A Look at California Impressionism

California Impressionism is used to describe a 20^th century movement in which Californian artists painted with a combination of American and European styles, forming their own unique technique. California impressionist painting also goes by the moniker “California plein air;”  “plein air” translating to “outdoors” in French.

There are many reasons that impressionist and landscape painters were attracted to California. The state contains a wide variety of different types of landscapes, from forests to deserts to mountains. Additionally, California is very temperate and many painters found that it was possible to paint outdoor almost all year-round. 

Point Lobos by William Ritschel (1864-1949)
Cypress Dance by Erin Hanson (b. 1981)

With such a profusion of landscapes, California impressionist paintings from the early 20^th century differ from those done on the East coast and in France in the subject they chose to capture. Impressionists in the former parts the world often chose to focus on the industrial changes to their cities and people, while California impressionists almost exclusively painted natural landscapes.  

Another wonderful aspect of California impressionism was the freedom that the state’s artistic community embraced. This allowed artists settling into the area to experiment with technique, style, color, and texture. This celebration of artistic liberty brought about great painters like William Wendt, Maurice Braun, Edgar Payne, Guy Rose, Mary Agnes Yerkes, and Franz Bischoff.

While the heyday of California impressionism was between 1910 and the 1930’s, its techniques and celebration of color are employed today by painters like Erin Hanson. Modern California impressionism harkens back to the early 1900’s by playing with the intense light of the Golden State and rejoicing in the use of color.

Laguna Eucalyptus by Guy Rose (1867-1925)
California Eucalyptus by Erin Hanson

That unique, purple light found in California is captured and used to make a lovely statement in modern paintings. This particular shade of light is one which the original California impressionists worked to reproduce in paint, and impressionist painters are still working today to capture the depth of this glorious color. 

Winter Wonderland by Paul Lauritz (1889-1975)
Rolling Dawn by Erin Hanson 

Not only does Erin Hanson work to embrace the principles on which California impressionism is based, she adds her own flair by mixing her paint colors from scratch and adding modern technique into an older style. As you look at Erin Hanson’s contemporary California impressionist paintings, you can see the convergence of the old and the new to create something beautiful.

Morning Gaze by Erin Hanson

If you would like to see more work by Erin Hanson, please visit...
Erin Hanson's California Impression
 Erin Hanson's California Deserts
 Erin Hanson's Paso Robles, California