Rediscovered Treasures: 10 Overlooked Impressionist Masterpieces by Pissarro and Cassatt

These ten Impressionist artworks have not been endlessly reproduced on mugs and T-shirts or hung as large frames in living spaces. They stand apart from widely recognized iconic pieces but still warrant a new appreciation, promising an experience of awe.

Within the museums' ornate halls, crowds gather around the most famous exhibits. Impressionist paintings , such as Impression, Sunrise (1872) — the source of the movement’s actual name — Dinner at the Yachting Club (1880-1881) and The Plaza of the French Theatre (1898).

Even so, hidden behind these revered symbols of the movement, various artworks engage in subtle conversations with light, motion, and the quotidian beauty found in ordinary existence. This understated nature does not stem from their merit or emotional impact; rather, it arises because they are meant to stay concealed. Impressionism brims with lesser-known masterpieces—vivid creations either attributed to prominent artists or less recognized ones—all testifying to an identical desire to immortalize ephemeral instants.

Are you fond of the Impressionist movement? ? Below are a few articles that could pique your interest. :

• The charming Channel Island that served as inspiration for 15 artworks by Impressionist artist Auguste Renoir.
• This unidentified French Impressionist artist studied under Édouard Manet (and would go on to inspire him as well!).
• The loveliest Impressionist artworks globally

10 Impressionist Paintings to Rediscover

Girl in the Garden (1880-1882), Mary Cassatt

Perched beneath a tree, a young girl quietly stitches, isolated amidst a vivid landscape of lush greenery. Mary Cassatt attended to each leaf, every fabric crease with remarkable delicacy, transforming this private moment into an almost holy tableau.

Solitude does not equate to sadness or dullness; instead, it offers a peaceful focus, akin to an internal refuge.

Where might one find it? ? Musée d’Orsay, Paris

Young M an at his W indow (1876), Gustave Caillebotte

A man faces away from a large open window offering a view of Paris. Light pours in, highlighting the moldings, the clarity of the glass, and the banisters of the balcony. There’s nothing to distract you.

This lesser-known artwork by Gustave Caillebotte exudes a sense of restrained silence so intense that it feels nearly suffocating, with the anticipation seeming to last forever.

Where might one find it? ? The J. Paul Getty Museum in Los Angeles

Rue Saint-Honoré in the afternoon , effect of rain (1897), Camille Pissarro

On the smooth and glossy sidewalk, umbrellas bloom like colorful flowers as horse-drawn carriages glide past one another amidst a gentle drizzle. Camille Pissarro implies more than he explicitly outlines this urban rhythm where all appears to be fluid.

The swift movements of the brush conjure an impression of moisture, with changing glimmers, as though the very fabric of the canvas was melting away.

Where might you view it? ? Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza, Madrid

The A rtist's G arden at Vétheuil (1881), Claude Monet

This shows Claude Monet's portrayal of his garden in Vétheuil as a vibrant display of sunflowers illuminated by the sunshine.

From the main viewpoint, the painting directs attention to the artist's home, with vivid hues and swift strokes capturing the dynamic essence of summertime natural surroundings.

Where might one view it? ? National Gallery of Art, located in Washington, D.C.,

The Port of Boulogne by Moonlight (1868), Édouard Manet

This nighttime artwork by Édouard Manet depicts the calm tranquility of Boulogne’s harbor bathed in the soft light of the moon. The gleaming ripples on the surface of the water and the shadowy forms of unmoving vessels evoke a serene mood, diverging from the typical bustling energy found in depictions of harbors.

Where might one find it? ? Musée d’Orsay, Paris

Place du Chenil in Marly, S now E ffect (1876), Alfred Sisley

In a wintry landscape beneath a snowy expanse, Alfred Sisley captured the Place du Chenil in Marly. The pale hues and delicate strokes evoke a sense of quiet calm typical of a tranquil village scene. This artwork showcases his skillful representation of the nuanced effects of winter sunlight.

Where might one find it? ? Musée des Beaux-Arts, Rouen

Afternoon Tea (1880), Marie Bracquemond

Less well known than Berthe Morisot and Mary Cassatt , among the other "leading ladies" of Impressionism, Marie Bracquemond portrays her half-sister Louise Quivoron engrossed in a book within the family’s garden in Sèvres.

The interplay of light and subtle brushwork showcases the artist's fascination with depictions of home environments and ordinary moments.

Where might one find it? ? The Petit Palais, which houses the Musée des Beaux-Arts, is located in Paris.

Miss Lala at the Cirque Fernando (1879), Edgar Degas

In this unusual piece, Edgar Degas moved away from his typical subject matter of ballerinas to depict an acrobat suspended from the ceiling at the Fernando circus.

The daring composition, featuring a low-angle perspective, accentuates the power and elegance of Miss Lala, an esteemed Afro-European performer from that era.

Where might one view it? ? National Gallery, London

Young Woman Irrigating a Bush (1876), Berthe Morisot

In this depiction, Berthe Morisot portrays her sister Edma enjoying a serene moment at home as she tends to a bush on their family terrace in Passy. The gentle color scheme and delicate strokes convey both the garden’s ambiance and the tender closeness of the image.

This piece showcases Morisot's skill in depicting brief moments of ordinary life through an distinctive Impressionist lens.

Where might one view it? ? VMFA, located in Richmond, Virginia

The Pink Dress (1864), Frédéric Bazille

Even though he passed away prematurely, Frédéric Bazille played a role in the early stages of Impressionism. This artwork shows his cousin Thérèse from behind, seated on the terrace at their ancestral home in Montpellier.

The gentle composition along with the sunshine from southern France showcases an early aptitude for capturing spontaneity and visual balance.

Where might one find it? ? Musée d’Orsay, Paris