When you think of Impressionist paintings portraiture is probably not what first comes to mind. Most impressionists doted on scenes of large groups of people or landscapes, cityscapes, waterscapes, etc. However when you think of Impressionism you definitely may think of extraordinary color, indeed the Impressionists and Post-Impressionists did things with color that had never been seen before in the art world. And when this excellent use of color, and use a unique use of light as well, was applied to portraiture the master Impressionists and Post-Impressionists did turn out some very stunning portraits. Also Impressionist portraiture, with its strong emphasis on emotion, and it’s indiscrimination in subject matter (Impressionists masters painted all ages and classes) Impressionism is a style of painting often much closer to the heart of the audience than the old Renaissance style. All of this applied, only occasionally during the early Impressionist period, to the art of portraiture, makes Impressionist portraiture a particularly special artistic style.