Glossary

7.3 Key movements and artists in modernist art

7 min read•august 13, 2024

Modernist art movements revolutionized visual expression in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. From 's fleeting light to 's raw emotion, artists broke from tradition to explore new ways of seeing and creating.

These movements challenged conventional notions of representation, technique, and artistic purpose. fragmented reality, tapped the unconscious, and Abstract embraced spontaneity. Each movement pushed boundaries, redefining art's role in modern society.

Modernist Art Movements

Impressionism and Post-Impressionism

Top images from around the web for Impressionism and Post-Impressionism

  • File:Paul Gauguin 085.jpg - Wikimedia Commons View original

    Is this image relevant?

  • File:Paul Gauguin 085.jpg - Wikimedia Commons View original

    Is this image relevant?

1 of 2

Top images from around the web for Impressionism and Post-Impressionism

  • File:Paul Gauguin 085.jpg - Wikimedia Commons View original

    Is this image relevant?

  • File:Paul Gauguin 085.jpg - Wikimedia Commons View original

    Is this image relevant?

1 of 2
  • Impressionism captured fleeting moments, light effects, and movement using visible brushstrokes and bright colors
    • 's series paintings ("Haystacks", "Rouen Cathedral") exemplified the interest in capturing transient effects of light and atmosphere on a subject over time
    • Other key artists include Pierre-Auguste Renoir known for his luminous color and intimate scenes of leisure ("Luncheon of the Boating Party") and Edgar Degas who depicted modern life and movement particularly in images of dancers ("The Dance Class")
  • extended Impressionist techniques while emphasizing symbolic content, geometric forms, and unnatural color
    • 's analytical approach to form and space ("Mont Sainte-Victoire", "The Bathers") laid the groundwork for Cubism and abstraction with his reduction of objects to basic geometric shapes
    • used expressive brushwork, vivid color, and distorted forms ("The Starry Night", "Self-Portrait with Bandaged Ear") to convey his inner turmoil and emotional states
    • Paul Gauguin employed flat areas of color, simplified forms, and symbolic content ("Vision After the Sermon", "Where Do We Come From? What Are We? Where Are We Going?") influenced by his travels to Tahiti

Fauvism and Expressionism

  • prioritized intense colors and bold, simplified forms to convey emotions over realism
    • 's vibrant, expressive use of color ("Woman with a Hat", "The Dance") defined the Fauvist aesthetic and influenced later colorists with his belief that art should provide a calming, regenerative experience for the viewer
    • co-founded Fauvism with Matisse and is known for his vivid landscapes ("Houses of Parliament", "Charing Cross Bridge") that used color in an arbitrary, anti-naturalistic way
  • Expressionism distorted forms and used jarring colors to evoke moods or ideas, often exploring anxiety, alienation, and other psychological themes
    • 's haunting images ("The Scream", "Anxiety") conveyed a sense of anguish and existential dread that became a key theme in Expressionist art
    • and other members of the Die Brücke group depicted the decadence and decay of modern urban life ("Berlin Street Scene") using jagged lines, discordant colors, and flattened space
    • pioneered abstract art (" VII") and wrote influential treatises linking colors and forms with spiritual states and musical tones

Cubism, Surrealism and Abstract Expressionism

  • Cubism deconstructed and reassembled subjects from multiple perspectives into abstract, geometric compositions
    • pioneered Cubism with groundbreaking works that fragmented forms and incorporated multiple viewpoints ("Les Demoiselles d'Avignon", "Guernica")
    • co-developed Cubism with Picasso, exploring its potential in still life and landscape paintings ("Violin and Candlestick", "The Portuguese")
  • Surrealism sought to unlock the creative potential of the unconscious mind by juxtaposing illogical elements in bizarre, dreamlike scenes
    • 's meticulously rendered dreamscapes ("The Persistence of Memory", "The Burning Giraffe") became iconic images of the Surrealist movement with their strange juxtapositions and haunting symbolism
    • challenged perceptions of reality with witty, thought-provoking works ("The Treachery of Images", "The Son of Man") that explored the tension between an object and its representation
    • Joan Miró developed a whimsical abstract language ("The Tilled Field", "Harlequin's Carnival") inspired by the subconscious and automatic drawing techniques
  • Abstract Expressionism emphasized spontaneous, gestural mark-making and the physical act of painting itself
    • 's drip paintings ("Number 1, 1948", "Autumn Rhythm") embodied the improvisational approach of Abstract Expressionism and redefined the art-making process as an arena for direct, spontaneous expression
    • 's vigorous brushwork and sensuous use of paint ("Woman I", "Excavation") exemplified the raw, emotive power of the movement
    • 's color field paintings ("No. 61 (Rust and Blue)", "Orange and Yellow") used large expanses of color to evoke deep emotional and spiritual responses in the viewer

