Founder of Impressionism: Manet

Author: He Zhengguang, Editor-in-Chief
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2003-01-01
Features: The emergence of Impressionism in the 19th century was a pivotal turning point in the history of Western art. The founder of this movement was the French painting master—Manet, who advocated "art for art's sake." Although he never actually participated in Impressionist exhibitions, his innovative artistic approach profoundly influenced painters such as Monet, Cézanne, and Van Gogh, guiding painting toward the path of modernism. Influenced by Japanese ukiyo-e and Spanish styles, Manet boldly adopted vibrant colors, abandoned the intermediate tones of traditional painting, and liberated art from the constraints of pursuing three-dimensional spatial realism. This marked a revolutionary step toward two-dimensional, flat compositions. Additionally, Manet treated his subjects and compositions with a naturalistic imagination, avoiding deliberate beautification. Instead, he favored clear, calm scenes with evenly distributed light, showcasing a harmonious, lucid, and minimalist style. Manet's bold innovations during his artistic career had a far-reaching impact, making him a figure of great significance in the history of art.