Artist Quote by Elizabeth Kostova
““I remembered some of what I'd read in the past: the small group of the original Impressionists, including one woman-Berthe Morisot- who'd first banded together in 1874 to exhibit works in a style that the Paris Salon found too experimental for inclusion. We postmoderns take them for granted, or disdain them, or love them too easily.””
About This Quote
Source Book: The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova, 2005
The quote reflects on how early Impressionists were initially rejected by mainstream art institutions, yet later generations either overlook, criticize, or overly romanticize them.
In simple terms: Early Impressionists were once shunned, now they’re taken for granted or idealized.
Key Takeaway
Recognize and question how history reshapes artistic value.
Themes
art history
recognition
cultural memory
Mood
reflective
critical
Type
analytical
historical
When to use this quote
- museum curation
- art education
- public criticism
- celebration of art movements
Key Concepts
impressionism
canon formation
gender in art
Questions to Reflect On
- How does contemporary bias affect our view of past art?
- What responsibilities do we have when re‑evaluating historical artists?
A Different Perspective
The quote may oversimplify the nuanced reception of Impressionism over time.
![“[Photography is ] likewise even French impressionists. So the Sculls bought pop. It was politics, and they moved with it. And I think that could be happening, to some degree, with photography, too. It doesn't cost as much to do it, either.” quote by Garry Winogrand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/2eb/garry-winogrand-2342_cost_photography-is-likewise-even-french-impr_2802.jpg)
![“Impressionism is only direct sensation. All great painters were less or more impressionists. It is mainly a question of instinct, and much simpler than [John Singer] Sargent thinks.” quote by Claude Monet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/77c/claude-monet-2110_artist_impressionism-is-only-direct-sensation-a_693163.jpg)
