Art Periods and Movements – Introduction to the Art History of Styles and Their Characteristics

Art history is characterized by numerous important Art Periods And Movements , which even art novices often encounter. Each of these has developed its own individual style, artistic currents, and forms of aesthetics.

The various Art Periods And Movements reflect the social, political and cultural changes of their era, as well as the results of creative processes.

Here at Kunstplaza , we aim to provide a helpful overview of the most important periods in art history and highlight their specific characteristics. Furthermore, we present significant works of art and the leading artists of each era.

Chronological presentation of art history in a timeline

We have organized all Art Periods And Movements for you in a clear timeline. From 3000 BC to the Middle Ages, modern art, classical modernism, and contemporary art produced by artists today.

All important Art Periods And Movements explained in 11.5 minutes

Can all the important Art Periods And Movements be explained comprehensively in less than 12 minutes? PhrasenDrescher attempted it in his video. See for yourself:

Not bad for a short explainer video to start with. For more detailed information, simply scroll down…

Ancient art (ca. 3000 BC – 500 AD)

Artistic periods of ancient art at a glance

Early civilizations encompass Egyptian, Mesopotamian, Minoan, Mycenaean, classical Greek, and Roman art, which are part of ancient art . Early European art emerged from the fundamental artistic methods and styles developed in Greece.

Egyptian art is characterized by detailed wall paintings and enormous structures such as the pyramids. While Minoan and Mycenaean art impresses with its brilliant frescoes and pottery, Mesopotamian art is known for its reliefs and sculptures.

Classical Greek art , expressed in sculptures such as the Discobolos and the Venus de Milo , is known for its harmonious proportions and idealized human body.

Antiquity - Greece (around 800 BC to 100 BC)

Roman art is also of this overview Art Periods And Movements . It is characterized by its realism and portraiture , as exemplified by the bust of Emperor Augustus.

Antiquity – Roman Empire (600 BC to 600 AD)

Early Christianity and Byzantium (300-1453)

Early Christian and Byzantine art formed the foundation for the art of the European Middle Ages and the modern era. This period thus shaped the cultural identity of Western civilization as well as that of Near Eastern and African Christianity. Its influences are also visible in the ornamental art of Western Islam.

The art of this period was primarily fostered by the acceptance of Christianity and the generous donations of Constantine. A distinct Christian art gradually developed, often drawing on classical representational styles. Important centers of this development were Rome, Ravenna, Thessaloniki, and Constantinople.

Medieval art (c. 500 – 1400)

Medieval periods at a glance

Medieval art encompasses the art of the Migration Period, the Carolingian, the Ottonian, the Romanesque, and the Gothic art. During this era, the Christian religion was central to artistic creation.

Early Middle Ages and Romanesque period (750-1250)

Key data and characteristics of Romanesque architecture at a glance:

The art of the Migration Period expressed in the magnificent jewelry of the Merovingians and Lombards

From the era of the Frankish and Saxon monarchs emerged artistic masterpieces of the Carolingian and Ottonian eras, which produced impressive manuscripts and sacred buildings such as Hildesheim Cathedral or the Palatine Chapel in Aachen.

The art of the Romanesque period captivates with its imposing personality, manifested in majestic churches with vaults weighing tons and round arches.

Gothic art, on the other hand, impresses with its delicate structures and its drive for height, as the cathedrals of Chartres and Notre-Dame in Paris impressively demonstrate.

Gothic (1130-1500)

Key data and characteristics of Gothic architecture at a glance:

Early Modern Period

Early Modern Periods at a Glance

Renaissance (approx. 1420 – 1600)

Key dates and characteristics of the Renaissance at a glance:

The Renaissance was an era of artistic rebirth, in which ancient art and culture were rediscovered and reinterpreted. Renaissance artists such as Leonardo da Vinci , Michelangelo , and Raphael strove for perfection and humanism in their art, placing particular emphasis on proportion, perspective, and anatomical accuracy.

During the Renaissance, painting was characterized by its realistic depictions and the introduction of central perspective, which conveyed a sense of spatial depth to the viewer. In sculpture, Renaissance art achieved a high degree of plasticity and dynamism, as demonstrated by works such as Michelangelo's David and the Laocoön Group .

Renaissance architecture was characterized by the rediscovery of classical forms and symmetry, as expressed buildings of Brunelleschi and Palladio

Mannerism (ca. 1520 – 1600)

With the newly gained freedom of man, the desire arose in the 16th century that every artist should develop his own individual mode of expression.

However, this desire quickly led to excesses that did not go unnoticed even by masters like Michelangelo. As a result, some of his works were no longer attributed to the Renaissance, but rather to Mannerism.

In Mannerism, emotions were deliberately exaggerated, gestures overstated, and even the clothing of the depicted figures unnaturally voluminous. The once gentle S-curve of the Renaissance became an almost unnatural exaggeration of the body's curves.

