Unit 3 Art Notes - Chapter 4

Question 1

1. Impressionism is called the last phase of Realism. Explain why that is true.

Answer 1

Being the last phase of Realism was very true for Impressionism because it borrowed some of the philosophical concepts of Realist artists, the Impressionists painted contemporary, real events of modern life, and they focused on people, places, and events from their own lives.

Question 2

2. How is the visual style and subject matter of Impressionism similar and different to Rococo art?

Answer 2

The visual style and subject matter of Impressionism look so similar to Rococo art by focusing on the beauty of nature and joys of high class society that were seen as borderline frivolous and unrepresentative of normal life.

The only difference, however, between two periods of art was the bright array of pastel colors which sets it apart from the bright colors of Impressionist paintings.

Question 3

3. Why were scenes of nature, fireworks, and dancing of interest to Impressionist artists?

Answer 3

All Impressionist artists are interest of nature, fireworks, and dancing scenes because they attempted to capture fleeting optical impressions, like a sunrise, and focused on spontaneous moments of modern life.

Question 4

4. Why are Monet’s late Impressionist landscapes described as ‘abstract’ art?

Answer 4

Monet’s late Impressionist landscapes are described as ‘abstract’ art because it does not attempt to represent an accurate image of visual reality, it can be simplified or exaggerated, and an artist can use too little or too much detail.

Question 5

5. What is the meaning of Ukiyo-e? What type of subjects relate to Ukiyo-e?

Answer 5

Ukiyo-e means “pictures of the floating world”, and “floating” referred to something that was common or insignificant.

Genre subjects in ukiyo-e prints were theater actors and beautiful women who were often courtesans and entertainers.

Question 6

6. What is a color woodblock print? What was similar subject matter for French and Japanese artists?

Answer 6

Color woodblock paint is a relief print technique that using multiple wood blocks with ink and different pigments and applied to a sheet of paper to assemble the image based on shapes or areas with the same color.

The similar subject matter for French and Japanese artists was usually the common landscapes.