Module 7: The Impressionists & Beyond

This module explores the revolutionary developments of late 19th‑ and early 20th‑century painting — focusing on the emergence of Impressionism, its roots, its radical rejection of academic constraints, and how those innovations paved the way for modern art. You’ll study key artists, their techniques and philosophies, and the public and critical reaction that transformed art forever.

Why This Module Matters

The Impressionists and their successors challenged the conventions of academic art, altering how artists see, paint, and represent the world. Understanding this transition allows you to analyse how modern art emerged — from brushstroke and colour to light, perception and subjectivity.

• Recognise the characteristics and techniques that distinguish Impressionism and Post‑Impressionism.
• Understand how artists broke away from tradition to reflect modern life, perception and emotion.
• See how changes in society, philosophy, and technology shaped a new visual language.

By the end of Module 7, you’ll be able to place Impressionist and Post‑Impressionist works in historical context, analyse their stylistic and thematic innovations, and appreciate their lasting influence on modern art.

What You’ll Learn

• The Impressionist Revolution
  How social change, modern life and earlier art traditions set the stage for radical innovation.
• Key Impressionist Artists
  Their techniques in light, colour, brushstroke and perception that defined a movement.
• Post‑Impressionism & Beyond
  How artists built on or contested Impressionist ideas — leading into modernism.
• Public Reaction & Avant‑garde Culture
  How reception, criticism, and context shaped art’s acceptance.

What You’ll Do

• Study Key Works
  Understand how techniques like light, colour and brushwork shift from traditional realism.
• Compare Movements
  Contrast Impressionist with Post‑Impressionist works' evolution in style, mood and purpose.
• Contextual Interpretation
  Contextualise artworks within their social, economic and cultural milieu.
• Reflect on Influence
  See how this revolution shaped 20th‑century art and modern visual language.

Module Content

This module covers the following topics:

• Setting the Scene for an Artistic Revolution
• Manet
• Origins of Impressionism
• The New Painting
• Doubts Creep In
• Post‑Impressionisms
• Impressionism Once More
• Conclusion

Module Outcomes

By completing Module 7, you will:

• Understand the origins, key figures and defining traits of Impressionism and Post‑Impressionism.
• Be able to analyse artworks in terms of technique, light, colour, style, and historical context.
• Recognise how social change, modern life and avant‑garde culture influenced the emergence of modern art.
• Be prepared to interpret modern and contemporary artworks with a strong grounding in how modern art began.

Guidance Every Step of the Way

Our expert tutors provide Module 7‑specific guidance — helping you analyse Impressionist and Post‑Impressionist works, contextualise them in their social, cultural and historical settings, and recognise the significance of stylistic innovations. Through personalised feedback, they’ll support your growth in visual literacy, deepen your understanding of modern art’s roots, and build your confidence in interpreting avant‑garde artworks with insight and clarity.