Plein Aire or Plein Air
Derived from the French word "en plein aire," it likely came into use in the 19th century to describe the French Barbizon painters, the first group to work entirely from nature. These artists finished their paintings in the open air, away from their studios. In America, plein-air painting first became popular in California at the turn-of-the century when landscape painters, much taken with the bright light, diverse land and warm climate, began completing their paintings outdoors. Many of these artists, were much influenced by French Impressionism.
