Impressionist painters at a glance
Vincent van Gogh (1853–1890) is the most famous Impressionist painter, best known for Starry Night (New York, MoMA) and Cafe Terrace on the Place du Forum, Arles, at Night. Then Claude Monet, Paul Cézanne, Paul Gauguin and Édouard Manet. The list covers 100 painters born between 1817 and 1913 in 22 countries, from Charles-François Daubigny to Amrita Sher-Gil.
Method. Scope: artists filed under Impressionist in our catalogue. Order: our artist fame ranking. Excluded: artists born after 1955 without a Wikidata identifier. Wikipedia figure: languages with an article, out of our 32.
Key data
Ranked list
1/ 100
b. Zundert Wikipedia 32/32
He moved through the circles of the avant-garde, meeting figures such as Émile Bernard and Paul Gauguin. Later, in 1890, he painted The Church at Auvers, capturing the architecture of the village under a wide, open sky.
Location To see the physical traces of his brushwork, one can travel to several specific collections.
2/ 100
French b. Paris Impressionism Wikipedia 32/32
He was the most consistent and prolific practitioner of the movement's core philosophy, which sought to express a person's perceptions of nature. His 1873 painting, Impression, Sunrise, provided the name for the Impressionist movement, even as its loose handling and indistinct forms initially drew scorn from the establishment.
Trained by Eugène Louis Boudin #21, Johan Jongkind #27
3/ 100
French b. Aix-en-Provence Post-Impressionism Wikipedia 32/32
The rejection from the École des Beaux-Arts was a setback, yet it led him to the Académie Suisse, where he could continue his development away from the rigid constraints of the academy. Between 1867 and 1870, he produced The Murder, a work characterized by a turbulent body of water and a nightmarish atmosphere.
Location The physical presence of his vision remains scattered across several major institutions, allowing the viewer to trace his evolution from the dark, expressive brushwork of his youth to the structured clarity of his later years.
4/ 100
French b. Paris ['Post-Impressionist', 'Symbolist', 'Synthetism', 'Primitivism'] Wikipedia 32/32
In 1887, a shift in scenery brought him to Panama and Martinique alongside Charles Laval. Similarly, The Loss of Virginity, also known as The Awakening of Spring, invites viewers into a liminal space where the boundaries between the human soul and the natural world appear to dissolve.
Location In Paris, the Musée d'Orsay preserves a significant portion of his output, offering a glimpse into the evolution of his color and form.
Trained by Camille Pissarro #11
5/ 100
French b. former 10th arrondissement of Paris Realism, Impressionism, Avant-garde Wikipedia 31/32
Instead of smoothing away the evidence of the brush, there is a visible, energetic application of pigment known as facture. In 1867, he painted The Execution of the Emperor Maximilian of Mexico.
Trained Eva Gonzalès #50
6/ 100
French b. Paris Realism Wikipedia 32/32
Light in a Degas composition is rarely natural. Scene from the Steeplechase: The Fallen Jockey, 1866.
Location The traces of Degas's observation remain scattered across major institutions, preserved in the quiet halls of Paris and beyond.
7/ 100
French b. Limoges Impressionism Wikipedia 32/32
Dance at Le Moulin de la Galette, 1876. This period of experimentation led to the lively energy found in Dance at Le Moulin de la Galette, painted in 1876.
Location The distribution of his canvases across the globe reflects the widespread reach of his influence.
8/ 100
French b. former 5th arrondissement of Paris ['Neo-Impressionism', 'Post-Impressionism', 'Pointillism', 'Divisionism', 'Chromoluminarism'] Wikipedia 30/32
By utilizing Divisionism, he separated local color into individual dots, relying on the viewer’s eye to achieve optical blending. In Young Woman Powdering Herself (1889-1890), he applied his technique to a single subject, exploring the artifice of human vanity through a highly constructed setting.
9/ 100
French b. Bourges Impressionism Wikipedia 30/32
Berthe Morisot was born on 14 January 1841 in Bourges, France. In 1872, Morisot painted The Cradle, an oil on canvas that captures her sister Edma watching over her sleeping daughter, Blanche.
Location To see her brushwork in person, one might start in Paris.
10/ 100
French b. Albi Post-Impressionism Wikipedia 31/32
La Goulue Arriving at the Moulin Rouge with Two Women. Other significant works include Divan Japonais and La Passagère du 54, ou Promenade en Yacht, created in 1896.
Location The Musée Toulouse-Lautrec, housed within the Palais de la Berbie, maintains the most significant collection, containing over 1000 works that trace his evolution from an aristocratic youth to a chronicler of the Parisian night.
11/ 100
Danish-French b. Charlotte Amalie ['Impressionism', 'Neo-Impressionism', 'Post-Impressionism'] Wikipedia 31/32
This curiosity extends into his later years when he engages with Neo-Impressionism. By 1872, his gaze turned to the architecture of the outskirts in The House of Monsieur Musy, Route de Marly, Louveciennes.
Location The weight of Pissarro's influence is felt most heavily in Paris.
Trained Paul Gauguin #4
12/ 100
British b. former 4th arrondissement of Paris Impressionism Wikipedia 31/32
His path took him through Paris and Louveciennes, and he spent significant time in Marly-le-Roi, Sèvres, Veneux-les-Sablons, and Moret-sur-Loing. In 1870, he produced The Saint Martin Canal in Paris, a work that reflects his early interest in the waterways of the city.
