Impressionism is a 19th-century art trend distinguished by tiny, thin, yet discernible brush strokes and an open composition. The fundamental focus of the impressionists was on the realistic representation of light in its changing properties, commonplace subject matter, uncommon visual perspectives, and the incorporation of movement as a key part of human perception and experience.

As a consequence, there was a higher awareness of light and color, as well as the changing pattern of the natural world. Brushwork grew faster and more fragmented in order to capture the ephemeral character of light.

It is in the painting of impressionist landscapes that the art style found its strength as one of the first truly modern art movements.