Page "Impressionism" Paragraph 13

Some younger artists painted in a lighter and brighter manner than painters of the preceding generation, extending further the realism of Gustave Courbet and the Barbizon school.

They were more interested in painting landscape and contemporary life than in recreating historical or mythological scenes.

Each year, the Salon jury rejected their works in favour of works by artists faithful to the approved style.

A group of young realists, Claude Monet, Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Alfred Sisley, and Frédéric Bazille, who had studied under Charles Gleyre, became friends and often painted together.

They gathered at the Café Guerbois, where the discussions were often led by Édouard Manet, whom the younger artists greatly admired.

They were soon joined by Camille Pissarro, Paul Cézanne, and Armand Guillaumin.