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20th Century Art
20th Century Art
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In all of human history, art has
mirrored life in the community,
society, and the world in all its
colors, lines, shapes, and forms.
The same has been true in the last
two centuries, with world events
and global trends being reflected
in the art movements.
The 20th century saw a
boom in the interchange of
ideas, beliefs, values, and
lifestyles that continues to
bring the citizens of the
world closer together.
Technological breakthroughs
From the Industrial Revolution of the
late 1800s, the world zoomed into the
Electronic
Age in the mid-1900s, then into the
present Cyberspace Age. In just over 100
years,
humans went from hand-cranked
telephones to hands-free mobile phones,
first automobiles to inter-
planetary space vehicles,
local radio broadcasting to
international news coverage via
satellite,
vaccinations against polio and
smallpox to laser surgery.
Effects on the world of art
The art movements of the late 19th century to
the 20th century captured and expressed all
these and more. Specifically, these were the
movements known as impressionism and
expressionism.
While earlier periods of art had a quite set
conventions as to the style, technique, and
treatment of their subjects,
impressionists and expressionists conveyed
their ideas and feelings in bold, innovative
ways.
IMPRESSIONISM
Characteristics:
2. Everyday Subjects
- Scenes of life
- Household objects
- Landscapes and Seascapes
- Houses, Cafes, Buildings
Characteristics:
3. Painting Outdoors
- Previously, still life, portraits, and
landscapes were painted inside the
studio. The impressionists found that
they could best capture the ever-
changing effects of light on color by
painting outdoors in natural light.
Characteristics:
4. Open Composition
- Impressionist painting also moved
away from the formal, structured
approach to placing and positioning
their subjects.
IMPRESSIONISM
Sample Artworks