Monsieur Monet, you have left an Impression on me!

Last night I saw the second part of the magnificent BBC program called “The Impressionists”, which is a three part factual drama vividly telling the story of some of the painters in 1870’s France.
The story tells about rivalries, romance, and a struggle for recognition – a unique insight into the world of the Impressionist painters.
To modern eyes, Impressionist paintings possess a familiar, well-loved beauty - Monet's exquisite water lilies, Renoir's smiling girls, Degas' delicate ballerinas.
However, to most people (and especially art critics) of that time, Impressionist paintings were seen as scandalous and heretical.

On their first appearance in Paris in the 1870s, the paintings caused outrage in the art world, were viciously denounced by critics and rejected by the public. "They have declared war on beauty," wrote one critic.
It was many years before this opinion would change.
This tale of poverty and of a struggle for recognition, set against a backdrop of war and revolution is counterbalanced by the brotherhood of artists, bound by enduring friendships and their commitment to a new type of art.

The story is led by the paintings. Some of the world's most memorable art works are recreated here following the same techniques that the artists used at the time.

Monet with his vision for paintings that capture the images, energy and light of the modern world

Bazille, the little known genius who died too soon to enjoy the movement's success

Renoir, an irrepressible lover and painter of women in (mostly nude) poses of everyday activities, such as ‘exiting a bath’

Manet, whose work was Monet's first inspiration, but was censored by society

Degas, who captured the back stage reality of the ballet world and last but not least

Cézanne, whose innovative work determined the path of modern art

Personally speaking what touched me most was the passion of these painters who saw beauty in everything, from the ordinary to the extreme.

Monet, for example, being fascinated by the different ‘colour tones’ of the locomotive steam at the station. It also amazed me how narrow-minded and opinionated the art critics and potential buyers of that time were.
It caused me to look inside myself and realise that I am just like that in many respect and that I should really suspend judgement more often.

Not all of us have the gift to paint or draw but most of us have the gift of sight, including me.

Should we not look for beauty in all we see??

Pictures (top to bottom): Bazille, Manet, Degas, Cezanne, Renoir, Monet