If you have a soft spot for the breezy, dappled magic of Monet’s water lilies or the gentle moments in time captured by Degas’ ballerinas, then the Art Institute of Chicago should be at the top of your must-visit list!

Home to one of the most renowned Impressionist collections in the world, this Chicago museum offers a chance to lose yourself in the dreamy world of light and color captured by the revolutionary artists that defined the 19th-century art movement.

Here’s all you need to know about the Impressionists, their famous works and what makes the Art Institute of Chicago’s collection so famous. If you live in or near our luxury Chicago apartments, then be sure to check it out. 

Chicago’s world-famous Impressionist paintings

History of impressionism 

The Impressionist period was a 19th-century art movement that emerged in France and which broke away from the traditional, realist styles of the time. Instead of focusing on historical scenes or perfectly rendered portraits in a studio setting, Impressionists ventured outdoors, aiming to capture the fleeting effects of light and atmosphere. Their loose brushstrokes and focus on everyday subjects like leisure activities and landscapes were a breath of fresh air compared to the more rigid styles that dominated the art world.

Think of an Impressionist piece as a snapshot frozen in time: dappled sunlight filtering through leaves on a summer afternoon; the shimmering reflection of boats on a calm lake; or a sea of grass caught in a gentle breeze. These largely outdoor-based scenes are what captivated and inspired Impressionist artists like Claude Monet, Pierre-Auguste Renoir and Edgar Degas to create some of the most famous pieces in the Impressionist movement. 

Each artist, however, developed their own unique approach to capturing these dreamy scenes.. Monet, known for his hazy landscapes, often painted the same scene multiple times to capture the ever-changing play of light. Renoir, on the other hand, bathed his figures in a warm glow, creating scenes of carefree joy like his iconic "Dance at the Moulin de la Galette." Degas, the master of capturing movement, is famous for his depictions of ballerinas and scenes from Parisian life.

Whomever the artist, impressionist paintings are almost always recognizable by their loose brush strokes, focus on light, outdoor scenes and quick snapshots of moments in the artist's daily life. 

How the Art Institute's Collection began

The story of how Chicago's Art Institute came to hold such a treasure trove of Impressionist masterpieces is one that dates back to the movement itself!

Back in the late 19th century, when Impressionism was still considered radical and even shocking by some art critics, a group of forward-thinking Chicago collectors, most notably Bertha Palmer, saw the genius and potential in this new movement. They began acquiring Impressionist works, defying the prevailing artistic tastes of the time and amassing several now-iconic pieces. Upon their deaths, the Art Institute purchased and installed much of the Palmers’ Impressionist artworks in the heart of the museum, creating the core of the museum’s ever-expanding Impressionist collection. 

Their foresight and passion for collecting not only shaped the Art Institute's collection but also helped introduce and establish Impressionism as a major art movement in the United States!

Why the collection is so famous

So, what makes the Art Institute's Impressionist collection so special? In a word — comprehensiveness.

The collection boasts an impressive range of works by the movement's leading figures: Edouard Manet, Claude Monet, Mary Cassatt, Gustave Caillebotte, Pierre-Auguste Renoir and Edgar Degas, to name a few. 

Whether you're a die-hard Monet fan yearning to see his famed Water Lilies series up close, or a Renoir admirer captivated by the playful energy in “Dance at the Moulin de la Galette,” the Art Institute has something to satisfy your artistic cravings.

Beyond the big names, the collection offers a well-rounded view of Impressionism.  You'll find works by lesser-known but equally talented artists, showcasing the diversity of styles and subject matters that defined the movement.  From bustling Parisian street scenes by Gustave Caillebotte to Mary Cassatt's tender portrayals of motherhood, the collection offers a window into the lives and experiences of everyday people during this period.

What's on permanent display

We can’t list everything on display or we’d be here all day — but we can go ahead and list some of the more recognizable artworks that are hallmarks of the impressionist movement!

• “Lunch at the Restaurant Fournaise (The Rowers' Lunch)” (1875) by Pierre-Auguste Renoir: This iconic painting captures a casual lunch scene, showcasing Renoir's signature use of light and warm colors to showcase a peaceful moment in the shade.
• “A Sunday on La Grande Jatte” (1884) by Georges Seurat: This masterpiece exemplifies Seurat's pointillism technique, where tiny dots of color create the image upon closer inspection.
• “Paris Street; Rainy Day” (1877) by Gustave Caillebotte: This work offers a glimpse of a wet Parisian street, showcasing the reflections of light and the movement of figures with a touch of realism.
• “The Bedroom” (1889) by Vincent van Gogh: While not a true Impressionist, van Gogh's vibrant and expressive style is well-represented in this depiction of his own bedroom.
• “Woman at Her Toilette” (1875/80) by Berthe Morisot: This intimate portrait by a lesser-known Impressionist artist captures the quiet concentration of a woman at her dressing table.
• “Two Sisters (On the Terrace)” (1881) by Pierre-Auguste Renoir: This charming scene depicts two young girls relaxing on a terrace, bathed in the warm glow of sunlight and surrounded by freshly-picked flowers
• “Woman Reading” (1880/81) by Édouard Manet: A bridge between Impressionism and Realism, Manet's work is represented by this portrait of a woman absorbed in a book.
• “Stacks of Wheat (End of Summer)” (1890/91) by Claude Monet: This quintessential Monet landscape showcases his mastery of capturing light and atmosphere in a field of golden wheat. This is one of many paintings Monet created of one particular stack of wheat. 
• “The Millinery Shop” (c. 1879-86) by Edgar Degas: This work offers a glimpse into a Parisian millinery shop, with Degas' signature focus on capturing movement and everyday life of a woman trying on a new hat

These are just a fraction of the thousands of artworks in the museum’s collection, but they’re also some of the few that are on display at the museum! These are world-famous, movement-defining artworks, and they’re right in our backyard!

Visiting the museum

Now we’ve convinced you to visit, here’s what you need to know about the Art Institute Chicago. 

The Art Institute is open to the public Thursday through Monday from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with extended hours on Thursdays until 8:00 p.m. Tickets can be purchased online in advance (which is recommended during peak times, since the museum is very popular!) or at the museum upon arrival. It’s also one of the optional attractions available through the Chicago CityPASS, which is  great if you’re planning on hitting some of the city’s other attractions, too.

General admission includes access to the permanent collection and any non-ticketed special exhibitions. Free admission is available to Illinois residents on Thursday evenings from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm, between June 6 and September 26, and you can also reserve a ticket through the Chicago Public Library if you have a CPL library card!

The museum offers a variety of resources for visitors, including a downloadable app with self-guided tours and audio guides. Don't forget to check out their website for current exhibitions, special events, and a handy floor plan to help you navigate the vast collection.

The Impressionist collection here is more than just a bunch of paintings – it's a chance to connect with the vision of these revolutionary artists and experience the world through their eyes. It’s so personal that you can even see the brushstrokes left behind by the hand that painted them, connecting the renowned Impressionist artists to their admirers centuries later!

What are you waiting for? Go visit!

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Featured photo by Diane Picchiottino on Unsplash