Claude Monet exhibited Impression, Sunrise at the first Impressionist exhibition in 1874.
The exhibition opened in Paris in April 1874 in the former studio of the photographer Nadar. Monet showed several works there, including the harbor view later known as Impression, Sunrise. The painting’s loose handling and emphasis on a momentary atmospheric effect differed sharply from the polished historical paintings favored by the official Salon.
Critic Louis Leroy used the painting’s title in a mocking newspaper review and referred to the artists as “Impressionists.” The label was initially dismissive, but the group eventually adopted it. The exhibition itself was organized independently by artists who wanted an alternative to the Salon system.
The event did not instantly create a universally accepted movement. Critics disagreed strongly, and the group held several independent exhibitions over the following decade. Still, 1874 is a landmark date because it marks the public debut of the name and network associated with Impressionism.