Location In Paris, his presence is felt strongly within the Musée d'Orsay, which holds a significant number of his canvases.
13/ 100
American b. Florence Impressionism Wikipedia 27/32
In 1874, at the age of eighteen, Sargent entered the Paris studio of Carolus-Duran. These works demonstrate a technical flexibility that allowed him to transition from the heavy, formal requirements of a commission to the light-filled atmosphere of a garden or a dance. 1882: El Jaleo. 1885: Carnation, Lily, Lily, Rose.
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French b. Paris Neo-Impressionism, Pointillism Wikipedia 29/32
Instead, he adopted a technique known as Pointillism, or Divisionism, where he applied tiny, distinct dots of pure color directly onto the surface. His 1886 work, Boulevard de Clichy, captures a winter scene in Paris, where the snowy boulevard is rendered through the meticulous application of small dots of pure color.
Location The Musée d'Orsay holds nine of his works, offering a significant gathering of his vision.
15/ 100
French b. Fontenay-aux-Roses Post-Impressionism, Intimism, Les Nabis Wikipedia 27/32
He was a leading figure in the transition from Impressionism to Modernism, navigating the space between the fleeting light of the previous generation and the more structured, subjective explorations of the new century. His late work continued this exploration until the very end; The Almond Tree in Blossom, painted about 1946, remains a significant example of his preoccupation with the interplay of light and nature.
Location The physical presence of Bonnard’s vision remains scattered across several major institutions, allowing his specific approach to light and domesticity to be studied in various contexts.
16/ 100
American b. Allegheny Impressionism Wikipedia 32/32
Her training expands as she moves through Courance and Écouen, studying under Édouard Frère and Paul Soyer. In 1883, Lady at the Tea Table appears in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, capturing a quiet, private ritual through a sophisticated palette of muted creams, deep browns, and luminous blue accents.
17/ 100
b. Lille Wikipedia 28/32
Key Relationship: A pivotal moment came in August 1886 when he met Paul Gauguin in Pont-Aven. Religious works such as “ The Adoration of the Shepherds ” demonstrating his exploration of symbolic themes.
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French b. Montpellier Impressionism Wikipedia 28/32
While sharing their fascination with plein air painting – working outdoors to directly capture the nuances of natural light – his compositions often exhibited a more structured quality than Monet’s or Renoir’s.
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French b. Paris Realism and Impressionism Wikipedia 26/32
His technique often felt closer to the heavy, grounded depictions of Courbet or Millet than the atmospheric experiments of Monet or Morisot. Similarly, The Bather, or The Diver (1877) demonstrates his ability to handle light and atmosphere without sacrificing the structural integrity of the subject.
Location The Musée d'Orsay holds a substantial portion of his output, including the large-scale Boating Party and the gritty, realistic The Floor Scrapers.
20/ 100
Spanish b. Valencia Luminism, Impressionism, Social Realism Wikipedia 27/32
There is a certain dexterity in how he handled the landscape, often placing people within a bright, Spanish sun that seems to dissolve the boundaries between the sea and the sky. The work brought him a level of recognition that would change his life, leading to him being named a Knight of the Legion of Honour in 1900.
Location For those wishing to walk through the spaces that shaped his life, the Museo Sorolla in Madrid offers a rare glimpse into his private world.
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French b. Honfleur Precursor to Impressionism Wikipedia 26/32
In 1835, the family moved to Le Havre, where his father opened a shop that sold stationery and picture frames. In 1867, he painted Honfleur, the Saint Catherine Market Place, a work that captures the activity of a village scene.
Location In Paris, the Musée d’Orsay preserves several of his canvases, allowing viewers to stand before the very brushstrokes that once inspired a generation of painters.
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French b. Bessines-sur-Gartempe Post-Impressionism Wikipedia 27/32
For nearly a decade, Valadon worked as an artist’s model, posing for prominent figures like Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, and Edgar Degas.
Trained Maurice Utrillo #28
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French b. Granville Nabis, Symbolism Wikipedia 26/32
Initially inspired by the vibrant colors and flattened forms of Gauguin and Japanese prints, he later turned towards the more structured compositions of Paul Cézanne, seeking a new form of classicism rooted in modern sensibilities.
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French b. Cuiseaux Les Nabis, Intimism Wikipedia 23/32
In 1885, he began taking courses at the Académie Julian, and he frequently frequented the studios of William-Adolphe Bouguereau and Robert-Fleury to refine his technique. The Salon of Madame Aron (1904, reworked 1934).
Location The quiet, patterned interiors that defined his career are preserved in several major international collections.
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Hungarian-Indian b. Budapest Modern Indian art, Avant-garde Wikipedia 20/32
Amrita Sher-Gil’s style is instantly recognizable for its bold use of color, simplified forms, and expressive figures. Young Girls (1932): A pivotal early work that brought her international recognition.
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French b. Paris Barbizon School, Impressionism precursor Wikipedia 28/32
He studied under Jean-Victor Bertin, Jacques Raymond Brascassat, and Paul Delaroche. In 1851, he completed The Harvest, a work now held at the Musée d'Orsay in Paris.
Location Walking through the Musée d'Orsay in Paris, one finds much of his output.
27/ 100
Dutch b. Lattrop Impressionism forerunner Wikipedia 19/32
Jongkind entered the studios of Eugène Isabey and François-Édouard Picot, immersing himself in the French art scene.
