikicommons (Public Domain)