On April 15, 1874, “la Société anonyme des artistes peintres, sculpteurs, graveurs, etc.” organizes the first independent collective exhibition. This provocative exhibition that defies the authority of the Salon, had no judging and award system, and any artist belonging to the association was free to participate. Despite the ignorance and mockery of critics and the public, artists who wanted to declare their will and open up an independent art market accept the term Impressionist on their own initiative. Impressionist painting, which opened the horizon of modern art by renewing the tradition of landscape and aesthetics of realism, was recognized for its historical importance and its contribution to the development of twentieth-century art through its features such as atmospheric movement, light effects and themes of modern life. However, in order to understand and appreciate Impressionist art in a discursive wat beyond judging it as more stylistic and formative value, a detailed reading of the political and economic situation of France in the 1870s is necessary. Such an attempt will allow a richer interpretation of the history of French art.