En Plein Air
A French phrase meaning "in the open air," used to describe painting outdoors.
What is it?
En plein air is a way of painting where the artist works outside, not in a studio. This was a key practice of the Impressionists. They wanted to capture the changing light and colors of nature directly. Monet often painted en plein air, including for "Impression, Sunrise." He set up his easel by the harbor to paint the sunrise as it happened.
Why it matters
Painting en plein air allowed artists to see and paint the true colors of light and atmosphere. It made their paintings feel more alive and real. This practice changed how artists worked and led to new styles.
Where you've seen it
This list grows as you capture more objects painted en plein air.