Dive into the bright universe of Impressionism with the very first publication from Kiléma Editions! A captivating journey through the history of this iconic artistic movement, designed to be read and appreciated by all. Let yourself be guided to discover this artistic period rich in colors and emotions.
A book on the history of Impressionism adapted for easy and accessible reading for everyone!
Kiléma Editions, a specialist in Easy to Read and Understand (FALC), has just published a book on the history of Impressionism. This is the first time that a work on art history is available in a format designed to make written information accessible primarily to individuals with intellectual developmental disorders, and more broadly to an audience facing language-related difficulties.
This book, titled “History of Impressionism,” was developed in partnership with the Musée d’Orsay, which holds the largest collection of Impressionist works in the world. It features around thirty commented paintings by great artists such as Pissarro, Manet, Degas, Cézanne, Monet, Renoir, and Berthe Morisot.
The vocabulary used in this work has been simplified, and the layout is specific and airy, to facilitate the reading and understanding of the texts. The author, Coline Zellal, a designer and heritage curator, has managed to make the masterpieces of Impressionism accessible and offer a pleasant sense of closeness to the subject and the artists’ techniques.
An artistic movement born from rebellion against academic rules
Before presenting the works, “History of Impressionism” revisits the artistic movement that emerged in the second half of the 19th century. Impressionist artists broke away from the Academy of Arts and its academic rules. Their techniques, particularly the use of paint strokes, were deemed ugly and unfinished by critics of the time.
The very name of Impressionism originates from Claude Monet’s work, “Impression, Sunrise.” The artists of this movement sought to paint their impressions of the world, providing a personal and subjective vision of their era through still lifes, portraits, landscapes, and outdoor scenes.
Artists to rediscover
Through the pages of this book, one discovers the works of Impressionists reproduced on a specific textured paper that adds a tactile dimension to the reading experience. It also includes the birth years and sizes of the canvases, as well as mini-biographies of the artists.
It becomes clear that Impressionists were primarily men, with the exception of Frenchwoman Berthe Morisot and American Mary Cassatt. The familial ties that connected certain artists, such as the sister-in-law relationship between Berthe Morisot and Edouard Manet, are also revealed.
An accessible publication for all
This book on the history of Impressionism is the first in a new collection launched by Kiléma Editions, titled “Living and Discovering,” aimed at making culture and knowledge accessible to an impeded audience. The FALC format used in this work allows for a better understanding of the world around us, thus promoting self-determination and autonomy.
The 150th anniversary of the first Impressionist exhibition provided an opportunity for the Musée d’Orsay and Kiléma Editions to collaborate and offer an eminently accessible art history book. This collaboration mixed the art history expertise of the Musée d’Orsay with Kiléma Editions’ expertise in FALC.
The book “History of Impressionism” by Coline Zellal has been available since June 6, 2024, priced at 28 euros. It is a unique opportunity to discover or rediscover the masterpieces of Impressionism in a way that is easy and accessible to all.