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French b. 18th arrondissement of Paris Post-Impressionism, School of Paris Wikipedia 25/32
He was not interested in the bright colors of a bustling city, but rather in the quiet, pale light that settled on the stone and mortar of the buildings. 1910: place pigalle. 1913: The Lapin Agile [Le Lapin Agile]. 1917: Rue Saint-Vincent and the Lapin Agile. One such place was the Lapin Agile, a cabaret in Montmartre that served as a gathering point for many artists and writers.
Location To experience the quiet, textured streets of Montmartre through his eyes, one can travel to several major institutions.
Trained by Suzanne Valadon #22
29/ 100
Swedish b. Mora Parish Impressionism Wikipedia 28/32
The luminosity of Spanish masters like Velázquez resonated in his handling of light and shadow, while the directness and realism of Scandinavian naturalism informed his approach to subject matter.
30/ 100
Swiss and French b. Lannes Post-Impressionism, Symbolism, Les Nabis
His style blended elements of Post-Impressionism and Symbolism, often resulting in a look that felt both modern and strangely still. In 1892, he produced The Sick Girl, a work that reflects his ability to handle human subjects with a sense of realism.
Location To encounter the quiet tension of Vallotton’s interiors, one might travel to the Cantonal Museum of Fine Arts in Lausanne, Switzerland, where The Red Room is kept.
31/ 100
German b. Berlin Impressionism Wikipedia 27/32
Recognizing the stifling constraints imposed by the traditional art establishment, he became a driving force behind the Berlin Secession in 1898, leading this avant-garde group for over a decade.
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German b. Gvardeysk Impressionism & Expressionism Wikipedia 24/32
Paintings like “In the Slaughterhouse” (1878), with its unflinching depiction of animal carcasses, demonstrate this commitment to realistic representation, yet even here, a nascent emotional intensity begins to surface. Female Semi-Nude with Hat (1906): Demonstrates Corinth’s ability to blend classical motifs with impressionistic techniques, creating a sensuous and psychologically compelling portrait.
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Russian b. Saint Petersburg Impressionism, Art Nouveau Wikipedia 27/32
His portrait of Maxim Gorky (1904) exemplifies this shift, presenting a powerful and unconventional depiction of the writer as a man of the people. He absorbed influences from the Old Masters during visits to European museums, studying Rembrandt, Velázquez, and Veronese, learning their techniques for rendering light, shadow, and texture.
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Danish b. Stavanger Realism, Impressionism Wikipedia 24/32
Born in 1851 in Stavanger, Norway, Krøyer’s early life was marked by an unusual upbringing; raised not by his biological mother but by her sister and brother-in-law, the Danish zoologist Henrik Nikolai Krøyer, he found himself transplanted to Copenhagen and immersed in a world of scientific inquiry alongside artistic cultivation. Krøyer became central to this community, forging close friendships with artists like Michael and Anna Ancher, and writer Holger Drachmann.
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Italian b. Ferrara Impressionism, Belle Époque Wikipedia 20/32
Boldini’s brushwork possessed a restless, kinetic energy that earned him the moniker "Master of Swish." His method relied on a sophisticated tension between precision and spontaneity. In his 1884 work, The Mondona Singer, he utilized impasto brushstrokes—a combination of short staccato marks and smooth, flowing legato passages—to evoke the sound of music.
Location In Ferrara, Italy, the Museo Giovanni Boldini resides within the Palazzo Massari.
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Canadian b. Claremont Canadian Modernism Wikipedia 18/32
This period proved formative; it wasn’t merely about acquiring technical proficiency in penmanship and design at firms like Maring & Ladd, but also about encountering individuals who would later become central figures in the burgeoning Canadian art scene – J.E.H.
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b. Blenheim Palace Wikipedia 32/32
A chance encounter with Sir John Lavery, who encouraged him to pick up a brush during a holiday in France, ignited a lifelong pursuit that would see him create over 500 canvases.
38/ 100
Danish b. Skagen Impressionism, Nordic art Wikipedia 22/32
However, it was her time studying in Paris, at the atelier of Pierre Puvis de Chavannes alongside Marie Triepcke (later Krøyer), that broadened her artistic horizons.
39/ 100
French b. Saint Petersburg Impressionism Wikipedia 21/32
As the 19th century gave way to the 20th, Béraud’s work remained a steadfast anchor for the aesthetic values of his time.
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Norwegian b. Christiania Impressionism Wikipedia 18/32
Born Johan Frederik Thaulow in Oslo (then Christiania) in 1847, he wasn’t simply influenced by the French movement; he actively participated in it, bringing a distinctly Scandinavian sensibility to its exploration of light, atmosphere, and modern life.
41/ 100
Canadian b. Victoria Modernism, Post-Impressionism
A pivotal moment in her development came through her encounters with the First Nations communities along the British Columbia coast. Kispiox Village (oil): An iconic painting that embodies Carr's unique style and her deep connection to the landscapes and communities of British Columbia.
42/ 100
American b. Dorchester American Impressionism Wikipedia 15/32
His path took him through the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, France, Italy, Switzerland, and Spain. Between 1916 and 1919, he turned his attention to the American flag, producing a series of paintings that documented the patriotic fervor of the era.
Location The physical presence of Hassam’s vision remains scattered across several significant American institutions.
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French b. Beaune Barbizon School & Orientalist art Wikipedia 18/32
The historical significance of Félix Ziem lies in his role as a transitional master.
