Modern art is a term used to describe the art that emerged in the late 19th century and continued to grow and develop throughout the 20th century. It was one of the most important periods in art history, as it marked the beginning of a new way of looking at and creating art. The foundations of modern art were laid by various movements such as Impressionism, Post-Impressionism, Cubism, Fauvism and Surrealism.
The 19th century was a period of great change, with industrialisation and globalisation taking hold.
This had an impact on many aspects of life, including art. At this time, painters began to challenge traditional conventions and create works that sought to express the new ideas, feelings and experiences of modern life. This period saw the emergence of movements such as Impressionism that depicted everyday scenes in bright colours with loose brushstrokes. Post-Impressionists such as Paul Cézanne and Vincent van Gogh also introduced new ideas into their paintings, while Pablo Picasso revolutionised painting with his Cubist works.
The 20th century continued to be marked by artistic innovation. New movements such as Fauvism and Surrealism emerged, while Expressionists sought to delve deeper into emotion through their work. Abstract Expressionists combined techniques from all these movements to create non-representational works that explored colour and form on a deeper level than ever before.
Socio-Political Factors
The social and political context also had an influence on modern art during this time. As more countries achieved independence from colonial rule, many artists began exploring themes related to national identity in their work. Artists from former colonies like India began creating works that reflected their own cultures rather than those imposed upon them by colonial powers.
Technological Advances
Technological advances also played a role in shaping modern art. The invention of photography allowed for experimentation with image manipulation techniques like photomontage and photo collage which had not been possible before. The rise of cinema enabled filmmakers to explore different ways of telling stories visually through montage techniques or tracking shots.
Conclusion
To conclude, there were many factors that contributed to the emergence and development of modern art during the 19th and 20th centuries – social change, political upheaval, technological advances – all combined to shape this revolutionary period in art history.