Key Modernist Artists

Pioneering Figures

  • Claude Monet was a founder of Impressionism whose series paintings ("Haystacks", "Rouen Cathedral", "Water Lilies") are iconic examples of the movement's focus on capturing fleeting light effects and atmosphere
    • Monet's plein air painting practice, use of visible brushstrokes, and bright color palette revolutionized the way artists approached the depiction of the natural world
  • Paul Cézanne's post-impressionist works ("Mont Sainte-Victoire", "The Bathers", "Still Life with Apples") broke down forms into basic geometric shapes and planes, foreshadowing the development of Cubism and abstraction
    • Cézanne sought to capture the underlying structure and solidity of his subjects, stating his desire "to make of Impressionism something solid and durable, like the art of museums"
  • Henri Matisse was a central figure of Fauvism, known for his bold, expressive use of color and simplified forms ("Woman with a Hat", "The Dance", "The Red Studio")
    • Matisse viewed art as a means of providing comfort and calm, declaring that he dreamed of "an art of balance, of purity and serenity, devoid of troubling or depressing subject matter"

Cubist Innovators

  • Pablo Picasso co-founded Cubism and produced some of the most iconic and influential works of the 20th century ("Les Demoiselles d'Avignon", "Guernica", "Girl Before a Mirror")
    • Picasso's prolific output encompassed a wide range of styles and media, from the fragmented forms of Analytic Cubism to the political engagement of his later work
  • Georges Braque collaborated with Picasso in the development of Cubism, exploring its potential in still life, landscape, and works ("Violin and Candlestick", "The Portuguese", "Fruit Dish and Glass")
    • Braque's paintings and collages often incorporated trompe l'oeil effects, textured surfaces, and stenciled lettering that challenged traditional notions of illusionistic space and representation

Surrealist Visionaries

  • Salvador Dalí's meticulously rendered dreamscapes ("The Persistence of Memory", "The Burning Giraffe", "Swans Reflecting Elephants") are among the most recognizable images of Surrealism
    • Dalí's bizarre juxtapositions, double images, and haunting symbolism drew upon Freudian theories of the unconscious to create unforgettable visions of the irrational and absurd
  • René Magritte's witty, thought-provoking works ("The Treachery of Images", "The Son of Man", "Golconda") challenge perceptions of reality and explore the complex relationship between objects and their representation
    • Magritte's paintings often featured ordinary objects in surreal contexts, accompanied by paradoxical captions that questioned the nature of language and meaning

Abstract Expressionist Giants

  • Jackson Pollock's iconic drip paintings ("Number 1, 1948", "Autumn Rhythm", "Blue Poles") redefined the art-making process as an arena for direct, spontaneous expression
    • Pollock's innovative technique of pouring and dripping paint onto unstretched canvas laid on the floor allowed him to engage his entire body in the act of painting, creating dense webs of color and line
  • Willem de Kooning's energetic, gestural works ("Woman I", "Excavation", "Interchange") exemplify the raw, emotive power of Abstract Expressionism
    • De Kooning's vigorous brushwork, sensuous use of paint, and dynamic compositions blur the boundaries between figuration and abstraction, conveying a sense of vitality and urgency
  • Mark Rothko's meditative color field paintings ("No. 61 (Rust and Blue)", "Orange and Yellow", "Black on Maroon") use large expanses of luminous color to evoke deep emotional and spiritual responses
    • Rothko sought to create immersive environments that would engulf the viewer, stating his desire to express "basic human emotions – tragedy, ecstasy, doom, and so on" through the power of color and scale

Modernist Art Movements: Approaches vs Styles

Representational vs Non-Representational

  • Impressionism, Post-Impressionism, and Fauvism maintained a connection to observable reality, even as they prioritized perceptual experience, expressive color, and simplified forms over strict naturalism
    • Claude Monet's series paintings, Paul Cézanne's landscapes, and Henri Matisse's portraits and interiors all depict recognizable subjects, albeit transformed by the artist's subjective vision and artistic concerns
  • Cubism, Abstract Expressionism, and some Surrealist works moved towards complete abstraction, breaking down or eliminating references to the visible world in favor of pure form, color, and gesture
    • Pablo Picasso and Georges Braque's later Cubist works, Jackson Pollock's drip paintings, and Mark Rothko's color field canvases are non-representational, focusing on the inherent properties and expressive potential of the medium itself