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Italian b. Arco Symbolism, Divisionism Wikipedia 19/32
Key Influences: His work was significantly influenced by Anton Mauve and Jean-François Millet, introduced to him through Vittorio Grubicy de Dragon, who became his advisor and dealer. Early Success: His painting "The Chancel of Sant'Antonio" gained recognition for its powerful quality and was acquired by Milan’s Società per le Belle Arti.
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French b. Paris Post-Impressionism, Nabis, Synthetism Wikipedia 21/32
In works like Celtic Tale (1894), this method produces an arresting visual effect through the use of intensified colors. In 1890, he produced Portrait of Paul Ranson, a work that solidified his presence within his artistic circle.
Location It holds The Talisman, the work that defined his early departure from academicism.
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British b. London Bloomsbury Group, Modernism Wikipedia 17/32
Vanessa Bell, born Vanessa Stephen in 1879 London, was a pivotal figure in the early 20th-century British art scene.
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Russian b. Moscow Impressionism Wikipedia 23/32
Polenov introduced Korovin to Savva Mamontov's Abramtsevo Circle, a haven for artists, craftsmen, and intellectuals dedicated to fostering a uniquely Russian artistic identity.
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French b. Douai Neo-Impressionism Wikipedia 21/32
Simultaneously, recurring bouts of rheumatism led him to seek solace in the warmer climate of southern France, beginning in 1883 and culminating in a permanent settlement in Saint-Clair in 1891. Several works stand out as particularly representative of Cross’s artistic vision: Before the Storm (aka The Storm): A quintessential example of his Neo-Impressionist landscapes, capturing dramatic skies and hinting at underlying anarchist themes.
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Belgian b. Sint-Eloois-Vijve Luminism, Impressionism Wikipedia 15/32
The move to Zonneschijn (“Sunshine”), a charming cottage near Deinze in 1883, proved to be a crucial turning point. Similarly, The Beet Harvest (1890) showcases his masterful use of broken brushstrokes and vibrant hues to convey the energy and drama of rural labor.
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French b. Paris Impressionism Wikipedia 20/32
Her painting Une loge aux théâtre italiens (1874), rejected by the Salon jury for its "masculine vigor" – ironically questioning its authenticity as a woman's work – demonstrates a boldness and compositional strength that defied expectations.
Trained by Édouard Manet #5
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Swedish b. Uppsala Cathedral Assembly Impressionism, Wildlife art Wikipedia 17/32
However, a period of travel across Europe—Düsseldorf, Venice, Florence, Rome, and Paris—proved transformative.
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American b. Nineveh American Impressionism Wikipedia 13/32
Chase’s technical evolution reveals a deliberate shift from the heavy, dark tonalities of his Munich training toward the light-filled clarity of French Impressionism. Even in his more abstract explorations, such as A Study in Curves, the intent remained focused on the physical properties of the subject rather than mere decoration.
Location Chase’s presence in major American collections remains substantial, ensuring his technical influence is physically accessible to anyone studying the evolution of American Impressionism.
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French b. Paris Impressionism Wikipedia 22/32
Born Jean-Baptiste Armand Guillaumin on February 16, 1841, in Paris, the man who would become known as Ferdinand Guillaumin spent his early years balancing labor with a quiet interest in drawing. Among these is Place Valhubert, Paris, which he created in 1872.
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French b. Étrépagny Cloisonnism & Rubensian Style Wikipedia 19/32
Alongside his contemporary Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, he navigated the vibrant, often chaotic art circles of Paris, shaped by the mentorship of Fernand Cormon, yet he always maintained a stylistic independence that would eventually redefine the boundaries of modern composition.
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Belgian b. Ghent Neo-Impressionism Wikipedia 19/32
The true turning point in van Rysselberghe’s artistic development arrived with his encounter with Georges Seurat's A Sunday on La Grande Jatte at the eighth Impressionist exhibition in Paris in 1886.
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American b. Salem American Impressionism Wikipedia 14/32
The influence of seventeenth-century masters Johannes Vermeer and Diego Velázquez remains visible in his approach to light and composition. This focus on his immediate circle extends to formal portraiture, such as Eleanor, currently held at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, and the 1899 oil on canvas Gertrude, also housed in the same institution.
Location Benson's canvases reside in various museums and private collections, scattered across the landscape of American art.
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British b. Munich Post-Impressionism Wikipedia 19/32
Walter Richard Sickert, born in Munich in 1860, was a figure perpetually caught between worlds – German by birth, British by adoption, and an artist forever oscillating between the established traditions of painting and the burgeoning currents of modernism.
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Finnish b. Noormarkku Realism and Impressionism Wikipedia 15/32
Eschewing the grand, often detached narratives of mythology or historical epic, she turned her gaze toward the intimate corners of Finnish society.
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Irish b. Belfast Impressionism Wikipedia 10/32
He was particularly influenced by James McNeill Whistler, adopting a sense of tonal harmony that brought a refined, quiet elegance to his compositions.
Location In London, the National Portrait Gallery holds several of his studies and portraits, capturing the faces of the people who moved through his social circles.
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British b. London Post-Impressionism Wikipedia 19/32
Though initially directed towards the sciences at Cambridge University – where he engaged with freethinking societies like the Conversazione Society – Fry's true calling lay in the realm of visual expression.
