Renoir, Monet, Manet, and Pissaro, are among the greatest artists of all time. Known as Impressionist painters, their art was and remains one of a kind.

The art of Impressionism immersed during the late 1800s in France. It is the style in which an artist will paint an image from a glimpse or a quick glance. Impressionism can be explained as either a subject matter or the painting technique. Landscapes and scenery were painted in bright, pure colors were typical. Impressionists often painted their paintings outdoors rather indoors in a studio. With obvious rapid brushstrokes often visible, the paintings made an impression, hence the "Impressionism" period.

Some of the greatest Impressionist artists were Claude Monet, Edouard Manet, Camille Pissaro, Alfred Sistley, Berthe Morisot and Pierre Auguste Renoir from France where this style evolved.

Claude Monet enjoyed painting landscapes in subtle colors, whereas Edouard Manet fancied common objects, not scenery. Alfred Sisley liked to paint river scenes and the countryside, but Berthe Morisot enjoyed painting common women doing chores. However, a pioneer in the style, Pierre A. Renoir loved to paint the feminine beauty and women in the nude.

Of all the greats, Monet and Renoir were probably the best known. Monet has always been considered the founding father of the impressionist style. He was known as the most prolific in the genre. Renoir's impressionist nudes were his signature images with details that were suggested in brushed color, allowing the subject to blend with the surroundings as opposed to the vibrant crisp modern art of today.

One of Monet's most famous paintings and my personal favorites is the Water Lily Pond from 1899. The blues and purple blend beautifully in the greens making this a picturesque painting.

Renoir's is best known for the Bathers of 1887, of three nude women bathing in beautiful scenery, and the Umbrellas, from 1883, showing the faces of three simple women in a crowded street on a rainy day. Both simple paintings, but each made a bold statement.

To see some examples of Impressionism art, visit us at http://www.fulcrumgallery.com/c7769/impressionism.htm. 

Perhaps you can feel it in the air—or see it in the strong spring winds making the trees dance outside your window. Spring is not far away. Soon it will be warm enough to open your windows to let in all that fresh spring air—and perhaps contemplate that dreaded spring cleaning.

With all the freshness in the air, why not freshen up one or more rooms of your home with some fresh spring art? We think that landscapes are perfect for spring, as they connects us with that enticing outdoor spring weather. Here are some ideas for bringing the outdoors in with our extensive collection of landscape art.

• Take a virtual stroll in one of our spring landscapes. There are literally dozens to choose from, ranging from the traditional Springtime Valley to the more unusual desert scene of Superstition Sunset in March.
• Hang a traditional spring landscape in your home to evoke that classical feeling in your most elegant room. We have many to choose from, ranging from Monet and Van Gogh to Diane Romanello and many more.
• Take yourself outdoors with a virtual picnic. In our Spring Landscapes collection you will find many pictorial picnics, including a picnic by the sea, a picnic beside a river, and a picnic in a park, all waiting to inspire you to create a spring picnic of your own.
• Or perhaps you wish to take yourself a bit further away, with a landscape evoking your favorite escape from spring allergies. We have lots of beautiful beach and tropical landscapes to choose from.
• In the same way that spring can be coy and teasing, here one day and buried back under winter the next, you might choose one of our more abstract landscapes, that suggests spring without being so obvious about it. We suggest giving Still Waters or Ambergris a try.

Whatever your favorite style or topic, our landscape art is sure to inspire you, so take some time to enjoy wandering through our spring landscapes!