Debussy was born in 1862, 20 years after the English painter, Joseph Turner, created an impressionistic painting. Although many other painters thought of Joseph's work as "Pictures of nothing", Debussy thought Turner was the "finest creator of mystery in art".
Novelists and New Science of Psychology
During the 1840's, novelists were creating psychological tales using the new discoveries of the mysteries of the unconscious mind and significance of dreams. This "stream of unconsciousness" style of writing developed.
The Symbolist Poets
French poets called Symbolists were among those who revolted against naturalism and the excesses of romanticism. The result is often that their beautiful free verse, usually difficult to understand, is completely incomprehensible, even in French.
French Impressionist Painters
The revolt against romanticism and naturalism in Paris took dramatic form in 1871 when Monet exhibited a painting entitles Impression: Sunrise. An outraged critic described the painting using the term impressionist as an insult, but the name soon became synonymous with painting in which the atmosphere, light and color of a particular moment were captured on canvas.
Impressionism Reaches Music
After 1850, the climax of grand romanticism in music was reached. The chromatic harmonies in Chopin's music, which Debussy loved, clearly foreshadowed new procedures; the end of the nocturne in D flat is a typical example.
A Sidelight to History
During these years of cultural revolt and radical changes in the arts, medical and scientific discoveries, the events that led into the First World War were being made. Debussy was much depressed by the war, and his patriotism is evident in his signature, “Debussy, Musicien Francais”.
