A lively text that introduces the work of the Impressionists. Drawn together by a common desire to bring a new kind of realism to painting, these artists employed a revolutionary treatment of colour and light, creating a breadth of expression, mood and atmosphere. This book offers a comprehensive overview of the entire Impressionist movement, and contains illustrations reproducing the works of such artists as Cezanne, Degas, Gaugin, Monet, Renior and Van Gogh, with explanatory commentary for each work of art and biographies of each of the artists.