The beginning of modern art is often traced back to the late 19th century, when a number of new artistic movements began to emerge. These movements, such as Impressionism, Expressionism, Fauvism and Cubism, rejected the traditions of academic art in favour of experimentation and innovation. The goal was to capture an immediate response or reaction to a visual experience, rather than attempting to accurately represent reality.
The Impressionists were the first group to break away from traditional art forms. They aimed to capture fleeting impressions of light and colour by painting outdoors in natural light.
This was a radical departure from the studio-based approach used by earlier artists such as the Old Masters. The Impressionists also favoured a loose, broken brushstroke technique which allowed them to capture the feeling of movement and atmosphere.
The Expressionists followed in the footsteps of the Impressionists but took their work in a more abstract direction. Instead of trying to accurately represent reality, they sought to express emotions and inner feelings through bold colours and distorted forms. Artists such as Wassily Kandinsky were among the first Expressionist painters.
Fauvism developed in France at around the same time as Expressionism. Fauvist painters used bright colours and exaggerated forms to create images that were vibrant and full of energy. Painters like Henri Matisse used intense colours and exaggerated lines in their work, creating works that were both visually stunning and emotionally charged.
Cubism was one of the most influential movements of modern art. Cubist painters such as Pablo Picasso broke down objects into their constituent parts before reassembling them into flattened planes and shapes which created an entirely new way of looking at familiar objects. This revolutionary approach changed how we look at art forever.
Conclusion:
What is clear is that modern art began with a rebellion against traditional forms and techniques in favour of experimentation with new ways of seeing reality. Through these innovative approaches, artists were able to create some truly revolutionary works that have shaped our understanding of art today.