Modern art is a term used to describe the art that has been created since the 1860s, when many traditional art forms were being challenged and replaced with new concepts and techniques. It is often characterized by its use of abstract shapes and vivid colors, as well as its focus on the concept of beauty. The five major modern art movements include Impressionism, Expressionism, Cubism, Surrealism, and Pop Art.
Impressionism
Impressionism emerged in France in the late 19th century. It was a reaction to traditional academic painting techniques which focused on realism.
Impressionist painters instead sought to capture the fleeting effects of light and color. They used broken brush strokes and a variety of colors in their paintings to create an overall effect rather than an exact representation of reality.
Expressionism
Expressionism emerged in Germany at the start of the 20th century. It was a direct response to Impressionism and focused on conveying emotion through abstraction. Expressionist painters used bold colors and distorted forms to express feelings such as angst or despair.
Cubism
Cubism was developed by Pablo Picasso and Georges Braque in France during the early part of the 20th century. It sought to portray multiple perspectives of an object at once by breaking it down into geometric shapes that could be viewed from different angles. Cubist paintings often feature intersecting planes that create a sense of depth within flat images.
Surrealism
Surrealism was developed by French writer André Breton in 1924 as a reaction against rational thought and materialistic worldviews. Surrealist works often feature dream-like imagery that has been distorted or exaggerated for effect. Its goal is to explore hidden emotions within the subconscious mind.
Pop Art
Pop Art emerged in England during the 1950s as a reaction against Abstract Expressionist painting techniques. It focuses on popular culture such as consumer products, celebrities, or everyday objects, which are represented with bright colors and bold lines. Pop Art sought to blur boundaries between high culture and mass culture by incorporating elements from both into its works.
Conclusion:
The five major modern art movements are Impressionism, Expressionism, Cubism, Surrealism, and Pop Art. Each movement has its own unique characteristics which set it apart from others but all share a common goal – to challenge traditional conventions and explore new ways of seeing beauty in our world today.