French art movement of the late 19th century that, inspired by scientific knowledges about the physical compositions of colours, tried to render them in an exact as possible way. To this purpose the impressionists went into nature (plein-air-painting), to catch their subjects as they were. The surrounding light conditions let contours blur and the visual impression prevails (Atomization of the objective world).
Here we find representations of the urban life and architecture. For a long time the symbolizing and typifying charakter has been dominating the cityscape in fine arts. In the17th century the real town finally becomes the main source of inspiration, especially in Dutch painting. Due to the increasing industrialisation and mechanisation it is above all – especially in photography – the large city, that attracts the interest of the artists.