1874: The Birth of Impressionism
In 1874, two big art shows happened in Paris. One was new and small, the other was old and huge. A painting called "Impression, Sunrise" gave a new art style its name: Impressionism.
What is it?
This exhibit tells the story of two important exhibitions in Paris in 1874. On April 15, a group of young artists who called themselves the "Anonymous Society of Painters, Sculptors, Engravers, etc." held their own independent exhibition in a commercial space. They showed about 200 works by 31 artists. About 3,500 people came — mostly friends, critics, and collectors. One of the paintings was Claude Monet's "Impression, Sunrise," which gave the new art movement its name: Impressionism.
Just two weeks later, on May 1, the official Salon opened at the Palais de l'Industrie, only a mile away. The Salon had been the biggest annual art exhibition since the 1600s. In 1874, it attracted over 500,000 visitors and showed 3,701 works by more than 2,000 artists. The top prize went to Jean-Léon Gérôme's "L'Éminence Grise."
Who used it?
The Impressionist exhibition was organized by artists who were tired of the Salon's strict rules. They wanted to show art that reflected modern life, with bright colors and quick brushstrokes. The Salon was run by the French government and the Académie des Beaux-Arts. It favored traditional, polished art.
When and where?
Both exhibitions happened in Paris in 1874. The Impressionist show was at 35 Boulevard des Capucines. The Salon was at the Palais de l'Industrie on the Champs-Élysées.
What does it tell us?
This moment shows a big change in the art world. The Impressionists were brave to start their own exhibition. Over time, the Salon became less important, and Impressionism became one of the most beloved art styles. It tells us that new ideas can win, even if they start small.
Compared to today
Today, museums like the Musée d'Orsay in Paris display Impressionist paintings as masterpieces. Back in 1874, many people laughed at them. It's a reminder that what is popular can change.
Connections
Next to find
- Look for another painting by Monet and see if you can spot the quick brushstrokes.
- Find out what other artists were in the first Impressionist exhibition (like Renoir, Degas, or Pissarro).
- Compare an Impressionist painting with a Salon painting from the same year — how are they different?
1874年：印象派的诞生
1874年，巴黎举办了两个大型艺术展。一个是新的、小的，另一个是旧的、巨大的。一幅名为《印象·日出》的画作给一种新的艺术风格起了名字：印象派。
这是什么？
这个展品讲述了1874年巴黎两个重要展览的故事。4月15日，一群年轻艺术家组成了“无名画家、雕塑家、雕刻家协会”，在一个商业场所举办了他们自己的独立展览。他们展出了31位艺术家的约200件作品。大约3500人前来参观——主要是朋友、评论家和收藏家。其中一幅画是克洛德·莫奈的《印象·日出》，它给了新的艺术运动一个名字：印象派。
仅仅两周后，5月1日，官方沙龙在工业宫开幕，距离那里只有一英里。沙龙自17世纪以来一直是最大的年度艺术展览。1874年，它吸引了超过50万访客，展出了2000多位艺术家的3701件作品。最高奖项颁给了让-莱昂·热罗姆的《灰衣主教》。
谁使用了它？
印象派展览由厌倦了沙龙严格规则的艺术家组织。他们想展示反映现代生活的艺术，用明亮的色彩和快速的笔触。沙龙由法国政府和美术学院管理，它偏爱传统、精致的艺术。
何时何地？
两个展览都于1874年在巴黎举行。印象派展览在卡普西纳大道35号。沙龙在香榭丽舍大街的工业宫。
它告诉我们什么？
这一时刻显示了艺术界的巨大变化。印象派画家勇敢地举办了自己的展览。随着时间的推移，沙龙变得不那么重要，而印象派成为最受欢迎的艺术风格之一。它告诉我们，新想法即使从小处开始，也能获胜。
与今天相比
今天，像巴黎奥赛博物馆这样的博物馆将印象派画作作为杰作展出。而在1874年，许多人嘲笑它们。这提醒我们，流行的事物是可以改变的。
关联
下一步寻找
- 寻找莫奈的另一幅画，看看你是否能发现快速的笔触。
- 找出第一届印象派展览中还有哪些艺术家（比如雷诺阿、德加或毕沙罗）。
- 比较一幅印象派画作和同年的一幅沙龙画作——它们有什么不同？