Impressionism is one of the most influential art movements in the history of modern painting. It emerged in the second half of the 19th century, mainly in Paris, as a reaction against the strict rules of academic art. At that time, official institutions valued highly detailed, realistic paintings with historical, mythological, or religious themes. Impressionist artists, however, wanted to break away from these traditions and represent the world as they truly saw and felt it—alive, changing, and