What Does Abstraction Mean in Art History?

Art|Art History

Abstraction in art history is the use of visual elements to create art without relying on realistic or representational elements. It is a way for an artist to express feelings and emotions without having to be tied down to the specifics of a representation. Abstraction can take many forms, from using geometric shapes and curves, to abstracting reality by using colours and textures.

Abstract art has been around for centuries, with examples dating back to the early Renaissance period. Artists such as Giotto di Bondone and Fra Angelico used abstract elements in their work, although their pieces are still recognisable as representations of religious themes.

One thing that sets these pieces apart from other forms of art at the time was their use of colour and composition to draw attention away from the representational aspects of their works. The use of abstraction allowed them to freely express themselves through their paintings.

Over time, abstract art continued to evolve and develop into a form that was more focused on creating images out of shapes and colours rather than depicting a specific subject. Artists such as Wassily Kandinsky, Piet Mondrian, Paul Klee, and Joan Miró were pioneers in this type of visual expression. They were some of the first artists to explore the possibilities offered by abstracting reality in order to create something new and expressive.

Today, abstraction remains a popular form of artistic expression for many modern artists. While there are still traditionalists who favour representational works, there is no denying that abstract art has come into its own over the past century.

Artists now have more freedom than ever before when it comes to expressing themselves through this medium. From colourful geometric shapes, to gestural brush strokes or organic forms; abstraction allows an artist’s imagination run wild.

Conclusion:

Abstraction in art history is an important milestone in the development of visual arts as it allows artists to express themselves without having to be tied down by traditional techniques or representational elements. Over time it has evolved into its own unique form which can be seen in many modern works today.