What Is the Modern Art Time Period?

Art|Modern Art

The Modern Art time period is the period from the mid-19th century to the present day when art has been predominantly influenced by Western culture. It encompasses a wide variety of movements and styles, including Impressionism, Expressionism, Cubism, Abstraction, Abstract Expressionism and Pop Art.

The beginnings of Modern Art can be traced back to the mid-19th century with the advent of Impressionism.

The movement was characterized by its focus on capturing light and atmosphere in a fleeting moment. This style of painting was led by artists such as Claude Monet and Camille Pissarro who sought to capture the beauty of nature with an impressionistic touch.

The next major influence on Modern Art was Expressionism which began in Germany towards the end of the 19th century. This movement was characterized by an emphasis on emotion and feelings over realism. Artists such as Ernst Kirchner, Emil Nolde and Wassily Kandinsky used bold colours and distorted forms to express their inner turmoil.

Cubism followed shortly after with artists such as Pablo Picasso and Georges Braque attempting to represent objects from multiple perspectives within a single image. This groundbreaking style paved the way for Abstraction which sought to move away from realist depictions altogether towards more abstract forms.

Abstract Expressionism, which began in New York in the 1940s, focused on expressing emotions through large scale brush strokes and intense colours. Artists such as Jackson Pollock, Mark Rothko and Willem de Kooning were some of the most influential figures during this time.

Pop Art, which emerged in Britain during the 1950s, celebrated popular culture through its use of vibrant colours and everyday objects.

The movement was led by artists such as Richard Hamilton, Eduardo Paolozzi and Peter Blake who combined elements of popular culture with traditional painting techniques.

What is The Modern Art Time Period?


The Modern Art time period is an expansive period that began in mid-19th century with Impressionism and continues today with many diverse movements such as Abstract Expressionism, Pop Art and more. It encompasses a wide variety of styles that have helped shaped modern art into what it is today.