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Canadian b. Claremont Impressionism
Born in Claremont, Ontario, amidst a family steeped in farming traditions, Thomson’s artistic journey began with an instinctive fascination for the natural world, particularly the rugged beauty of Algonquin Park. Crucially, Thomson’s formative years coincided with the influence of William Brodie, a naturalist who instilled in him a deep respect for scientific observation and encouraged him to immerse himself in the intricacies of Ontario's flora and fauna.
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British Realistic Landscape Painting
John Arthur Fraser began his days in London, England, born on January 9th, 1838. His father, a tailor from Portsoy, Scotland, carried the political weight of the Chartist movement into their home, while his maternal grandparents had settled in Stanstead, Lower Canada, years earlier. His paintings of the Rockies, such as Fishing Camp, the Rockies, captured the heavy presence of mountains like Mt.
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Hungarian b. Sabinov Post-Impressionism, Expressionism Wikipedia 19/32
Initially rebuffed by traditional art schools, he persevered, traveling extensively throughout Europe—Rome, Paris, Munich—studying the masters and honing his skills.
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French b. Landunvez Impressionism Wikipedia 19/32
Married Félix Bracquemond, a printmaker who introduced her to Japanese art (Japonisme) and encouraged her exploration of new techniques. Style: Characterized by loose brushstrokes, vibrant colors, and a focus on domestic scenes and garden views.
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French b. Paris Neo-Impressionism, Pointillism Wikipedia 16/32
Landscape at Marchiennes (1896), for example, offers a powerful depiction of the industrial landscape of northern France, highlighting both its beauty and its harsh realities.
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Polish b. Kraków Impressionism Wikipedia 21/32
The Influence of Pastel and Oil: Her ability to manipulate different mediums allowed her to achieve both the soft, powdery textures of light and the rich, heavy shadows of deep emotion.
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Dutch b. Amsterdam Amsterdam Impressionism
Descended from prominent figures in Dutch Golden Age governance – including Cornelis Jan and Nicolaes Witsen – he inherited not only social standing but also a deep connection to Amsterdam’s history and character. His early artistic training at the Rijksakademie van Beeldende Kunsten in Amsterdam from 1876 to 1884 provided a solid foundation, further broadened by studies at academies in Antwerp.
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French b. Étampes Belle Époque, Impressionism Wikipedia 18/32
Louise Abbéma’s career reflects the evolving role of women in 19th-century art. Portrait de Mme B (1898): A quintessential example of Abbéma’s Belle Époque portraiture, showcasing realism blended with romanticism.
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American b. St. Louis American Impressionism
Louis, Missouri, Richard Edward Miller emerged as a defining figure of American Impressionism, weaving a visual tapestry that captured the delicate essence of light and leisure. Under the guidance of masters such as Jean-Paul Laurens and Jean-Joseph Benjamin-Constant, he absorbed the sophisticated techniques of the French tradition, a period of study that would forever inform his approach to color and composition.
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French Neo-Impressionism
The burgeoning Impressionist movement also left its mark, though Lauge never fully embraced the radical techniques of Monet or Renoir.
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Australian b. Darlinghurst Impressionism Wikipedia 16/32
Born in Sydney in 1858, Russell's path diverged from the typical colonial trajectory when, at eighteen, he embarked for Europe – initially to pursue engineering, but swiftly drawn into the vibrant world of art. His early education at Goulburn School provided a foundation, yet it was his studies under Alphonse Legros at the Slade School of Fine Art in London (1881-1883) that truly ignited his artistic ambitions.
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English b. York Impressionism Wikipedia 15/32
While living in Paris, Tuke encountered Jules Bastien-Lepage. One of his most recognized paintings, August Blue (about 1893–94), shows this preoccupation with light and the youthful form in a way that defined much of his output.
Location To find his paintings, one often looks to the major institutions in London.
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French b. 16th arrondissement of Paris Impressionism Wikipedia 13/32
Influenced by the aesthetics of Edouard Manet and James McNeill Whistler, his work balances a sense of modern spontaneity with a sophisticated control of color. In 1923, he painted " Eton Bridge, Windsor and the Horse Guards," a composition that captures a bustling tableau of London life, from the military precision of the parade to the skyline of Windsor Castle.
Location His presence in the art world persists through the physical remains of his canvases, held in various public institutions across Europe.
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Dutch b. Groningen Marine Painting Wikipedia 14/32
As the chairman of the prestigious Pulchri Studio in The Hague, he helped steer the direction of contemporary Dutch painting.
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American b. Pittsburgh Realism, Symbolism Wikipedia 12/32
Paintings such as Christ Walking on the Water, The Resurrection of Lazarus, and The Good Shepherd are not merely depictions of scripture; they are profound meditations on spirituality, rendered with masterful control of light, composition, and emotional nuance. Daniel in the Lions’ Den (1896): The painting that catapulted Tanner to international acclaim.
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American b. Lowell American Impressionism Wikipedia 15/32
Metcalf’s formal artistic education began at the School of the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, where he honed his foundational skills until 1878. Upon returning to the United States in 1889, Metcalf began to forge his own distinct style, blending academic training with the lessons learned from European masters and his growing sensitivity to the American landscape.
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He meticulously studied the works of artists like Gerard ter Borch and Gabriel Metsu, absorbing their techniques for depicting domestic interiors and everyday life.
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American b. Philadelphia Impressionism, Portraiture Wikipedia 14/32
Cecilia Beaux, born Eliza Cecilia Beaux on May 1st, 1855, in Philadelphia, emerged as a pivotal figure in American portraiture during the Gilded Age. Undeterred, Beaux persevered, securing a place at the prestigious Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts in 1876.
