Beyond Impressionism: The Naturalist Impulse
by: Weisberg, Gabriel P.

Hardcover. NY, Abrams, 1st, 1992, Book: Very Good, Dust Jacket: Very Good, Hardcover, 303 pages. Eclipsed by the Impressionists, Naturalist painters are restored to their rightful place in the history of art in this remarkable, lavishly illustrated study. Influenced by Emile Zola's writings, French Naturalist artists documented personalities and locales in a detached, impersonal style. With photography as their chief tool and ally, the Naturalists aimed for the look of unposed, spontaneous nature, which put them on a collision course with the Impressionists. Now this challenging book adds a new dimension to that period, showing that at the same time the Naturalists were shaping a different view of painting. Weisberg reveals that the Naturalists went beyond Impressionism in both technique and subject matter. 307 illustrations, 86 in full color. Very good in a bright dust jacket.