Between 1880 and 1915, dark, neutral hues such as gray, brown or blue, often dominated compositions by artists associated with the style.

[1] During the late 1890s, American art critics began to use the term "tonal" to describe these works, as well as the lesser-known synonyms Quietism and Intimism.

[2][3] Two of the leading associated painters were George Inness and James McNeill Whistler.

[4] Tonalism is sometimes used to describe American landscapes derived from the French Barbizon style,[5] which emphasized mood and shadow.

Australian Tonalism emerged as an art movement in Melbourne during the 1910s.