Impressionism

Impressionism

Impressionism is an artistic movement that emerged in France in the 1860s, capturing ‘on-the-spot’ moments and the transient effects of sunlight.

Rather than painting inside a studio, the Impressionists discovered they could better capture the ephemeral and ever-changing sunlight by swiftly working outdoors, directly in front of their subjects — a practice known as ‘en plein air’ (in the open air). This approach heightened their sensitivity to light, colour, and the constantly shifting aspects of the natural environment. Their brushwork became swift and fragmented, consisting of distinct dabs, aimed at conveying the fleeting nature of light.


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    Parra's studio, with Parra at the centre, his back to the camera as he works on the large painting takes centre stage, showing a faceless blue woman in a striped dress, painted in red, purple, blue and teal. The studio is full of brightly coloured paints, with a large window on the right and a patterned rug across the floor under the painting.