Impressionism (1870 – 1890), which can be considered to be the first of the Modern Art movements, had its immediate roots in the traditions of Realism.

What was before impressionism?

Before impressionism, landscapes in art were often imaginary, perfect landscapes painted in the studio. ... They painted outdoors. As they were outside, they looked at how light and colour changed the scenes. They often painted thickly and used quick (and quite messy) brush strokes.

How did realism lead to impressionism?

The turning point from realism to impressionism was the use of light. Artists were finding that painting outside, quickly and in the moment, gave them a chance to understand light and the way it affects color. Brushstrokes became more rapid and broken, representing how light offers a fleeting quality to what we see.