John Leslie Breck: American Impressionist

John Leslie Breck was an American artist who founded the Giverny art colony and was among the earliest American artists to embrace the Impressionist style. This volume includes approximately 70 of his finest works, drawn from public and private collections, and features a selection of paintings from his sojourn in Venice in 1897. He had begun to explore aspects of post-Impressionism and Asian aesthetics in the years before his early death.

Format: Hardback
Length: 208 pages
Publication date: 18 October 2021
Publisher: D Giles Ltd

John Leslie Breck, a prominent figure in American art history, played a pivotal role in establishing the American art colony at Giverny. He was among the earliest American artists to embrace the Impressionist style, a movement that revolutionized the art world during the late 19th century. Breck's journey into Impressionism began when he visited the French village of Giverny between 1887 and 1888, where he met Claude Monet and was profoundly influenced by his innovative approach to painting.

Breck's canvases from this period, characterized by loose brushwork and vibrant colors, marked a significant departure from his earlier works, which were characterized by darker tonalities and tighter brushwork. This shift in style reflects his newfound fascination with the Impressionist technique and his desire to explore new artistic possibilities.

Upon his return to America in 1892, Breck applied the lessons he had learned in France to his paintings of the New England landscape. His works from this period showcased his mastery of light and color, capturing the essence of the natural beauty of the region. Breck's paintings were widely exhibited, and he gained recognition as a prominent artist of his time.

In the years leading up to his untimely death at the age of 39 in 1899, Breck continued to explore new artistic directions. He became interested in aspects of post-Impressionism and Asian aesthetics, which influenced his later works. This volume, inspired by The Mint Museum's acquisition of John Leslie Breck's canvas Suzanne Hoschede-Monet Sewing, showcases approximately 70 of Breck's finest works, drawn from public and private collections.

The paintings in this volume depict scenes from Giverny, America, and Venice, where Breck spent time in 1897. They include iconic works such as "The Garden at Giverny," "The House in Giverny," and "The Boatyard at Venice," which capture the essence of the Impressionist style and the beauty of the natural world.

In addition to Breck's paintings, this volume features up to 36 additional comparative images, including details, photographs, and paintings by Monet and other leading American impressionists such as Willard Metcalf, Theodore Robinson, Lila Cabot Perry, Childe Hassam, and Arthur Wesley Dow. These comparative images provide valuable insights into the influences and inspirations that shaped Breck's artistic journey and the development of the Impressionist movement in America.

John Leslie Breck's legacy as a pioneering artist who embraced the Impressionist style and helped to popularize it in America continues to be celebrated today. His paintings, which are characterized by their loose brushwork, vibrant colors, and innovative approach to painting, continue to inspire and influence artists around the world. This volume serves as a testament to Breck's artistic achievements and his significant contribution to the art world.

Weight: 1432g
Dimension: 250 x 288 x 26 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781911282891