Final answer:
Impressionism is distinguished by its focus on ordinary life, visible brush strokes, and an effort to capture light's transient effects. Contrastingly, Realism emphasized a more direct and honest depiction of everyday life, often with a social dimension.
Step-by-step explanation:
Impressionism is an art movement that emerged in the 19th century, known for changing the course of art history. Characterized by relatively ordinary subject matter and visible brush strokes, Impressionism was pioneered by artists who sought to capture the fleeting effects of light and color in their work. These artists, including Claude Monet, Edgar Degas, and Pierre-Auguste Renoir, moved away from the detail-oriented techniques of their predecessors and instead focused on portraying the impression of a moment, often painting outdoors (en plein air). The essence of Impressionism lies in its use of quick brush strokes and a vibrant color palette to simulate the interplay of light and its changing qualities, giving the paintings a sense of movement and spontaneity.
The idea to paint ordinary life as it truly appeared was influenced by Realist painters, such as Gustave Courbet and Jean-François Millet, who depicted the everyday world with a new level of honesty. However, unlike Realism's more somber and socially conscious undertones, Impressionist works tended to focus on more transient scenes and settings with a lighter mood. In this, Impressionism marked a radical departure from the careful finish and historical subject matter favored by the established art institutions of the time.