I loved Suzanne Blaney’s Impressionism: Inspiration & Evolution! The book not only highlights the unique approach of each artist, but also describes how deeply they challenged the controlling traditional Salons; the context of war and political tides swirling around them; and how they drew strength from one another, sparked American Impressionists, and ultimately opened the floodgates in the world of art.
The book’s themes of evolution and inspiration reveal how the artists’ personal styles evolved in their different cultures, how they helped younger artists develop in new directions, and how they created groups to encourage and showcase expressive innovation. As they inspired one another then, they can inspire current readers as artists of media and of life.
Ms. Blaney’s own work as an artist informs her ability to describe the lively brushwork of these painters, even down to how they took risks with their flagship pigments. Her descriptions make it easy for the reader to flow from one artist and influence to another, noticing the paintings’ “sensual response to color, light and movement.” Equally enticing, her words are paired with museum artwork, richly portrayed on the pages.
This book is not only for the serious art student, but also for people like me, who love the Impressionists but may not have known how many artists blossomed in this generative movement. Impressionism: Inspiration & Evolution makes the Impressionists’ world come alive, reflecting its beauty and depth, and giving a new sense of reality to the viewer’s eye.
Rev. Dr. Betsy Schwarzentraub
Art enthusiast and author of Growing Generous Souls
