Differences between Expressionism and Impressionism

1. Differences between
Expressionism and Impressionism
By: Michael Antonello

2. Differences between Expressionism and
Impressionism
The principal of Minnesota-based financial services company Golden Valley Financial, Michael J.
Antonello spends much of his free time in creative activities. A graduate of the Curtis Institute of
Music, he has been playing the violin for more than five decades. In addition, Michael (Mike)
Antonello maintains a fine art gallery that focuses on impressionist art.

3. Differences between Expressionism and
Impressionism
Both expressionism and impressionism appeared in the art scene at around the beginning of the
20th century. Impressionism was the first movement of the two, lasting from 1867 to 1886 and
involving major artists such as Claude Monet, Pierre-Auguste Renoir, and Mary Cassatt.

4. Differences between Expressionism and
Impressionism
Impressionism captured the artist’s impression of light through spontaneous painting and small
paint strokes. Rather than mixing the colors, impressionists primarily used pure, vibrant colors in
their work and avoided harsh lines that separated the subjects. The separation was made through
contrasting colors.

5. Differences between Expressionism and
Impressionism
Expressionism appeared at around 1905 and continued until 1925. Seen largely in France and
Germany, this art movement included artists such as Henri Matisse, Edvard Munch, and Marc
Chagall.

6. Differences between Expressionism and
Impressionism
Expressionism used gestural brushstrokes, distorted subjects, and bold colors to convey the
emotions artists felt. Since the focus was on emotional expression, the colors were often arbitrary
and were not based on the natural color of the subject.