Impressionism in Western art?

One of the reasons, I suppose, is that it's still representational. After impressionism you have the fauves, the cubists, and abstract expressionists. Nothing very warm after the Impressionists. Nothing very challenging with the impressionists.

What do you think Marshmallow?

Because it's light, simple, and uncomplicated. It's aesthetically beautiful but lacks any political context. Ultimately, it's one of the most accessible art movements. You don't need to understand the artist's language, historical context, or the deep meaning of the painting.

What you see is what you get. But instead of realist movements preceding it and following it? Impressionism brings flavors of whimsy and optimism into new lights.

I'm not knocking Impressionism. It's a great and necessary bridge linking movements of the history of Western Art.

Yes, accessibility is the answer. It's pretty, it touches the emotions, it's accessible and non-challenging. Impressionism in music is somewhat similar. When listening to Ravel or Debussy, you just have to lie back and let it wash over you. It tends to be programmatic describing scenes or feelings. It's fairly accessible, but still it's not my favorite type of music.

Impressionism in paintings is like dessert, everybody enjoys it, but maybe not as a main course, though one is tempted . It was an excellent transition from realism to modernism, which became less accessible and more challenging.