plein air

¹

[ pleyn air; French ple ner ]

noun

1. the open air, especially the daylight of outdoors.
2. Fine Arts. the quality of light and atmosphere out of doors, especially this quality as rendered in painting.

plein-air

²

[ pleyn-air; French ple-ner ]

adjective

1. pertaining to a manner or style of painting developed chiefly in France in the mid-19th century, characterized by the representation of the luminous effects of natural light and atmosphere as contrasted with the artificial light and absence of the sense of air or atmosphere associated with paintings produced in the studio.
2. designating a painting executed out of doors and representing a direct response to the scene or subject in front of the artist.
3. (of a painting) having the qualities of air and natural light.

plein-air

/ ˌpleɪnˈɛərɪst; plɛnɛr; ˌpleɪnˈɛə /

adjective

1. of or in the manner of various French 19th-century schools of painting, esp impressionism, concerned with the observation of light and atmosphere effects outdoors

Derived Forms

• plein-airist, noun

Other Words From

• plein-airism noun
• plein-airist noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of plein air¹

1890–95; < French: literally, full air

Origin of plein air²

First recorded in 1890–95; adj. use of plein air

Word History and Origins

Origin of plein air¹

C19: from French phrase en plein air in the open (literally: full) air

Example Sentences

And of course, there is Claude Monet, called the “Father of Impressionism” by some, with his light-filled “plein air” paintings, their short, energetic brushstrokes and pale blue-hued palette.

From New York Times

“Music is art, dance is art, food is art,” she says, adding that she plans to feature comedy shows, dance and live music on future art hikes as well as plein air painting classes.

From Los Angeles Times

“Music is art, dance is art, food is art,” she says, adding that she plans to feature comedy shows, dance and live music on future art hikes as well as plein air painting classes.

From Los Angeles Times

Janelle Kroner is a painter and president of Plein Air Washington Artists, an organization dedicated to the art and adventure of painting outdoors on location in natural light to document the diverse and breathtaking scenery of our state.

From Seattle Times

Plein Air Washington Artists does at least 20 “paint outs” per year.

From Seattle Times