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The story of Impressionism begins in Paris, France. In 1851, the newly crowned Emperor Napoleon the III began to crack down on Paris medieval image (marked with narrow windy streets and poor sanitation). He created new reform that encouraged growth in industry and commerce. In 1853, with the help of architect Baron Haussman, Napoleon the III transformed the run-down city into the new showpiece of Europe.

Together, they rebuilt Paris with 85 miles of new roads that boasted modern buildings, restaurants, cafes, and today's popular museum, The Louvre. The Impressionists admired the new city for its modern appearance, and felt that it was an atmosphere ideal for painting.

During the 1850's, many of the future Impressionists had been influenced by these critical changes. The artists would develop a custom of gathering at local cafes. A favorite spot of many of the Impressionists was Cafe Guerbois (9-avenue de Clichy). If Impressionism had a birthplace, it was "The Bastignolles District" of Paris, where they met regularly to discuss current events and personal progress.

For a brief time, life for the artists was trouble-free, but France would soon enter a deadly war. The Franco-Prussian War of 1871 would scatter the aspiring artists throughout Europe. Some artists such as Monet fled to England, while others, including Bazille, went off to fight in the front lines.

After the Franco-Prussian War had ended, many of the artists returned to Paris to pursue a career in art. In France however, the Official Salons were the major determining factor in the success of any artist. The Salons disliked the Impressionist style. The Salon, an annual exhibition, preferred paintings done in the academic styles of history, religion, and mythology. The jury members of the Salon often rejected the Impressionists paintings because they portrayed contemporary Parisian life.

In protest to the Salons, the Impressionists formed their own art society called the Salon d'Refuses. This art society allowed for independent artists in the circle of Impressionism to exhibit their work and receive recognition they could not get from the Salons. Degas, Pissaro, Monet, Renoir, Sisley, and Berthe Morisot founded the new society. The first exhibition took place in 1874 on the first floor of 35 Boulevard de Capucines in Paris. Between the years 1874 and 1886, the Impressionists exhibited their work independent of the Salon. By the last exhibition in 1886, many of the Impressionists had gone their separate ways. In 1880, Monet and Renoir had already left the Salon d'Refuses, after becoming successful and financially secure.

Impressionism officially ended in 1886, and their styles went on to influence such artists as Van Gogh, Signac, Suerat, and Gauguin.