Emotional Expression vs Intellectual Analysis

  • Fauvism, Expressionism, and Abstract Expressionism prioritized the direct communication of emotions and inner states through bold, expressive use of color, form, and gesture
    • Henri Matisse's vibrant Fauvist works, Edvard Munch's psychologically charged images, and Willem de Kooning's energetic canvases all seek to convey a sense of raw, unmediated feeling and personal experience
  • Cubism and some Surrealist works emphasized intellectual analysis, exploring concepts of perception, representation, and the nature of reality through fragmentation, juxtaposition, and symbolic imagery
    • Pablo Picasso and Georges Braque's Cubist experiments, René Magritte's paradoxical scenes, and Salvador Dalí's dreamscapes engage the viewer's mind as much as their senses, inviting reflection on the complex relationship between art, language, and meaning

Spontaneity vs Control

  • Impressionism, Fauvism, and Abstract Expressionism celebrated spontaneity, improvisation, and the physical act of painting, often prioritizing capturing a fleeting moment or emotional impulse over careful planning and execution
    • Claude Monet's plein air paintings, Henri Matisse's intuitive use of color, and Jackson Pollock's drip technique all emphasize the artist's immediate, unpremeditated response to their subject or medium
  • Post-Impressionism, Cubism, and Surrealism demonstrated a greater degree of control and deliberation in their approach, carefully structuring compositions, manipulating forms, and employing symbolic or allegorical content to convey specific ideas or narratives
    • Paul Cézanne's precisely structured still lifes and landscapes, Pablo Picasso's methodical deconstruction and reassembly of form in Cubism, and Salvador Dalí's meticulously rendered dreamscapes all reflect a more calculated, intentional approach to image-making

Key Terms to Review (34)

