Modern art includes artistic work produced during the period extending roughly

from the 1860s to the 1970s, and denotes the styles and philosophy of the art
produced during that era.[1] The term is usually associated with art in which the
traditions of the past have been thrown aside in a spirit of experimentation.
[2]
 Modern artists experimented with new ways of seeing and with fresh ideas
about the nature of materials and functions of art. A tendency away from
the narrative, which was characteristic for the traditional arts,
toward abstraction is characteristic of much modern art. More recent artistic
production is often called contemporary art or postmodern art.
Modern art begins with the heritage of painters like Vincent van Gogh, Paul
Cézanne, Paul Gauguin, Georges Seurat and Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec all of
whom were essential for the development of modern art. At the beginning of the
20th century Henri Matisse and several other young artists including the pre-
cubists Georges Braque, André Derain, Raoul Dufy, Jean Metzinger and Maurice
de Vlaminck revolutionized the Paris art world with "wild", multi-colored,
expressive landscapes and figure paintings that the critics called Fauvism.
Matisse's two versions of The  Dance signified a key point in his career and in the
development of modern painting.[3] It reflected Matisse's incipient fascination
with primitive art: the intense warm color of the figures against the cool blue-
green background and the rhythmical succession of the dancing nudes convey the
feelings of emotional liberation and hedonism.
A mosaic is a picture or design made by gluing together small stones, pieces of
glass or other hard materials. In the ancient world, grand homes sometimes had
mosaic floors.

From ancient cave paintings to graffiti artists today, paintinghas always been a

part of human life. Some of the best-known artists, like Michelangelo and Picasso,
were painters.

For thousands of years, people all over the world have made masks to use in
rituals, work, theater, and just for fun. Have you ever made a mask from a paper
bag?

Drawing is everywhere—in newspapers, books, posters, and more. It is an art by

itself, but it is also the starting point for other kinds of art, like painting or
sculpture.
In prehistoric times, people used jewelry even before they used clothing. Almost
everything has been used to create jewelry, from berry necklaces to gold rings.

People have made sculpture from materials such as clay, marble, ice, wood, and
bronze. Some artists today create sculptures that move with the wind or when
touched.

There are as many uses for baskets as there are ways to make them.
Archaeologists have found 7,000-year-old farming baskets in Egypt.

Pottery is probably the most ancient art as well as the most

common. Prehistoric clay bowls, beautifully glazed tiles, and other works are not
only useful but decorative.

People have been weaving since the Stone Age. Tapestries and rugs in every color

have brought warmth and beauty to walls and floors.

Photography was invented about 200 years ago. We see photographs every day
in newspapers and magazines, on billboards and buses and in museums and
galleries. Ansel Adams and Mathew Brady were famous photographers. Annie
Liebowitz is known for her portrait photography.

As technology changes, the tools artists use change too. New Media includes

video, performance, computer imagery and installation (where an entire room
may be made into a work of art).

Ism of Art

Classicism refers to the art created or inspired by, antiquity. Classicism dates back
to ancient Greece and Rome when the emphasis on art and sculptures were
based upon classic form, proportion, and simplicity. Classicism was all about being
objective and not subjective. When referring to Classicism, Neo-Classicism is often
used interchangeably. Neo-Classicism began in the late 1700’s to the early 1800’s;
Nicolas Poussin was a predominantly big figure during this time period. Artists
today still adhere to the same training and form of that in the classic era. In
today’s society, art is dependent upon the classical styles of the past.
Romanticism refers to a time from the late eighteen century to the mid-
nineteenth century when artists expressed their points of view through their
imagination in a more idyllic way, rather than an in a realistic form. Art created in
this style ranges in subject matter and may include mythical scenes and historical
events. Many romantic artists used nature and were fascinated by the mystical,
mysterious and satanic. Emotions and artistic freedom ruled this time period.
Romantic artists, such as Eugene Delacroix and J.M.W. Turner helped to define
romanticism. Eugene Delacroix was considered the artist that led the Romantic
Movement. 

Impressionism refers to an art form that is commonly associated with 19th century

France. Impressionist paintings have a free and unfinished look to them. Claude
Monet was a very influential figure during the Impressionistic era. He is said to be
the founder of Impressionism and, was best known for his Water Lillie’s painting.
The Impressionist artists, including Alfred Sisley, and Pierre-Auguste Renoir are
most recognized for creating landscapes using vibrant colors and vague brush
strokes. Another famous artist that was considered more of a post-impressionist
was none other than Vincent Van Gogh. The Impressionistic movement was
widely successful and still used today.

Modernism is an artistic style that emerged in the mid-19th century. Famous

modern artists specific to this style including, Edouard Manet and Henry Matisse,
were more likely to be inspired by their own visions verse using conventional
art. Pablo Picasso was another influential artist during the Modern art
movement. The interpretation of Modern art has greatly influenced the artists of
today. 

Postmodern art emerged in the late 1960’s when dominating traditional styles no
longer fit with the post-war form and technique. Artists during this time period
created their own style and meaning using a combination of elements from the
past and applied them to modern techniques. Andy Warhol is a famous
postmodern artist who believed in breaking down barriers and is best known for
his “pop art” approach. Postmodernism has had a significant effect on Western
society and how people, artists included, approach and interpret art.