The Pop Art movement began in the 1950s, as a reaction against the more traditional forms of art. It was a movement that sought to challenge traditional notions of what was considered ‘art’ and to create works that were accessible to a wider audience. The main influences on the movement were the ideas of British artist Richard Hamilton, American artist Jasper Johns, and French painter Marcel Duchamp.
Hamilton was credited with developing the concept of Pop Art which sought to bring everyday objects into the realm of art. He believed that art should be accessible to everyone and rejected traditional artistic conventions. He championed popular culture and used images from commercial advertising, comic books, magazines and newspapers in his works.
Johns was another key figure in the Pop Art movement who created paintings using everyday objects such as flags and beer cans. His use of bold colours and commercial logos made his work instantly recognizable. He also had a fascination with repetition and used it often in his work.
Duchamp was another influential figure who challenged traditional notions of art by producing works such as Fountain, a urinal which he submitted for an exhibition in 1917. This daring move caused outrage amongst the artistic establishment but it also sparked debate about what constituted as art.
These three artists were all influential in creating a new visual language that challenged traditional concepts of art. By incorporating popular culture into their work they created an accessible style that appealed to a wider audience. The combination of these ideas is what started the Pop Art movement.
In conclusion, what started the Pop Art movement was a combination of ideas from British artist Richard Hamilton, American artist Jasper Johns and French painter Marcel Duchamp. These three figures challenged traditional conceptions of art by incorporating popular culture into their works and creating an accessible style which appealed to a wider audience.