Impressionism and Expressionism Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Impressionism and Expressionism - Essay Example The essay "Impressionism and Expressionism" examines impressionism and expressionism. Vincent van Gogh and Jozef Israels have pieces of art that portray such styles. While in Nuenen, Holland at his father’s lodge, Vincent composed â€Å"Potato Eaters.† This painting is the first of his works that reveals influences from the farmhand descriptions of Jozef Israels. In â€Å"Potato Eaters,† Vincent even reveals this influence and defines Israels as the "the Dutch Millet.† Vincent reveals his admiration for a painter of anglers and small-scale farmers who he referred to as â€Å"Dutch Millets.† Between Vincent’s â€Å"Potato Eaters† and Israels’ â€Å"Peasant Family at Table,† Vincent was clearly inspired to compose his own idea of a small-scale farmer’s dinner setting. In terms of composition styles, â€Å"Potato Eaters† reflects Israels’ subject and style of art. At the same time, â€Å"Potato Eatersâ⠂¬  has darker shades, animpasto paint textures, and more inspiration from Rembrandt’s tenebrism. Tenebrism is a style of portraiture used by Caravaggio and his successors wherein several objects are vibrant in terms of color while the rest of the painting has dense shadows. Tenebrism remains an impressionist style of painting. In â€Å"Potato Eaters,† the point of view is skewed. The askew nature of the painting shows Vincent’s naivetà © and originality at the same time. This is also a major similarity between â€Å"Potato Eaters† and Israels’ â€Å"Peasant Family at Table.†