What is Modern Art?

(Definition)

There is no precise definition of the term "Modern Art": it remains an elastic term, which
can accomodate a variety of meanings. This is not too surprising, since we are constantly
moving forward in time, and what is considered "modern painting" or "modern sculpture"
today, may not be seen as modern in fifty years time. Even so, it is traditional to say
that "Modern Art" means works produced during the approximate period 1870-1970.
This "Modern era" followed a long period of domination by Renaissance-
inspired academic art, promoted by the network of European Academies of Fine Art. And
is itself followed by "Contemporary Art" (1970 onwards), the more avant-garde of which
is also called "Postmodern Art". This chronology accords with the view of many art
critics and institutions, but not all. Both the Tate Modern in London, and the Musee
National d'Art Moderne at the Pompidou Centre in Paris, for instance, take 1900 as the
starting point for "Modern Art". Also, neither they, nor the Museum of Modern Art in New
York, make any distinction between "modernist" and "postmodernist" works: instead,
they see both as phases of "Modern Art".

Incidentally, when trying to understand the history of art it's important to recognize that

art does not change overnight, but rather reflects wider (and slower) changes taking
place in society. It also reflects the outlook of the artist. Thus, for example, a work
of art produced as early as 1958 might be decidedly "postmodernist" (if the artist has a
very avant-garde outlook - a good example is Yves Klein's Nouveau Realisme); while
another work, created by a conservative artist in 1980, might be seen as a throw-back
to the time of "Modern Art" rather than an example of "Contemporary Art". In fact, it's
probably true to say that several different strands of art - meaning several sets
of aesthetics, some hypermodern, some old-fashioned - may co-exist at any one time.
Also, it's worth remembering that many of these terms (like "Modern Art") are only
invented after the event, from the vantage point of hindsight.

NOTE: The 1960s is generally seen as the decade when artistic values gradually
changed, from "modernist" to "postmodernist". This means that for a period of time both
sets of values co-existed with each other.