A Pivotal Chapter of Modern Art

Due to the rapid change of transportation and technology in the Industrial Revolution, the birth of modernism and notably modern art began in the mid-18th century. This wave of movement affected profoundly social, economic, and cultural conditions, both in Western Europe, North America, and eventually the world. What are some of the major art movements indeed?

Impressionism (印象派)

• Emerged in the late 19th century in France

• Unlike traditional art focusing on details, Impressionist used loose brushstrokes to highlight the essence of a scene

• Common subjects includes landscapes and daily life, most distinctive features was “en plein air”, where artists painted outdoors to capture the changing natural light

• Claude Monet, Impression, Sunrise (1872)

Post-Impressionism (後印象派)

• Emerged in the late 1880s

• Focused on emotions expression rather than reality portray

• Marked by symbolism, structure, and even early forms of abstraction

• A diverse collection of approaches by artists who pushed the boundaries, instead of a single unified style

• Vincent van Gogh, The Starry Night (1889)

Fauvism (野獸派)

• Began around 1905 and lasted until 1910

• Figures appear in bright greens, landscapes in fiery reds, or skies in deep purples, to convey the artist’s inner feelings and mood

• Henri Matisse, Woman with a Hat (1905)

Expressionism (表現主義)

• Emerged in the early 20th century

• Rapid industrialization, urbanization, and rising social tension that led to WWI created an atmosphere of alienation and anxiety

• Upon bold color use of Fauvism, it took this to the next level with distorted forms, exaggerated lines, and unconventional hues

• Edvard Munch, The Scream (1893)

Cubism (立體主義)

• Developed around 1907 by Pablo Picasso and Georges Braque

• Fragmented shapes, geometric forms, and contrasting angles are used for abstract composition, rather than realistic depiction

• Question established norms and explored new dimensions of reality, marking a pivotal step toward abstraction

• Pablo Picasso, Guernica (1937)

Futurism (未來主義)

• Emerging around 1909 in Italy

• Founded by Italian poet Filippo Tommaso Marinetti, who rejected the past and championed a bold vision of the future 

• Focused on the speed, energy, and vitality of the world, and sought to capture the dynamic essence of modern life, celebrating the power and chaos of industrial progress

• Characterized by dynamic compositions, vibrant colors, and repeating forms, all designed to evoke motion and excitement

• Giacomo Balla, Abstract Speed and Sound (1913-1914)

Dadaism (達達主義)

• Emerged in contrast to the optimism and energy celebrated, as the destruction and chaos of WWI unfolded

• Aimed to question societal norms, challenge traditional values, redefine what art could be and confront the absurdity of the times

• Marcel Duchamp, Fountain (1917)

Surrealism (超現實主義)

• Born in the 1920s

• Explored dreams and unconscious mind and created unsettling visuals defied from logical explanations, to unlock the depths of the human psyche

• Employed techniques such as automatic drawing, dream imagery, and surprising combination of object, stepping into a world where reality and fantasy blur together

• Salvador Dalí, The Persistence of Memory (1931)

Minimalism (極簡主義)

• Emerged in the mid-20th century

• “Less is more.”

• Commit to simplicity and reduction, and explore fundamental elements in visual art

• No deeper understanding, focused on aesthetics, structure and texture rather than artist’s individuality or self-expression

• Piet Mondriaan, Composition with Large Red Plane, Yellow, Black, Grey and Blue (1921)