Impressionism at Orsay – How to Read Light and Brushwork

Core Moves

• Broken Color: Small strokes that optically mix at distance.
• Soft Edges: Objects merge with atmosphere; focus on transitions.
• Everyday Subjects: Cafés, rivers, dance classes — modern life, not myth.

Reading Exercises

Artists in Focus

• Monet: Morning vs evening light; compare sky color to water reflections.
• Renoir: Warm palettes and social scenes; identify focal clusters.
• Degas: Movement and off-center framing; draftsmanship beneath color.

Image Highlights

Bottom Line

Switch distance frequently; Impressionism resolves through motion — of light and of the viewer.