Impressionism is a style that is closely associated with Claude Monet, it's title even derives from the title of a Claude Monet work, "Impression, soleil levant" (Impression, Sunrise). It was coined by the critic Louis Leroy in a satirical review called "The Exhibition of the Impressionists" published in the Parisian newspaper Le Charivari. His misjudgement has gone down in history as one of the biggest art blunders of all time, even while his words unwittingly heralded one of art's most influential movements.
"The 19th-century art movement was characterized by relatively small, thin, yet visible brush strokes, open composition, emphasis on accurate depiction of light in its changing qualities (often accentuating the effects of the passage of time), ordinary subject matter, unusual visual angles, and inclusion of movement as a crucial element of human perception and experience." (Wikipedia)
Richard pays homage to the impressionist movement with his impasto technique, eye for colour and light and sense of atmosphere.