The French Impressionists (1860-1900)

A vivid portrait of the French Impressionist movement unfolds, guiding listeners from its daring beginnings in the 1860s through its flourishing turn of the century. The narrative introduces the key figures—Renoir, Monet, Manet, Degas, and their contemporaries—while illuminating how their daring brushwork and fascination with light reshaped the art world. Interwoven with lively anecdotes, the book captures the tension between avant‑garde creators and the conservative salons that initially rejected them.

What sets this volume apart is its treasure trove of fifty meticulously reproduced engravings, drawn from the private collection of the legendary dealer Durand‑Ruel. These images, described with insightful commentary, let listeners envision the very canvases that sparked controversy and admiration alike. The author also maps the critical landscape, naming the writers and exhibitions that championed—or challenged—the new style, offering a nuanced snapshot of an era where art, commerce, and public taste collided.