When Did Modern Art Start and End?

Art|Modern Art

Modern art is a term used to describe the art of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It is generally characterized by a break from traditional art forms and an embrace of new technologies, materials, and techniques. The origins of modern art are traced back to the Industrial Revolution, when the mechanization of production made mass-produced goods available to a wider range of consumers. This shift in production opened up opportunities for experimentation with new materials, techniques, and forms.

The first major movement in modern art was Impressionism, which emerged in France in the late 1800s. This movement was characterized by an emphasis on capturing light and color in paintings, as opposed to the more realistic approach favored by earlier movements. Impressionism was followed by Post-Impressionism, which was similarly concerned with representing emotions through color and light but also embraced symbolism and abstraction.

The next major movement in modern art was Cubism, which began in France around 1910. This movement rejected traditional perspective systems and instead focused on abstracted forms that emphasized geometric shapes and planes. Cubism was followed by Futurism, which celebrated the dynamism of technology and industry while embracing a more abstracted approach to painting.

In the mid-20th century, abstract expressionism emerged as another major movement in modern art. This movement embraced spontaneity and expression over form or content. Abstract expressionism was followed by Pop Art, which celebrated popular culture through bold colors and images of everyday objects such as Campbell’s Soup cans or Coca-Cola bottles.

When Did Modern Art Start And End?


Modern art began with Impressionism in the late 1800s and ended with Pop Art in the mid-20th century. It is often seen as spanning roughly 150 years from 1870 to 1970 but this timeline is highly debated as different movements may have started or ended at different times depending on where they originated from or when they achieved widespread recognition.

In conclusion, modern art began with Impressionism at the end of the 19th century and ended with Pop Art at mid-20th century although this timeline can vary depending on who you ask or where certain movements originated from or when they achieved recognition.