To many of us, art is simply something to appreciate visually and admire momentarily. However, with art, there’s always more to learn. Behind the work, there is inspiration and growth—growth that we can track through movements in time.
There are infinitely many art movements, but most, if not all, can be described within ten essential categories: Line Art, Realism, Surrealism, Impressionism, Post-Impressionism, Cubism, Futurism, Pop Art, Minimalism, and Postmodernism.
Of course, in any given piece of artwork, you’re sure to see some overlap between movements—art is not something to so clearly define with one single term. Nevertheless, here are a few of the biggest artistic movements in history.
Line Art is a concept that exists within every art movement—even in the earliest cave drawings. It is integrated into our very idea of art and can be traditional or modern (think of Leonardo da Vinci or Cecily Brown). As a result, the definition of Line Art is incredibly broad: the usage of lines within or as art.
Realism is commonly traced back to France, specifically after the French Revolution of 1848. At the time, the vast majority of art depicted mythical images from the Bible or other works. However, in Realism, painters depicted scenes of everyday, contemporary life; many saw it as a rejection of the increasingly popular Romanticism. Artists also showcased issues that followed the Industrial Revolution, narrowing in on societal hierarchies. Realism continues to be popular in art today.
Surrealism, inspired by Sigmund Freud and his psychoanalytic theories, first emerged around 1924. Much like Modern Art, Surrealism worked to break free everyday reality’s restrictions. Instead, Surrealist artists worked by zeroing-in on the boundless scenarios within one’s imagination. Nowadays, Surrealism is seen in graphic design, blending the movement of the past with the technology of the present.
Impressionism, upon its founding, was much less revered than it is now. Commonly, Impressionist artists used brushstrokes that were easily identified. Therefore, their works were far from a perfect representation of life—a stark contrast to Realism. Furthermore, painters often chose not to mix their colors well, creating yet another layer of difference between Impressionist art and the real world. Still, after a little more than a decade, Impressionism won over the public.
Post-Impressionism is yet another art movement originating from France; some say it developed in response to Impressionism. Taking many elements from Impressionism, Post-Impressionism reached further by rejecting the ideology of naturalistic graphics. On the other hand, this movement lacks a singular, easily-identifiable, and unifying style. Rather, Post-Impressionism art displays abstract themes and symbolic imagery.
Cubism is vastly different from the movements before it. The term was popularized by Louis Vauxcelles and is used to describe artists such as Pablo Picasso and Georges Braque. This movement compiles geometric designs and shapes into one piece, effectively simplifying the visuals of the artwork. Furthermore, many Cubists chose to forego shading and instead sought a flattened, 2D appearance. Often, we see Cubism as the precursor to Surrealism.
Futurism was launched by an Italian art theorist, Filippo Tommaso Marinetti, after a drastic car crash with a cyclist. Though similar to Cubism, Futurism employs increasingly angular figures, slopes, and other visuals to depict speed and dynamics. While Futurism only lasted around 8 years, it certainly left a mark. Due to an influx of female artists during the movement, Futurism is often thought to have paved the way for women representation within art.
Pop Art, with its bold and vibrant characteristics, is sometimes said to be the precursor to Contemporary Art. In the 1950s, this art movement utilized imagery taken from comic books, advertisements, and other everyday objects. With its distinct showcasing of items usually considered “boring”, Pop Art’s unique style is still commonly found today, especially in graphic design.
Minimalism, at its heart, is simplicity. Artists opted for a monochromatic appeal by using the least amount of lines, figures, and material possible in their work. As another short movement only lasting around a decade, Minimalism-imprinted ideas are still rampant in our culture today, making a considerably large splash in runway makeup.
Postmodernism was a reaction against its successor, Modernism. Whereas Modernism focused on ideals such as social progression, utopia, and abstraction, Postmodernism incorporated elements such as skepticism and suspicion. Artists advocated for the expression of individualized experiences and further interpretation of existential “truths”. Consequentially, Postmodern works were often contradictory and layered. Though it has fallen out of fashion since the 1990s, Postmodernism elements can still be spotted in alternative subcultures, with their subversive designs and rejection of societal norms.
SOURCES
https://www.canva.com/learn/10-influential-art-movements-still-used-today/
https://www.smartravel.ch/10-revolutionary-art-movements-shaped-visual-history/
https://www.creativebloq.com/inspiration/15-influential-art-and-design-movements-you-should-know/3#14-postmodernism