It has also been stated that Impressionism was the beginning of modern art.
During 1872 Paul Durand-Ruel exhibited Monet and Pissarro's works in London, and in turn also formed a long lasting friendship and business relationship with the Impressionist artists. He also purchased works by Degas, Manet, Renoir and Sisley to be the first Impressionist works to be viewed in London, though was not a great success. In 1873 the Societe Anonyme des Artistes was formed, which allowed more artists to freely exhibit their works upon a small payment, but with no selection committee. It too, like the Impressionists, was formed in opposition of the official Salon. It remained the main showcase for more commonplace artists up until the First World War.
In 1873 the Salon rejected works by Pissarro, Monet, Renoir, Cezanne and Sisley. By which they were obviously displeased and lead to the first independent Impressionist exhibition in April of 1874. The main purpose for the exhibition was not only to promote the new style in art but also to escape the restrain held by the Salon and exhibit their works freely and also to the working classes. They held 8 exhibitions in total including the first in 1874, then in 1876, 1877, 1879, 1880, 1881, 1882, and 1886.
Neo-Impressionism was a short-lived movement which was the expansion and reaction to Impressionism. It was begun by Georges-Pierre Seurat, and the techniques appointed were focused on pointillism, which was the contiguity of dots and pure colour. Post Impressionism followed Impressionism and Neo-Impressionism and started around 1880. It was much the same as Impressionism, as they were influenced by it, but it was generally more emotionally charged than Impressionism. They began to feel the whole beliefs of the Impressionists were too limiting and wanted to put a greater emphasis on expression, structure, and form. The artists who formed the Post-Impressionist movement were Cezanne, Vincent Van Gogh, Paul Gauguin, and Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec.
