noun / adjective
impressionist
im-PRESH-uh-nist/ɪmˈpreʃənɪst/
An artist or artistic style emphasizing impressions rather than exact detail.
The impressionist uses broken brushstrokes to capture sunlight on water.
Etymology
The French label began as a disparaging reference to Monet’s painting titled “Impression, Soleil Levant.” It described painting that captures a scene’s first visual effect rather than its exact details.
In context
we're now moving on to another impressionist paul cezanne and um suzanne's technique is somewhat different
More examples
- She admired the impressionist treatment of the garden.
- An impressionist work hung beside a more detailed portrait.
- The exhibit traced the careers of several impressionists.
Forms
impressionist · impressionists
Similar words
- realist
- A realist seeks recognizable, convincing detail; an impressionist emphasizes perceived light, color, or overall effect.
- expressionist
- An expressionist emphasizes emotional distortion; an impressionist often focuses on immediate sensory impressions.