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German b. Wolkenburg Impressionism Wikipedia 15/32
His style lay between Realism and Impressionism, marking him as one of the first artists to champion plein-air painting in Germany—a bold departure from the studio tradition dominant at the time.
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American b. Newburgh American Impressionism Wikipedia 14/32
His later works became increasingly influenced by the theology of Emanuel Swedenborg, which introduced a deeper layer of spiritualism into his mature compositions.
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Dutch b. Rotterdam Early 20th Century Realism Wikipedia 14/32
His early years were marked by a raw, burgeoning talent that led him to the Hague Academy of Fine Arts in 1876.
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American b. Boston American Impressionism Wikipedia 16/32
Key Influences: Claude Monet, Camille Pissarro, Japanese art aesthetics.
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American b. Harrison County Scientific Illustration Wikipedia 11/32
William Henry Holmes was born on a farm near Cadiz, in Harrison County, Ohio, to Joseph and Mary Heberling Holmes on December 1, 1846. Received an honorary Doctor of Science degree from The George Washington University in 1918. Helped produce Hayden’s Geological and Geographical Atlas of Colorado (1877, 1881).
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American b. Cincinnati Impressionism
Returning to New York in 1895, he initially supported himself as an illustrator for prominent magazines like Scribner’s and Century, skills honed during his early lithographic work proving invaluable.
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French b. Gorizia Impressionism Wikipedia 9/32
Luigi Loir, born Aloys François Joseph Loi in the heart of Paris in 1845, remains one of the most evocative chroniclers of the French capital's golden age. His work serves as a visual diary of 19th-century Paris, documenting the architectural majesty and the fleeting, atmospheric shifts of light that define the Seine and the bustling streets of Montmartre.
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Canadian b. Greenock Impressionism & Naturalism
The Brymner family's emigration to Melbourne, Lower Canada (present-day Quebec) in 1857, and their subsequent move to Montreal in 1864, planted the seeds of his connection to the land that would become central to his artistic vision. Brymner’s influence can be seen in the work of Emily Coonan, a student who embraced Impressionistic techniques.
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Latvian b. Saldus Impressionism, Art Nouveau Wikipedia 15/32
Born on March 18, 1866, in the humble surroundings of Bebri Farmstead in Courland Governorate, then part of the Russian Empire, Rozentāls’s journey from the son of a blacksmith to a celebrated artist is a testament to his dedication and talent. His impact extends far beyond his paintings; the Janis Rozentāls Art High School in Riga stands as a testament to his dedication to artistic education, and a memorial museum located in the building he designed in Saldus preserves his life and work for future generations.
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American b. Irasburg Impressionism Wikipedia 13/32
His position in Giverny placed him at the center of an American artistic colony, allowing him to share his newfound knowledge and enthusiasm with fellow painters like Julian Alden Weir and John Henry Twachtman.
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Australian b. Dorchester Impressionism Wikipedia 13/32
Born in Dorchester, England, on March 8th, 1856, Thomas William Roberts would become a pivotal figure in the development of a distinctly Australian artistic identity. Roberts' time in Europe, particularly his studies at the Royal Academy in London, exposed him to the latest artistic currents, including the burgeoning Impressionist movement.
90/ 100
Irish b. London Expressionism Wikipedia 14/32
Jack Butler Yeats, born in London in 1871, was more than just a painter; he was a storyteller, a poet of the canvas, and a uniquely Irish voice resonating within the broader currents of modern art. He married Mary Cottenham in 1894, establishing a home in County Wicklow, where he gradually transitioned from illustration to oil painting around 1906, marking a pivotal moment in his artistic development.
91/ 100
Dutch b. Zundert Romanesque art
Born in Zundert, Netherlands, in 1853, Joos Vincent de Vos’s early life remains somewhat shrouded in mystery.
92/ 100
Finnish b. Lapinlahti National Romanticism Wikipedia 14/32
After honing his foundational skills at the Helsinki Art Society's Drawing School, he sought the vibrant intellectual currents of Europe.
93/ 100
Scottish b. Aviemore Post-Impressionism Wikipedia 13/32
Duncan James Corrowr Grant, born in 1885 amidst the rugged beauty of Rothiemurchus Forest District in Scotland, embarked on a life that would indelibly mark the landscape of British art.
94/ 100
Polish-French b. Kraków Post-Impressionism, Expressionism Wikipedia 19/32
However, the outbreak of World War I proved a turning point.
95/ 100
British Impressionism
His ability to document the beauty of the English coast and rural life resonated deeply with the British Royal Family.
96/ 100
British b. Islington Outsider art, Impressionism
He quickly gained recognition, exhibiting at the Royal Academy from 1894 onwards and becoming a sought-after portraitist among London society.
97/ 100
Italian b. Venice Impressionism Wikipedia 14/32
Works such as At the Café (Femme au bar) offer compelling glimpses into late 19th-century Parisian society, capturing not just the physical appearance of the subjects but also their mood and interactions. His series depicting Venetian scenes – exemplified by Vue de Venise – showcase his mastery of light and shadow, transforming familiar landscapes into evocative compositions.
98/ 100
German b. Landshut Impressionism Wikipedia 16/32
Born in Landshaw, Bavaria, in 1868, he embarked on an artistic journey that would see him evolve from dark, academic tonal sketches into vibrant canvases brimming with light and color —a stylistic shift emblematic of the broader movement reshaping European art at the turn of the century.
