The term “en plein air” means “in the open air” and refers to painting outdoors, directly from nature. This video explores Claude Monet’s Impression, Sunrise (1872), which captures the port of Le Havre at dawn. Learn how he used en plein air techniques to create this famous Impressionist painting. We’ll look at how this method, popularized by artists like Monet, allowed artists to capture the changing effects of light, weather, and seasons.

Speaker: Dr. Lauren Kilroy-Ewbank

CHAPTERS

0:00 Monet's Impression, Sunrise

0:26 What is en plein air painting?

1:04 Monet at work

1:24 The name Impressionism

2:06 How to paint in the open air

Learn more

Check out our entire glossary of art history: https://www.artsq.org/about-key-terms-ideas-art-history