A groundbreaking movement that originated in [[Paris]] in the 1860s–1870s, capturing fleeting effects of light, color, and atmosphere through loose brushwork and plein air painting. Key figures include [[Claude Monet]]—whose [[Bridge over a Pond of Water Lilies - Claude Monet (1899)|Bridge over a Pond of Water Lilies]] and [[Water Lilies - Claude Monet (1914)|Water Lilies]] capture the movement's devotion to light and atmosphere—[[Pierre-Auguste Renoir]], [[Edgar Degas]], whose [[The Dance Class - Edgar Degas (1874)|The Dance Class]] exemplifies the Impressionist eye for modern Parisian life, and [[Berthe Morisot]]. It broke from the rigid conventions of [[Neoclassicism]] and academic painting, favoring direct observation of modern life and nature over idealized historical subjects.