The impressionist artists were inspired to paint en plein air by a desire to capture the effects of light and atmosphere on the landscape in a more immediate and authentic way. They believed that painting outdoors allowed them to observe and react to the changing conditions of nature, resulting in a more spontaneous and truthful representation of their surroundings. Additionally, painting en plein air allowed the impressionists to experiment with color, brushwork, and composition in a way that was not possible in the studio. The practice of painting outdoors also enabled them to break away from the academic conventions of the time and develop a more personal and innovative style of painting.