Abstract Expressionism: Abstract Expressionism is an art movement that emerged in the mid-20th century, characterized by spontaneous, automatic, or subconscious creation, focusing on the expression of emotions and personal experiences rather than representational forms. This movement connects deeply with various concepts in art theory and criticism, as it challenges traditional notions of representation and pushes the boundaries of what art can be.
André Derain: André Derain was a French artist and a prominent figure in the Fauvism movement, known for his use of bold colors and expressive brushwork. He played a crucial role in the development of modernist art, particularly through his innovative approaches to color theory and composition. Derain's work reflects a shift away from realism, embracing abstraction and emotional expression, which were foundational elements in the origins of modernism.
Automatism: Automatism is a technique in art that allows artists to tap into their subconscious mind and create works without the constraints of conscious control or rational thought. This method emerged prominently within the context of modernist art, particularly among movements like Surrealism, where artists sought to explore the depths of human creativity and emotion through spontaneous and instinctive expression. By prioritizing instinctual marks and gestures, automatism challenges traditional artistic processes and reveals deeper psychological truths.
Bourriaud's Relational Aesthetics: Bourriaud's relational aesthetics is a contemporary art theory that emphasizes the social interactions and relationships that art can create, rather than focusing solely on the artwork itself. This approach argues that the meaning of art emerges through the connections and dialogues established between artists and audiences, highlighting experiences and participation over traditional notions of artistic value. It reflects a shift in art practices, connecting to broader cultural movements that prioritize community engagement and shared experiences.
Claude Monet: Claude Monet was a French painter and a founder of Impressionism, an art movement that sought to capture the effects of light and color in the moment. His work emphasized the importance of perception and the fleeting nature of time, which led to innovative techniques like loose brushwork and vibrant color palettes that defined modernist art.
Collage: Collage is an art technique that involves assembling different materials, such as paper, photographs, fabric, and other found objects, onto a single surface to create a new work of art. This method allows artists to express their imagination and creativity by juxtaposing various elements, often leading to unexpected narratives or emotional impacts. Collage is a significant practice in modern art, reflecting a departure from traditional forms of representation and opening doors to innovative ways of creating meaning.
Color theory: Color theory is a conceptual framework that explains how colors interact, how they can be combined, and how they can evoke emotions and responses. It plays a crucial role in the creation and interpretation of art, guiding artists in their use of color to communicate ideas, create harmony, and elicit feelings in viewers.
Composition: Composition refers to the arrangement of visual elements in a work of art, which includes how shapes, colors, forms, and lines are organized to create a cohesive whole. The effectiveness of a composition greatly influences how the viewer perceives and interacts with the artwork, guiding their eye and evoking emotions. It plays a crucial role in conveying meaning and intent, serving as a foundation for both theoretical analysis and practical creation.
Cubism: Cubism is an influential art movement that emerged in the early 20th century, characterized by the use of geometric shapes and fragmented forms to depict subjects from multiple viewpoints. This innovative approach not only revolutionized the representation of space and form in art but also laid the groundwork for various modern artistic practices and theories.
Edvard Munch: Edvard Munch was a Norwegian painter and printmaker, best known for his iconic work 'The Scream,' which captures deep emotional experiences and existential angst. His work is pivotal in the transition from late 19th-century Symbolism to early 20th-century Expressionism, emphasizing psychological themes and the human condition.
Ernst Ludwig Kirchner: Ernst Ludwig Kirchner was a German painter and printmaker, and a key figure in the Expressionist movement. He co-founded the Die Brücke (The Bridge) group, which sought to create a new artistic style that expressed raw emotional experience through bold colors and dynamic forms, distinguishing itself from the traditional art of the time. His work is characterized by its vibrant use of color, distorted forms, and exploration of modern life.
Expressionism: Expressionism is an art movement that emphasizes the emotional and subjective experience of the artist, often using bold colors, distorted forms, and exaggerated lines to convey feelings and moods. This movement arose in response to the constraints of realism and sought to represent the inner emotions and psychological states of individuals rather than depict the external world accurately.
Fauvism: Fauvism is an early 20th-century art movement characterized by its use of bold, non-naturalistic colors and brushwork, focusing on the emotional expression of the artist rather than realism. This movement played a significant role in the development of modernist art by challenging traditional methods and emphasizing individual artistic freedom, aligning with the avant-garde spirit of innovation that defined the era.
Georges Braque: Georges Braque was a French painter and sculptor who, along with Pablo Picasso, played a crucial role in developing Cubism, a revolutionary art movement that fragmented objects into geometric shapes and multiple perspectives. His innovative approach to composition and form paved the way for modernist art, reflecting the break from traditional representation and embracing abstraction.
Greenberg's Formalism: Greenberg's Formalism is an art criticism theory proposed by Clement Greenberg, emphasizing the importance of the visual elements of art, such as color, line, and composition, over narrative or representational aspects. This approach advocates for the idea that the medium of painting should focus on its own properties rather than depict external subjects, positioning modernist art as a form that is self-critical and self-referential.
Henri Matisse: Henri Matisse was a French painter, sculptor, and graphic artist known for being one of the leading figures of modern art, particularly within the Fauvism movement. His bold use of color, expressive forms, and innovative compositions played a crucial role in the origins and evolution of modernist art, influencing countless artists and movements that followed.
High art vs. low art: High art refers to cultural products that are often seen as refined, elite, and of significant artistic value, typically associated with institutions like museums and galleries. Low art, in contrast, encompasses more accessible, popular forms of culture that may be dismissed as lacking in depth or seriousness, such as commercial art, street art, or popular music. This distinction has implications for the perception of various artistic movements and their creators.
