plein air
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
1Words Nearby plein air
Other definitions for plein-air (2 of 2)
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
2Other words from plein-air
- plein-airism, noun
- plein-airist, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use plein air in a sentence
I propose that we institute a pilgrimage, sighed Rodin, to all monuments de plein air yet spared by restoration.
How France Built Her Cathedrals | Elizabeth Boyle O'ReillyBut in the orchestra of Strauss, the color-gamut of the plein-air painters got a musical equivalent.
Musical Portraits | Paul RosenfeldAll the members of the club were young—of the new rebellious school of 'plein air'—the afternoon promised to be amusing.
The History of David Grieve | Mrs. Humphry WardBut she was determined to make it substantially a picture en plein air.
The History of David Grieve | Mrs. Humphry WardOf course, plein-air painting was at first the chief object of their endeavours.
The History of Modern Painting, Volume 3 (of 4) | Richard Muther
British Dictionary definitions for plein-air
/ (ˌpleɪnˈɛə, French plɛnɛr) /
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
Origin of plein-air
1Derived forms of plein-air
- plein-airist (ˌpleɪnˈɛərɪst), noun
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
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