HOW TO LOOK SLOWLY: IMPRESSIONISM

Looking slowly at an Impressionist painting might at first seem counterintuitive, since one of the concepts associated with Impressionism is that the artist captures quickly in paint a fleeting, fugitive moment. Although their works frequently appear to have been painted speedily, in reality, this was not always the case. The Impressionists’ works were often the result of careful observation and planning and their paintings invite us to dwell on and enjoy the evocation of a transitory effect.

Looking slowly at an Impressionist painting is to engage with the idea of seeing a moment which in lived existence might pass unnoticed, but one which the artist was keen to represent to produce visual pleasure. In order to appreciate the artist’s work, we need to look slowly. Touches of paint, punctuations of colour and varied textures come alive with sustained looking.

This presentation looks at a small selection of works in order to experience Impressionism with particular attention to the innovations of the style and the development of visual analysis skills.

Joanne Rhymer

Since completing an MA at University College London (UCL) in the History of Art: Modernism and the Politics of Representation (1997), Jo has been employed in various roles at the National Gallery including Adult Learning Officer and the Head of Adult Learning Programmes. In a freelance capacity, she has worked in prestigious learning departments in London galleries and museums including Tate, the Hayward Gallery and the National Portrait Gallery as well as leading group excursions in the UK and abroad.

She is currently a Panel Tutor for the Institute of Continuing Education at the University of Cambridge and teaches for the Wallace Collection and the V&A as well as a range of private institutions.

Her areas of specialism include 19th century and early 20th century French art, and her interests include the visual skills involved in sustained looking at paintings.