Impressionism
Visit this National Gallery of Art site to read a brief overview of Impressionsm and then take a tour of paintings from the period. Based on your reading and viewing explain how the artists began to use the environmental effects of color to express a new view of the world.

The First Impressionist Exhibition, 1874
The Impressionists launched their first exhibition in 1874. Critics were not happy with what they called a "sloppy" new art form. Select an artist and then go to critics to read the reactions. Select five paintings and record your own responses to them. If you like, you can also respond to the critics' opinions.