Forget stuffy art history lectures—this is Impressionism as you’ve never seen it before. Dawn of Impressionism: Paris, 1874 is coming to UK cinemas on March 18, 2025, and it’s bringing rebellion, passion, and artistic chaos to the big screen.
The film dives into the moment that changed art forever, when a group of radical painters—mocked, ridiculed, and dismissed—decided to shake up the Parisian art scene with an exhibition that would later be seen as the birth of modern art. Exhibition On Screen invites you to witness the origins of Impressionism, exploring the mavericks who dared to defy tradition and create a movement that would go on to define the way we see art today.
A Revolution in Art: The Birth of Impressionism
Art wasn’t always about dreamy brushstrokes and shimmering light. Back in the 1870s, the Paris art world was all about strict academic rules, dark dramatic paintings, and a rigid hierarchy. Then came a rebellious group of outsiders—Claude Monet, Paul Cézanne, Edgar Degas, Berthe Morisot, and Mary Cassatt—who ditched the traditional rules, grabbed their brushes, and captured the world as they saw it.
Their work? Radical, bright, and full of movement. Their reception? Brutal.
Parisian critics laughed, the public mocked, and yet, 150 years later, Impressionism is the most loved and admired art movement in history.
Why This Film is a Must-See for Art Lovers
This cinematic deep dive into the first Impressionist exhibition in 1874 doesn’t just tell the story—it shows you the masterpieces up close. Filmed in partnership with the Musée d’Orsay, Paris and the National Gallery of Art, Washington DC, this film gives you unprecedented access to the very paintings that sparked the artistic revolution.
It also reveals something often overlooked: the crucial role of women artists in Impressionism. Mary Cassatt and Berthe Morisot defied expectations, pushing boundaries in a male-dominated industry, and their contributions to Impressionism were just as game-changing as their male counterparts.
Step Into the Streets of 1870s Paris
Beyond the brushstrokes, the film dives into the political and social shifts that made Impressionism possible. The 1870s were a time of revolutions, upheavals, and changing ideas—and the Impressionists were right at the centre of it all.
Told through the letters, journals, and critiques of the artists and their contemporaries, this immersive documentary brings 19th-century Paris to life. Experience the gossip, the controversy, and the pure artistic audacity that led to the creation of the most beloved movement in art history.
150 Years Later – Why Impressionism Still Matters
Impressionism wasn’t just about painting—it was about seeing the world differently. It challenged the establishment, fought against tradition, and paved the way for modern creativity. Today, these once-ridiculed paintings are displayed in the world’s greatest museums, and millions flock to see them every year.
This film is a chance to step into the moment it all began, to witness the daring experiment that forever changed art. Whether you’re an art lover, a history buff, or just someone who enjoys a good underdog story, Dawn of Impressionism: Paris, 1874 is an unmissable cinematic experience.
Catch it in UK cinemas from March 18, 2025.
