Includes bibliographical references.

Impressionism changed the way audiences perceived painting. With images and information about the movement's leading figures, tracing its development as different artists took up the challenge of redefining light and space in two dimensions, this text reveals the role of recent scientific discoveries, the changing landscape of Paris, and how audiences reacted to this seismic shift. The work of Manet, Monet, Renoir, Pissarro, Sisley, Caillebotte, Degas, Morisot, Seurat and others are given special attention, with generous, full-page illustrations of their masterpieces. Chronologically arranged, the book provides important biographical detail on the artists and describes historic events in the context of the latest scholarship. It also includes suggestions for further reading.