plein-air

[pleyn-air; French ple-ner]

adjective

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.
designating a painting executed out of doors and representing a direct response to the scene or subject in front of the artist.
(of a painting) having the qualities of air and natural light.

Origin of plein-air

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

Related formsplein-air·ism, nounplein-air·ist, noun

plein air

[pleyn air; French ple ner]

noun

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

Origin of plein air

1890–95; < French: literally, full air

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for plein-air

Historical Examples of plein-air

All three pictures are full of plein-air effect, the one at Verona especially.
Great Masters in Painting: Perugino
George C. Williamson
This was the sentimental echo of his former genuine enthusiasm for plein-air effects.
The London Mercury, Vol. I, Nos. 1-6, November 1919 to April 1920
Various
About 1881 he seems to have exhausted his direct interest in the plein-air movement.
The London Mercury, Vol. I, Nos. 1-6, November 1919 to April 1920
Various
Of course, plein-air painting was at first the chief object of their endeavours.
The History of Modern Painting, Volume 3 (of 4)
Richard Muther
But in the orchestra of Strauss, the color-gamut of the plein-air painters got a musical equivalent.
Musical Portraits
Paul Rosenfeld

British Dictionary definitions for plein-air

plein-air

adjective

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 Formsplein-airist (ˌpleɪnˈɛərɪst), noun

Word Origin for plein-air

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

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for plein-air

adj.

1894, from French phrase en plein air, literally "in the open air." The style developed among French impressionists c.1870.