Minnesota Impressionists. By Rena Neumann Coen (Afton Historical Society Press, $35) -- Impressionism, a style of painting featuring light-filled atmospheres and broad brushwork, was introduced in the United States in 1886. The 24 Minnesota artists who make up this book span the years from 1890 to 1940. Although they shared an impressionistic style, they never exhibited together as a group or considered themselves rebels against an established academic tradition, as did the French impressionists. Painters in this book whose names might be recognized are Anton Gag, whose daughter Wanda became better-known as an artist than her father, and long-time St. Paulite Clara Mairs. Each painting is accompanied by several pages of text about the artist.

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