Artwork is a funny old thing, isn’t it? It’s such a personal matter. What one person loves may be something that another doesn’t even consider to be art. I remember my parents visiting the Guggenheim in Bilbao and telling me all about it on there return. My dad said it was definitely not their kind of art, after all anyone could paint a giant black square with a small white square inside. I personally love that kind of abstract art, the more simple, minimal and geometric the better as far as I’m concerned.
One kind of art that I’ve never really considered to be my style though is Impressionist artwork. To me this has always been the kind of artwork that you’d find in big old stately houses. You know, the ones that are full of antiques and old books. I’ve never really considered impressionist art for a modern home. That is until I came across these images. They belong to a work colleague of mine, Lou, who also has a small business selling the artwork of her father, John Donaldson. John is a very well known local artist who sells his work internationally. Although his artwork is absolutely stunning, I just never considered that it could work in a home with a more modern style. I’ve always imagined impressionist art to be huge oil paintings that sit inside ornate dark wood frames mounted in a huge great hall of some kind.
It was just a chance conversation that led to Lou showing me these images that she uses to market her father’s artwork. I couldn’t quite believe my eyes and I have to admit I found it quite surprising just how good this impressionist artwork could look in a contemporary interior. It actually made me feel quite silly and naive. Why wouldn’t impressionist artwork look good in a modern space? In fact it looks fantastic.
Admittedly these are prints and I think that it really helps that they are in simple modern frames with a mount. This helps them to look a lot less fussy. It’s amazing what seeing things in situ can do. I would never have considered this type of artwork for my own home had I not seen these beautiful images. They look amazing don’t they? If you like them as much as I do, don’t forget to visit John’s site to check out all his fantastic pieces, which include both prints and paintings. They make me want to head off on holiday to the Dordogne or to the Côte d’Azur. Who wants to join me?
How do you feel about choosing Impressionist art for a modern home? And what do you think of John’s work in particular?
John’s paintings are magnificent to say the least. So proud and privileged to own some of his work.
I love the history of the Impressionists! I actually grew up not far from where Monet and Van Gogh painted their masterpieces. There is a museum entirely dedicated to Money and the Impressionists in “Giverny” and another one at the “Château of Auvers-Sur-Oise” more focus on Van Gogh as the town inspired him several of his paintings, The château has recently been transformed into a museum. Therefore It’s a pleasure to see British artists painting impressionist paintings and John’s paintings are really beautiful and the colors are striking and contemplative. I have got an artist friend who is very talented like John but she doesn’t do impressionist landscape more “abstract emotional portraits” and she has the same dilemma which is how do you show the value of a painting to potential customers? As you said some people would love it and some won’t. I think Virtual Reality can help but people need to be attracted to art, in general, to start with.
Ohhh I love this work…and they look stunning in the different environments too!
They really do don’t they? I had no idea impressionist artwork would work so well in a modern home.
Looks great but I’m a much bigger fan of more abstract pieces where there is more ambiguity… Or photography!
I am too Donna. I’ve always gone for abstract art, typography and more recently photography. But now I realise that this type of artwork could easily work in my home too.
The artwork is beautiful!! I must admit I’ve never even considered anything like that in my home, but it’s all so pretty! Would make such statement pieces.
I never had either Sam until I saw these images.
Art is very personal – thanks to gallery walls I don’t see why you would have trouble incorporating some art like this in a modern home – starting with something smaller size maybe.
It’s definitely a personal thing Jenny. But having seen these images I wouldn’t even mind going for a big statement piece like the ones shown here. It’s completely changed my view on impressionist art.
I think I kinda had the same feelings towards you regarding impressionist art but now you’ve really got me thinking. It looks gorgeous in all the pictures you have shared 🤔
I’m glad I’m not the only one who thought that Medina. I felt a bit silly after I saw these images. But at least I’ve learnt something!
I love impressionist works and these are no exception. The classics in real life are amazing btw as someone said already
I’ve never been a fan Susan but this has made me reconsider!
This is so interesting, I also wouldn’t have thought they’d work in a minimalist environment but they really look great!
It’s strange isn’t it that our assumption would be so wrong?
OMG I loved this post those images are amazing too! I love the artwork in the rooms it just works so well! Digging your blog!
Ah, thanks so much Jumi, I’m so pleased to hear you are enjoying my blog. And glad you like John’s art work. It is pretty amazing!
I love the balance here of the impressionistic artwork against the contemporary decor. As you say – the simple, sleek frame, helps to harmonise the two styles, but my taste is very much about introducing a mix of different styles.
John’s work is fantastic – in particular the two bottom paintings really speak to me. I’m instantly transported to sunnier climes just looking at them! x
The paintings definitely evoke a holiday vibe, don’t they?
Some great paintings here, that work very well in a contemporary setting. I think we get so used to seeing reproductions of the Impressionists work that they loose their beauty and become a bit trite. If you visit the Musse D’Orsay in Paris and see the works in real life – they really are quite stunning.
I think you’re probably right Lin. I think that’s why John’s work appealled to me so much, because it is original.
It’s a lovely combination – the art really softens the modern interiors. They both complement each other beautifully.
That’s exactly it, it really does soften the modern interior.
Very nice artwork and I like the styling of the pictures too. I could imagine them working in a lot of contemporary homes.
I could too Antonia now that I’ve seen these images. But I struggled to imagine it before.
Ya know, I would have never thought these kinds of paintings would work in a modern home but you are right – they really do look the part. I think the more contemporary frames really look great with this style. What a fabulous way to market them – very clever! xx
The frames definitely help Kimberly. I think marketing them like this really helps people like me to see how it could work in a modern interior. Without this visual I would never have thought it could work.
Beautiful textures in John’s paintings and the impressionist painting with mid-century furniture choices don’t contrast at all! In fact, the cornucopia of colours from the painting make the space more inviting. I’ll have to reconsider my position on this style of art! Eoghan from https://www.yeshomebuyers.com/
These images definitely made me reconsider Eoghan. It’s funny how a picture can do that!
I have to tell you that you make beautiful compositions on the pictures.
You have chosen the ideal plants :)
I agree! Lou has a great eye!