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Inspiring Impressionism | Daubigny | Monet | Van Gogh


On Saturday 18th, i went to Edinburgh to the Scottish National Gallery to see an exhibition of works from the Impressionism era. It focused on three key artist, Charles Francois Daubigny, Claude Monet and Vincent Van Gogh and the mutual influence between these three artist.



I got to learn a bit of information about all three artists...

Charles Francois Daubigny

Charles Francois Daubigny was often criticised for his broad and sketch like views of nature, and was dubbed the leader of the school of impression. A writer called Theophile Gautier wrote that Daubigny "contains himself with an impression and so neglects the details. His paintings ... offer only juxtaposed patches of colour". He attracted young impressionist artists in the 1860's with his technique, inspiring artists such as Claude Monet, Camille Pissarro. His house / studio at Auvers-Sur-Oise became of moral / spiritual significance to Vincent Van Gogh.




The first painting i noticed from Charles Francois Daubigny was one called "Harvest" ( 1851 oil on canvas). This stood out to me because of the Light tones and rapid brushstrokes. I love lack of attention in the background and i think thats what gives it a "sketch like appearance"


Harvest 1851 Oil on canvas


I then moved on to his Etchings, i found this very interesting because we are doing a print making unit in college and thought this would be good to see in the flesh. 



The second framed images down are the transfer drawings for the voyage en bateau album ( 1862 ). Unfortunately I was unable to get many photos.

Claude Monet

Monet met Daubigny in 1866. Clearly a big influence in his work and i could really see the similarities in these two paintings with colour and technique...



Daubigny's Cliffs near villerville, 1864, oil on canvas 



and Monet's La pointe De :a Heve at low Tide, 1865 Oil on canvas 





I have to admit i do not know much about Claude Monet, but i do want to look more into his works, i also got overly excited to view the work of Vincent Van Gogh! and i have to say, i was blown away. Obviously i have seen his work before, but to see it in the flesh... oh my. The colour, the brush strokes the atmosphere... i couldn't believe it. THE PAINT was so thick.

 If you looked at an image of this painting ( the white orchard Van Gogh 1888, oil on canvas) you would have no idea how thick the paint was...example this image off google...





Image i took of the leaves on the tree's...





Unbelievable! it really inspired my to try my own paintings in this style and i thought it would tie in well with some of my upcoming units. Really inspiring visit and i am so happy i went! i got a chance to take a photo of paintings of fields by all three artists. 






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