Why did Impressionist artists hold independent exhibitions?

Impressionist artists held independent exhibitions primarily because their work was persistently rejected by the Salon, which was the official, state-sponsored exhibition and the primary venue for artists to display their work in 19th-century France.12

The Impressionists, much like the Realists who preceded them, broke from prevailing academic traditions by focusing on modern life and ephemeral moments rather than traditional historical, mythological, or religious subjects. Because the Salon maintained rigid and exclusive policies that favored these traditional standards, innovative artists found themselves excluded.23

By pooling their resources to organize their own shows, the Impressionists were able to bypass the establishment's control. This act of independence helped liberate art from the academic focus on specific subject matter, allowing for a new emphasis on personal expression and the study of the creative process itself. Their decision to exhibit independently not only provided a platform for their own work but also established a foundation for subsequent avant-garde movements.2