Impressionism: Impressionism is an art movement that originated in the late 19th century, characterized by a focus on capturing light, color, and everyday scenes through loose brushwork and vibrant hues. This movement challenged traditional artistic techniques and perspectives, emphasizing the artist's perception of a moment rather than precise detail, and significantly influenced both art theory and criticism, aesthetic experiences, representation, modernist art, and the criteria for evaluating art.
Industrial Revolution: The Industrial Revolution was a period of significant economic, technological, and social transformation that began in the late 18th century and continued into the 19th century, primarily in Europe and North America. It marked a shift from agrarian economies to industrialized ones, profoundly influencing the production of goods, urbanization, and the overall nature of work, which in turn impacted artistic expression and critical thought.
Jackson Pollock: Jackson Pollock was an influential American painter known for his pioneering role in the abstract expressionist movement, particularly through his unique drip painting technique. His work emphasizes the spontaneous and unconscious nature of creativity, reflecting a departure from traditional artistic methods and a focus on the physical act of painting as a form of artistic expression.
Mark Rothko: Mark Rothko was an American painter known for his contributions to abstract expressionism, particularly through his large, color field paintings that evoke emotional depth and spirituality. His work emphasizes the role of color and form over representational imagery, encouraging viewers to engage with art through personal interpretation and emotional response.
Modernism vs. postmodernism: Modernism and postmodernism are two distinct cultural, artistic, and philosophical movements that emerged in response to the complexities of the modern world. Modernism is characterized by a belief in progress, rationality, and the pursuit of truth, often manifesting in innovative artistic styles and the rejection of traditional forms. In contrast, postmodernism challenges the notions of universality and objective truth, embracing relativism, fragmentation, and the blurring of boundaries between high and low culture, which has led to a rethinking of artistic expression and meaning.
Pablo Picasso: Pablo Picasso was a Spanish painter, sculptor, printmaker, ceramicist, and stage designer who is widely regarded as one of the most influential artists of the 20th century. His innovative approaches to form and abstraction not only changed the direction of modern art but also sparked debates in art theory and criticism about the nature and purpose of artistic expression.
Paul Cézanne: Paul Cézanne was a French painter whose work is often seen as a bridge between Impressionism and the emerging style of modern art. His innovative approach to form, color, and perspective laid the groundwork for many 20th-century art movements, influencing artists like Picasso and Matisse. Cézanne's emphasis on the underlying structure of objects rather than their appearance helped to redefine how art could be perceived and created.
Post-impressionism: Post-impressionism is an art movement that emerged in the late 19th century as a reaction to Impressionism, characterized by a focus on individual expression, symbolism, and the use of color to convey emotion. This movement marked a significant shift towards modern art, as artists sought to push beyond the limitations of Impressionism by exploring deeper themes and more structured forms, paving the way for future avant-garde movements and artistic innovation.
René Magritte: René Magritte was a Belgian surrealist artist known for his thought-provoking and whimsical paintings that challenge perceptions of reality. His work often features everyday objects placed in unusual contexts, prompting viewers to question the nature of reality and representation. Magritte's art reflects the evolution of modernist thought, emphasizing the importance of ideas over traditional artistic techniques.
Salvador Dalí: Salvador Dalí was a prominent Spanish surrealist artist known for his striking and eccentric works that challenged conventional perceptions of reality and the subconscious. His imaginative approach to art not only influenced the Surrealist movement but also had a lasting impact on modernist art, avant-garde practices, and the development of art theory and criticism.
Surrealism: Surrealism is an artistic and literary movement that emerged in the early 20th century, characterized by its exploration of the unconscious mind and the blending of reality with dreamlike elements. This movement sought to challenge conventional perceptions of reality by embracing irrationality, spontaneity, and unexpected juxtapositions in art and literature.
Surrealist manifesto: The surrealist manifesto is a foundational document of the Surrealist movement, published by André Breton in 1924. It articulates the principles and objectives of Surrealism, emphasizing the importance of the unconscious mind, dreams, and the exploration of irrationality in art and literature. This manifesto not only laid the groundwork for Surrealism as a key movement in modernist art but also influenced various artists, writers, and thinkers to challenge conventional perceptions of reality.
The Armory Show: The Armory Show, officially known as the International Exhibition of Modern Art, was a groundbreaking art exhibition held in New York City in 1913 that introduced American audiences to modernist art and movements. This event marked a significant turning point in the art world, showcasing works from European avant-garde artists alongside American artists and challenging traditional notions of art, representation, and cultural identity.
Vincent van Gogh: Vincent van Gogh was a Dutch post-impressionist painter whose work had a profound influence on 20th-century art. Known for his emotive use of color and expressive brushwork, he conveyed intense feelings through his art, often focusing on themes of nature, life struggles, and human emotions. His innovative techniques and distinctive style mark him as a key figure in the transition from traditional forms of representation to modern artistic expressions.
Wassily Kandinsky: Wassily Kandinsky was a Russian painter and art theorist, widely regarded as a pioneer of abstract art. His work emphasized the spiritual and emotional resonance of color and form, fundamentally influencing the role of imagination and creativity in art, as well as shaping the evolution of modernist and avant-garde movements.
Willem de Kooning: Willem de Kooning was a Dutch-American artist, widely recognized as a key figure in the Abstract Expressionist movement. His work is characterized by a dynamic interplay between abstraction and figuration, often depicting distorted human figures with energetic brushstrokes. De Kooning's contributions to modernist art reflect a deep engagement with the expressive potential of paint, challenging traditional notions of representation and beauty.
World War I Impact on Art: The impact of World War I on art refers to the profound changes in artistic expression, themes, and movements that emerged as a direct response to the war and its aftermath. This conflict influenced artists to explore new styles and subjects, leading to shifts in traditional forms of representation and the birth of various modernist movements that grappled with themes of disillusionment, trauma, and the human condition in a rapidly changing world.
© 2024 Fiveable Inc. All rights reserved.
AP® and SAT® are trademarks registered by the College Board, which is not affiliated with, and does not endorse this website.
Back
Practice QuizGlossary
Practice QuizGlossary
Next guide