Rubin, James : State University of New York

There is nothing like James Rubins Impressionism. While there are brilliant discussions of individual artists like Manet or Monet, and complex treatments of the social and cultural contexts of the movement known as Impressionism, no other existing book covers all its aspects from so many diverse angles, in such a readable fashion. Until now there has been a dearth of good, well-illustrated books on Impressionism that were both intelligent and thorough enough to serve as surveys of the period in its entirety as a potential college course textbook, this one beats the rest.

-- Carol Armstrong, Department of Art History, Princeton University

A superbly insightful book that provides an original and much need synthesis of years of Impressionist scholarship.

--Nina Kallmyer, Professor of Art History, University of Delaware

A masterly sythesis of the new research surrounding the study of Impressionism For all its conceptual sophistication, Rubins book also provides numerous examples of precise and beautifully nuanced formal analyses of paintings. Highest recommendation.

--Choice

Submitted By Publisher, October, 2003

Celebrations of city streets tranquil vistas of the countryside and seashore enchanting images of the leisured classes in domestic interiors or at fashionable Parisian cafs the work of the Impressionists gives pleasure to art lovers everywhere. But while Impressionism today may appear natural and effortless, contemporaries were shocked by the loose handling of paint and the practice of painting out-of-doors. In defiance of the conservative official Salon, the Impressionists led by douard Manet, Claude Monet, Pierre-Auguste Renoir and Edgar Degas sought to capture the immediacy of experience.
This fascinating, comprehensive study brings together the most recent research on Impressionism. James Rubin makes accessible its philosophical, political and social context. As well as the acknowledged masters, our attention is drawn to lesser known Impressionists such as Berthe Morisot, Mary Cassatt and Gustave Caillebotte.

Introduction A Spectacle of Modern Pleasures
The Names of Impressionism Modernity and Form
The Artist as Subject The Paris of douard Manet
Naturalism in Plein-air Claude Monets Landscapes of Leisure
Places, People and Traditions Bazille, Pissarro and Renoir
Choreography and Science Performances by Edgar Degas
Feminine and Masculine Morisot, Cassatt and Caillebotte
Opposition or Complicity? Impressionism and Political Power
Reassessment and Renewal The Neo-Impressionist Critique
Commerce and Creativity Series and Originals
Towards an Aftermath Paul Czannes Modernism
Other Media, Other Places Legacies of Impressionism
Glossary
Brief Biographies
Key Dates
Map
Further Reading
Index
Acknowledgements