I absorbed as many Impressionist paintings as I could, in Parisian museums and in many museums in the United States and in books, looking for clues to architecture, clothing, settings.

Susan Vreeland’s quote reveals her deep engagement with Impressionist paintings as a means of research and inspiration. Rather than viewing art solely for aesthetic enjoyment, she approached these works as visual resources, seeking clues about the past—specifically related to architecture, clothing, and settings. Her method highlights the way historical art can inform and enrich contemporary storytelling, especially when striving for authenticity in depicting a particular time and place.

By stating that she “absorbed as many Impressionist paintings” as she could, Vreeland emphasizes the immersive and intentional nature of her study. She explored not just museums in Paris, the heartland of Impressionism, but also those in the United States and through books, indicating a comprehensive and passionate pursuit of artistic detail. The Impressionists’ focus on light, everyday scenes, and the human experience offered her a vivid window into the cultural landscape of the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

This quote also reflects Vreeland’s approach as a historical novelist, known for blending art history with fiction. Her interest in visual culture shows how she used paintings not just as backdrops but as integral tools in constructing her narratives. The textures of the past—what people wore, how buildings looked, the mood of a room—are all made more tangible through her careful observation of visual art.

In origin, this quote stems from interviews and writings where Susan Vreeland discusses her creative process. Her novels often revolve around real or imagined lives of artists, particularly those associated with the Impressionist movement, such as Monet or Renoir. By mining their work for historical context, she bridges the gap between visual art and literature, turning painted scenes into rich, living worlds for her readers.