99/ 100
French b. Montfort-sur-Risle Impressionism/Post-Impressionism Wikipedia 10/32
Born in 1849 in the quiet village of Montfort-l'Évêque, France, Albert-Charles Lebourg embarked on an artistic journey that would firmly establish him as a key figure within the Impressionist and Post-Impressionist movements.
100/ 100
French b. Marseille Romanticism, Pre-Impressionism Wikipedia 14/32
Inspired by Antoine Watteau's elegant fêtes galantes, he often depicted courtly scenes, still lifes, portraits, and Orientalist themes, imbuing them with a dreamlike quality.
Best-known works
Chronology
Statistics
| France | 33 |
|---|---|
| United States | 11 |
| United Kingdom | 10 |
| Netherlands | 6 |
| Italy | 5 |
| Germany | 4 |
| Russia | 4 |
| Canada | 3 |
| 1810s | 2 |
|---|---|
| 1820s | 5 |
| 1830s | 7 |
| 1840s | 22 |
| 1850s | 24 |
| 1860s | 26 |
| 1870s | 9 |
| 1880s | 2 |
| 1890s | 1 |
| 1910s | 2 |
| Musée d'Orsay | 16 |
|---|---|
| Metropolitan Museum of Art | 8 |
| MOMA - Museum of Modern Art | 4 |
| National Gallery of Art | 3 |
| Art Institute of Chicago | 3 |
| Musée Des Beaux | 3 |
| Rijksmuseum | 3 |
| Kröller-Müller Museum | 2 |
Index
Vincent van Gogh1853–1890Claude MonetFrench · 1840–1926Paul CézanneFrench · 1839–1906Paul GauguinFrench · 1848–1903Édouard ManetFrench · 1832–1883Edgar DegasFrench · 1834–1917Pierre-Auguste RenoirFrench · 1841–1919Georges SeuratFrench · 1859–1891Berthe MorisotFrench · 1841–1895Henri De Toulouse-LautrecFrench · 1864–1901Camille PissarroDanish-French · 1830–1903Alfred SisleyBritish · 1839–1899John Singer SargentAmerican · 1856–1925Paul SignacFrench · 1863–1935Pierre BonnardFrench · 1867–1947Mary CassattAmerican · 1844–1926Émile Bernard1868–1941Frédéric BazilleFrench · 1841–1870Gustave CaillebotteFrench · 1848–1894Joaquín SorollaSpanish · 1863–1923Eugène Louis BoudinFrench · 1824–1898Suzanne ValadonFrench · 1865–1938Maurice DenisFrench · 1870–1943Édouard VuillardFrench · 1868–1940Amrita Sher-GilHungarian-Indian · 1913–1941Charles-François DaubignyFrench · 1817–1878Johan JongkindDutch · 1819–1891Maurice UtrilloFrench · 1883–1955Anders ZornSwedish · 1860–1920Félix VallottonSwiss and French · 1865–1925Max LiebermannGerman · 1847–1935Lovis CorinthGerman · 1858–1925Valentin SerovRussian · 1865–1911Peder Severin KrøyerDanish · 1851–1909Giovanni BoldiniItalian · 1842–1931Tom ThomsonCanadian · 1877–1917Winston Churchill1874–1965Anna AncherDanish · 1859–1935Jean BéraudFrench · 1849–1935Frits ThaulowNorwegian · 1847–1906Emily CarrCanadian · 1871–1945Childe HassamAmerican · 1859–1935Felix ZiemFrench · 1821–1911Giovanni SegantiniItalian · 1858–1899Paul SérusierFrench · 1864–1927Vanessa BellBritish · 1879–1961Konstantin KorovinRussian · 1861–1939Henri Edmond CrossFrench · 1856–1910Emile ClausBelgian · 1849–1924Eva GonzalèsFrench · 1849–1883Bruno LiljeforsSwedish · 1860–1939William Merritt ChaseAmerican · 1849–1916Armand GuillauminFrench · 1841–1927Louis AnquetinFrench · 1861–1932Theo van RysselbergheBelgian · 1862–1926Frank Weston BensonAmerican · 1862–1951Walter SickertBritish · 1860–1942Elin Danielson-GambogiFinnish · 1861–1919John LaveryIrish · 1856–1941Roger FryBritish · 1866–1934Thomas ThompsonCanadian · 1877–1917John FraserBritish · 1838–1898Tivadar Csontváry KosztkaHungarian · 1853–1919Marie BracquemondFrench · 1840–1916Maximilien LuceFrench · 1858–1941Olga BoznańskaPolish · 1865–1940Willem WitsenDutch · 1860–1923Louise AbbémaFrench · 1853–1927Richard Edward MillerAmerican · 1875–1943Achille LaugéFrench · 1861–1944John Peter RussellAustralian · 1858–1930Henry Scott TukeEnglish · 1858–1929Jacques-Émile BlancheFrench · 1861–1942Hendrik Willem MesdagDutch · 1831–1915Henry Ossawa TannerAmerican · 1859–1937Willard MetcalfAmerican · 1858–1925Alfred Émile Léopold Stevens1823–1906Cecilia BeauxAmerican · 1855–1942Fritz von UhdeGerman · 1848–1911George InnessAmerican · 1825–1894George Hendrik BreitnerDutch · 1857–1923Lilla Cabot PerryAmerican · 1848–1933William Henry HolmesAmerican · 1846–1933Edward Henry PotthastAmerican · 1857–1927Luigi LoirFrench · 1845–1916William BrymnerCanadian · 1855–1925Janis RozentālsLatvian · 1866–1916Theodore RobinsonAmerican · 1852–1896Tom RobertsAustralian · 1856–1931Jack Butler YeatsIrish · 1871–1957Joos Vincent De VosDutch · 1853–1890Pekka HalonenFinnish · 1865–1933Duncan GrantScottish · 1885–1978Moïse KislingPolish-French · 1891–1953Edward SeagoBritish · 1910–1974Charles Henry SimsBritish · 1873–1928Federico ZandomeneghiItalian · 1841–1917Max SlevogtGerman · 1868–1932Albert LebourgFrench · 1849–1928Adolphe Joseph Thomas MonticelliFrench · 1824–1886FAQ
Vincent van Gogh (#1) comes first, ahead of Claude Monet (#2) and Paul Cézanne (#3).
