Final answer:
Impressionism is the art movement that followed Realism and focused on the effects of light and the representation of fleeting impressions of modern life. It evolved from the Realist depiction of contemporary subjects to explore color, light, and brushwork in new and revolutionary ways.
Step-by-step explanation:
Impressionism and Light
The movement that continued the Realist interest in modern life as a subject but focused peculiarly on the phenomenon of light is known as Impressionism. The Impressionists broke away from tradition by concentrating on the effects of light on a scene and the expression of the transient moments of life. They experimented with color and brushstrokes in innovative ways, striving to capture fleeting impressions of moments, rather than the precise details that Realism emphasized.
Impressionism can be seen as a natural progression from Realism, in that it still focused on modern life and often depicted similar subjects, such as urban scenes and everyday life. However, Impressionists moved away from the detailed and often somber portrayals of Realism and introduced a lighter, more vibrant touch that sympathized with the play of light and shadow on their subjects. The movement brought a new appreciation for color, with artists like Claude Monet and Pierre-Auguste Renoir exploring how changes in light and weather could alter the appearance of the same landscape or scene.