Which art movement aimed to capture the transient effects of light and color?

Impressionism is the art movement that specifically aimed to capture the fleeting effects of light and color in painting. Emerging in the late 19th century, Impressionist artists sought to represent their immediate visual impressions of a scene, often painting outdoors and focusing on the way light changes the perception of colors and forms. They often used loose brushwork and lighter palettes to convey this sense of immediacy and movement, reflecting the natural world in a way that evoked a feeling of spontaneity and atmosphere.

While Fauvism, Baroque, and Realism each have their distinct characteristics and objectives, they do not center around capturing the transient effects of light and color in the same way. Fauvism, for instance, emphasized bold, non-naturalistic colors and a strong emotional response, diverging from an accurate representation of light. Baroque art is known for its dramatic use of light and shadow (chiaroscuro) but is more focused on grandeur and storytelling rather than the instantaneous effects associated with Impressionism. Realism aimed to depict subjects as they were, often focusing on everyday life without the emphasis on light and color play that is essential to Impressionism.