Vincent van Gogh (#1), Claude Monet (#2), Paul Cézanne (#3), Paul Gauguin (#4) and Édouard Manet (#5).
The highest-ranked painters born in the United States are Mary Cassatt (#16), Childe Hassam (#42), William Merritt Chase (#52), Frank Weston Benson (#56) and Henry Ossawa Tanner (#75).
France: 33 of the 100 painters in this list were born there, then United States (11) and United Kingdom (10).
14 women are in this ranking: Berthe Morisot (#9), Mary Cassatt (#16), Suzanne Valadon (#22), Amrita Sher-Gil (#25), Anna Ancher (#38), Emily Carr (#41), Vanessa Bell (#46) and Eva Gonzalès (#50).
The earliest-born painter in this list is Charles-François Daubigny (#26), born in 1817.
The museums holding the most key works of this list are Musée d'Orsay (16), Metropolitan Museum of Art (8) and MOMA - Museum of Modern Art (4).
Paris: 10 of the painters in this list were born there.
“The somber, earthy colors of his time in the Netherlands gave way to a new way of seeing the world through light and brushwork.” — from our biography of Vincent van Gogh (#1).
Most painters in this list were born in the 1860s (26 of 100), between 1817 and 1913 overall.
Édouard Manet (#5) taught Eva Gonzalès (#50); Camille Pissarro (#11) taught Paul Gauguin (#4); Suzanne Valadon (#22) taught Maurice Utrillo (#28).
Our catalogue holds 38,001 works by these painters. Each one can be ordered as a hand-painted oil reproduction or a print.
Guides
Other lists
Famous Baroque artistsNight Watch · Rembrandt
Famous Contemporary Realist artistsThe Gleaners · Jean-François Millet
Famous Romanticist artistsSaturn Devouring His Son · Francisco Goya
Famous Neoclassicist artistsThe Death of Marat · Jacques-Louis David
Famous Realist artistsThe origin of the world · Gustave Courbet
Famous Renaissance artistsMona Lisa (La Gioconda) · Leonardo da Vinci
Famous Dutch Golden Age artistsThe Girl with a Pearl Earring · Johannes Vermeer
Famous Expressionist artistsComposition VII · Wassily Kandinsky
Famous Rococo artistsThe Embarkation for Cythera · Jean-Antoine Watteau
Famous Pop Art artistsCampbell's soup cans · Andy WarholBy period
Famous Early Medieval artistsSnowy River · Wang Wei
Famous High Medieval artistsMadonna in Maest (Ognissanti Madonna) · Giotto
Famous Late Medieval artistsThe Annunciation and Two Saints · Simone Martini
Famous Renaissance artistsThe Creation of Adam · Michelangelo
Famous Early Modern artistsThe Calling of Saint Matthew · Caravaggio
Famous 19th Century artistsWater Lilies (or Nympheas) · Claude Monet
Famous Modern artistsGuernica · Pablo Picasso
Famous Contemporary artistsWind Sculpture III (one in a series of nine) · Yinka ShonibareFamous paintings
Famous Baroque paintingsLas Meninas · Diego Velázquez
Famous Romanticism paintingsLiberty Leading the People · Eugène Delacroix
Famous Realism paintingsNighthawks · Edward Hopper
Famous Post-Impressionism paintingsStarry Night · Vincent van Gogh
Famous Expressionism paintingsThe Scream · Edvard Munch
Famous Surrealism paintingsThe Persistence of Memory · Salvador Dalí
Famous Neoclassicism paintingsNapoleon at the St. Bernard Pass · Jacques-Louis DavidFamous Renaissance paintingsMona Lisa · Leonardo da Vinci
Famous Symbolism paintingsThe Birth of Venus · William-Adolphe Bouguereau
Famous Mannerism paintingsBurial of the Count of Orgaz · El Greco
Famous Rococo paintingsThe Swing · Jean-Honoré Fragonard
Famous Art Nouveau paintingsThe kiss · Gustav KlimtRelated lists
![Portrait of Mrs. Renée Kisling [Portrait de Madame Renée Kisling] by Moïse Kisling](/media/artworks/images-thumb/f9/8c/f98c67bdd1847d1218f33aa69bcce699.jpg)
![Still Life with News Paper [Nature Morte au Journal] by Moïse Kisling](/media/artworks/images-thumb/e3/c5/e3c587dd20791f92ea0970da69fea431.jpg)
