Homework: Write a paper. Using Microsoft Word, write a paper of about 300 words, comparing and contrasting Impressionism and Cubism. Discuss the work of two well-known artists, one who represents Impressionism and one who represents Cubism. What is similar, what is different? Upload to Canvas. Here are some artists you can consider: Impressionists: Edouard Manet Claude Monet Berthe Morisot Mary Cassatt Cubists: Marcel Duchamp Pablo Picasso George Braque

Title: A Comparative Analysis of Impressionism and Cubism

Introduction:
Impressionism and Cubism are two prominent art movements that emerged during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, radically transforming the traditional ways of artistic representation. While Impressionism prioritized capturing fleeting moments and effects of light, Cubism challenged conventional forms and aimed to represent multiple viewpoints simultaneously. This paper aims to explore the similarities and differences between Impressionism and Cubism by discussing the works of Edouard Manet as a representative of Impressionism and Pablo Picasso as a representative of Cubism.

Impressionism:
Impressionism originated in France in the 1860s and marked a significant departure from academic art. Edouard Manet, one of the foremost Impressionist painters, rebelled against the academic tradition and sought to depict everyday life in a realistic manner. His most famous work, “Olympia” (1863), exemplifies the Impressionist style, depicting a reclining female nude in a contemporary setting. Manet’s deliberate rejection of polished techniques and his emphasis on loose brushwork gave the painting an unfinished appearance, which challenged the traditional notion of artistic perfection.

Impressionist painters like Manet sought to capture the fleeting impressions and visual effects produced by natural light. They explored the play of light and shadow and abandoned strict adherence to detail, opting instead for evocative brushwork and vibrant color palettes. The technique of painting en plein air, or outdoors, became a hallmark of the movement, allowing artists to capture the effects of natural light and atmospheric conditions. Claude Monet, another renowned Impressionist, is famous for his series of paintings depicting water lilies, such as “Water Lilies and Japanese Bridge” (1899), which portrays the interplay of light, color, and reflections on the water’s surface.

Cubism:
Cubism, on the other hand, emerged in the early 20th century as a radical departure from the representational art that preceded it. It was pioneered by Pablo Picasso and Georges Braque, who rejected the illusionistic depiction of reality and instead sought to represent objects from multiple perspectives simultaneously. Picasso’s painting “Les Demoiselles d’Avignon” (1907) is considered a groundbreaking work of Cubism. The painting depicts five female figures in a fragmented and abstracted form that challenges traditional notions of human representation.

In Cubist artworks, objects are deconstructed, fragmented, and depicted from multiple angles, providing the viewer with a more comprehensive and abstracted representation. Rather than prioritizing the realistic depiction of an object, Cubism aimed to convey different viewpoints, shapes, and planes simultaneously. This approach resulted in the use of geometric shapes, interlocking planes, and fragmented forms. Braque’s oil painting “The Portuguese” (1911) is an exemplary Cubist work, where he dissected and reassembled a musical instrument to explore its spatial representation from various angles simultaneously.

Comparative Analysis:
While both Impressionism and Cubism challenged conventional representation, they diverged in several key aspects. Impressionism aimed to capture the fleeting effects of light and atmosphere, emphasizing spontaneity and the immediacy of perception. In contrast, Cubism sought to depict objects from multiple viewpoints and break down form into geometric shapes and planes. Impressionist artists focused on creating an immersive sensory experience through loose brushwork and vibrant colors, while Cubist artists prioritized the intellectual and abstract aspects of art, emphasizing fragmentation, abstraction, and the reimagining of traditional perspectives.

In terms of subject matter, Impressionism primarily focused on landscapes, cityscapes, and everyday scenes, often depicting leisure activities and intimate domestic settings. In contrast, Cubism embraced a broader range of subject matter, including still lifes, portraits, and abstract compositions. Additionally, while Impressionism relied on naturalistic color palettes and the depiction of natural light, Cubism often employed a muted palette and fragmented forms that were more indicative of the artist’s interpretation rather than direct representation.

Conclusion:
Impressionism and Cubism marked significant shifts in artistic representation, challenging the traditional ways of perceiving and depicting the world. Through the analysis of Edouard Manet’s “Olympia” as a representative of Impressionism and Pablo Picasso’s “Les Demoiselles d’Avignon” as a representative of Cubism, it becomes clear that both movements pushed the boundaries of artistic expression. While Impressionism focused on capturing the fleeting effects of light and atmosphere, Cubism deconstructed form and presented multiple viewpoints simultaneously. Understanding the similarities and differences between these movements sheds light on the profound impact they had on the development of modern art.