Understanding Modern Art: A Simple Explanation

Have you ever seen a painting in a modern art museum and wondered what it means? Yes, modern arts (paintings) are unusual artworks to look at. Usually, artists say that the meaning of a painting differs from person to person and it depends on the way they look at it.

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The modern art that is developing for around a hundred years, incorporates many forward-thinking artists along with their many different and major art movements. It can also be said that modern art has different genres and doesn’t fit inside some specific genre.

Development of Modern Art

Especially after the French Industrial Revolution, many artists wished and wanted to move away from the traditional art forms and wanted to bring something new and fresh that captures and showcases the modern especially industrial lifestyle.

Arts that came around the late 90s and early 20s can be listed under modern art. These paintings from the artists were reinterpreted and reimagined and traditional styles were also rejected to bring out a new art form called modern art.

 

Modernism or Modern Art

Modern art can be characterized by moving away from traditional styles and using modern styles, techniques and media. In these fast-modernizing environments, artists wanted to create special artworks that reflect modern day culture, materials and images.

Modern art can be said as the ones that artists wanted to create for a long time. It usually has bright and vibrant colours, expressive forms and shapes, bold brushstrokes along with new concepts exploration.

 

Major movements of Modernism

Different artists make different movements possible through their artworks in modern arts. Some of the major movements of modernism are:

1.   Impressionism

2.   Post impressionism

3.   Fauvism

4.   Expressionism

5.   Cubism

6.   Surrealism

7.   Abstract expressionism

Impressionism

Impressionism usually looks airy and light. It has a focus on light and the artists use a vivid colour palette. These are usually the realistic depictions of academic paintings. They also include brushstrokes that are blurred and ultimately, impressionism acts as a catalyst for modernism.

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Post impressionism

Post-impressionism began in the 1890s. These artworks will be distinctive and contain unconventional styles. These paintings will always showcase an interest in emotions and give preference to subjective interpretation.

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Fauvism 

Early 20th century was the time when Fauvism first appeared. Fauvists also had unrealistic tones in their paintings and gave an emphasis on individual perceptions like the post-impressionists did. These paintings also contain some abstracted forms.

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Expressionism

Expressionism arts usually portray individualistic iconography. Back in the 1900s, before the first World War, the German and Austrian painters thought of experimenting their ideas to practise. The expressionist arts convey a fascination with bright artificial colours.

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Cubism

Cubism consists of deconstructed and fractured forms which gives a shift towards abstraction. Like other modern art movements, this cubism emphasized a very subjective approach to creating. It has multi-dimensional sculptures, cutting edge collages and turvy paintings.

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Surrealism

Coming to Surrealism, as the word suggests, it consists of paintings that just look surreal. It characterizes dreamlike images with beautiful scenes. It actually emerged in the early twentieth century and it paves a way for exploring subconsciousness.

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Abstract expressionism

This movement uses abstract aesthetic techniques and works to explore human experiences. It helps in capturing the innermost emotions and experiences of the painter. This movement actually emerged after the Second World War and helps in emphasizing the artist’s psychological as well as emotional state.

Modern Art Vs Contemporary Art

Contemporary art is nothing but the arts or paintings that are painted from the second half of the 20th century to modern day arts. Contemporary artists can be found working in the fields of Digital art, installation art, performance art, photography, street art, Earth art and video art.

It can be simply said as the arts or paintings that are produced or made by the artists living today. It includes minimalism, pop arts and other movements.

The main difference between contemporary art and modern art is the time period difference. Modern art arrived in the early 20s and contemporary art is the one that emerged after the 1970s and exists till today.

Modern art denotes arts with the characterization of abstraction. Contemporary arts denote today’s concepts and have a large variety and are difficult to define in a particular way.

Thus, as we navigate the complex world of art, let us appreciate modern art's ability to evoke emotions, ignite conversations, and transcend the boundaries of conventionality, making it truly a powerful and invaluable form of artistic expression.

The simplicity found within modern art is not a lack of skill or effort, but rather a deliberate choice by artists to convey their message with a raw and unfiltered impact. Whether it's through abstract paintings, minimalist sculptures, or unconventional installations, modern art provides a platform for expression, exploration, and introspection.

 

Written by -  Saumiyaa K S

Edited by -  Akshita Bist