What Is Abstract Art History?

Art|Art History

Abstract art history is a branch of the visual arts that has developed over the past century. It is characterized by an emphasis on form, line, color, and composition rather than on narrative or realism. While traditionally associated with painting, abstract art can also be found in other forms such as photography and sculpture.

The roots of abstract art can be traced back to the late 19th century, when artists like Wassily Kandinsky began experimenting with non-representational forms in their work. This was part of a wider movement known as Expressionism which sought to express emotions and feelings through art. The movement gained traction in the early 20th century with artists such as Piet Mondrian and Kazimir Malevich who produced paintings that were completely devoid of any recognizable subject matter.

In the 1950s and 60s, abstract expressionism emerged as a reaction to previous movements such as cubism and surrealism. This style focused on creating intense emotional experiences through gestural brushstrokes and vibrant colors. Artists such as Jackson Pollock, Willem de Kooning, Mark Rothko, and Clyfford Still are considered some of the leading figures of this movement.

Since then, abstract art has continued to evolve with various subgenres emerging including Op Art, Minimalism, Neo-Expressionism, Neo-Geo and Postmodernism. These styles all have their own distinct characteristics but they all share a common focus on creating works that are visually suggestive rather than representational.

What Is Abstract Art History?

Abstract art history is a branch of visual arts that has developed over time from its roots in late 19th century Expressionism to its more modern subgenres such as Op Art and Neo-Geo. It is characterized by an emphasis on form, line, color, composition rather than narrative or realism while exploring emotional experiences through gestural brush strokes and vibrant colors. Abstract art continues to evolve today with various styles attempting to capture meaningful visual experiences beyond traditional representational artwork.