What Is Difference Between Modern Art and Contemporary Art?

Art|Modern Art

Modern and contemporary art are two different periods in art history that are often confusing for many people to distinguish between. While the two both share many similarities, there are also some key differences that set them apart.

Modern art is a period of time that began in the late 19th century, and ended around World War II.

During this period, artists pushed the boundaries of what was considered traditional art and explored new styles, techniques, mediums and concepts. This period was characterized by an emphasis on abstraction, experimentation and a rejection of traditional conventions. One of the most notable characteristics of modern art is that it often rejected traditional subject matter such as religion or classical portraiture in favor of abstract compositions or scenes from everyday life.

Contemporary art is a term used to describe artwork that has been created after 1945 up until today. This period is marked by a departure from traditional ways of making art and embraces new technologies, global influences and non-traditional materials.

It is characterized by its diversity and often reflects current socio-political issues as well as global trends in culture. Commonly used materials include photography, video, digital media and installations.

The main difference between modern art and contemporary art is their respective time frames. Modern art refers to artwork created during the late 19th century to 1945 while contemporary art encompasses artwork created after 1945 up until today. Both movements have their own unique characteristics with modernism emphasizing abstraction while contemporary art embraces diversity with global influences.

In conclusion, modern and contemporary art represent two distinct periods in time but they share many similarities as well. Modernism pushed the boundaries of traditional artistic conventions while contemporary art embraces new technologies and global influences. Knowing the difference between these two periods can help you better appreciate artwork from different eras.