Modern art and abstract art are two terms that are often used interchangeably but are actually quite distinct. Modern art refers to the artistic production of the late 19th century through to the present day, while abstract art is a specific type of modern art where the artist uses a variety of techniques, such as lines, shapes, and colours to create an artwork that does not represent anything in nature.
Modern art is a diverse category which includes many different styles and movements such as Impressionism, Expressionism, Fauvism, Cubism, Surrealism and more recently Pop Art. These movements all feature artists who use a wide range of techniques in their works including realism, abstraction and surrealism. The term ‘modern’ was used to describe these styles as they were seen as being innovative and forward-thinking at the time.
Abstract art on the other hand is a much more specific type of modern art. It is characterised by its lack of representational elements, instead relying on line, shape and colour to create an artwork that does not represent anything in nature.
It was developed during the early 20th century by artists such as Wassily Kandinsky who believed that painting should be free from any external references or symbolism. Abstract art has since become one of the most recognisable forms of modern art with its bright colours and bold shapes making it instantly recognisable.
Although both modern art and abstract art are seen as being part of the same artistic movement they are actually quite distinct. Modern art encompasses many different styles while abstract art has its own distinct set of characteristics which make it easily identifiable. Despite this though they both share a common goal – to produce artwork that is innovative and forward-thinking in order to push boundaries and challenge existing conventions within the world of art.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, it can be seen that although modern art and abstract art have many similarities they are still two distinct forms of expression within the world of fine arts. Modern refers to all artistic production from the late 19th century up until today while abstract specifically refers to works which rely solely on line, shape and colour without any representations from nature.