Ironically, this style became the first pan-European style, attracting artists from all over Europe to Italy, its place of origin.

Baroque and Rococo (approx. 1600 – 1780)

Important data and characteristics about art:

Baroque art Baroque artists such as Caravaggio , Bernini, and Rubens used light and shadow to make their works appear three-dimensional and vibrant.

Baroque painting is characterized by strong contrasts between light and shadow, as can be seen "The Calling of Saint Matthew." Bernini, Baroque sculpture achieved a new dynamism and movement, as demonstrated by his sculpture "Apollo and Daphne .

Gian Lorenzo Bernini set new standards in architecture and sculpture, and Annibale Carracci and Caravaggio did the same in painting. The dramatic contrasts of light and shadow and the flouting of propriety by the impetuous star painter Caravaggio were groundbreaking and set the tone for the realistic depictions of martyrdoms and genre scenes by the Caravaggisti.

Three new art genres – genre painting , landscape , and still life – emerged from the Golden Age of Dutch painting in the 17th century, brought about by the great wealth of the bourgeoisie. The Fleming Peter Paul Rubens became famous throughout Europe for his paintings, which combined immense splendor, energy, and emotional impact.

Since Baroque art was used as a means of the Counter-Reformation, sacred and courtly commissions dominated artistic production in Spain and the non-European colonies.

Diego Velázquez, from Seville, became the undisputed court painter and created mainly portraits and mythological stories .

Unlike in Italy, Spain and southern Germany, the chaotic Baroque style ; in both countries a classical approach took hold, sometimes referred to Baroque Classicism (France) and Palladianism

As the Romanesque church of San Carlo alle Quattro Fontane demonstrates, Baroque architecture is characterized by its splendor and the use of curves and ellipses. Rococo distinguished by its bright, decorative, and whimsical appearance.

The exquisite and graceful paintings of several Rococo artists, including Watteau , Boucher and Fragonard , were particularly reflected in the gallant settings of the French nobility.

The utopian island of love, Cythera, was depicted by Antoine Watteau in a style characteristic of French Rococo painting. Genre painting is distinguished by atmospheric landscapes, delicate figures, poetic and elegiac moods, and subtle colors, while in portraiture, both highly representative and intimate portraits were equally valued.

The undisputed master of still life painting was Jean Siméon Chardin , whose influence on Impressionism in the 19th century cannot be underestimated. The Rococo style spread from France across Central Europe and was particularly prized for furniture and interior design.

Classicism (c. 1770 – 1830)

Key data and characteristics of classicism at a glance:

In the 19th century, artists with a “backpack” full of ancient art strove for an atmosphere of “quiet simplicity and noble grandeur” (JJ Winkelmann), influenced by the recent discoveries in Pompeii .

Antonio Canova from Italy and Jacques-Louis David from France shaped an entire generation by glorifying heroic ideals of masculinity and virtuously reserved women in their works.

In sculpture , painting and especially architecture , parallel compositions, rectilinear forms and orientation towards the classical canon (proportions) replaced the dynamic, baroque sweeps.

Late Modern Period

Late Modern Periods at a Glance

Romanticism (c. 1790 – 1830)

Romanticism is more than just a stylistic period; it is a mindset that prefers the mysterious, the dark, and the sublime to the smooth and beautiful. In 1810, the Lukasbund (Lukas League , attempting Dürer and Raphael .

Caspar David Friedrich and William Turner celebrated their first successes as landscape painters, and the mature Francisco de Goya created his darkest works.

William Blake , serves as a model for the misunderstood artist and the visionary genius . Whether medieval fairy tales or Dr. Faustus, breathtaking mountain landscapes or mist-shrouded regions – it was always the innermost self, the emotional level, that drove Romantic artists to new creations.

Stylistic pluralism, Biedermeier and Gründerzeit (1790-1890)

Phenomena of stylistic heterogeneity have always had a major influence on modern art. By this we mean a range of techniques and styles that artists employ to create their works. It is precisely this diversity of techniques that allows artists to continually distinguish themselves from their colleagues and to communicate their thoughts and originality in different ways.

By questioning the traditional canon of art and creating new creative means of expression, stylistic pluralism helped to pave the way for modern art.

As artists in the 19th century began to reject conventional academies and their rules, a stylistic diversity developed in the art world. While Romanticism sharpened awareness of nature and humanity, Realism emphasized the everyday world.

Impressionism ultimately broke with conventional teachings and focused on the representation of color and light. These upheavals paved the way for the stylistic diversity that is still clearly evident in modern art .

The Biedermeier period is a stylistic era that took place between 1815 and 1848 in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. The name derives from the poet Gottlieb Biedermeier , who was considered the epitome of the stuffy bourgeoisie. The art of this time is characterized by its restraint: landscapes, still lifes, and portraits were the main subjects – often imbued with a certain nostalgia for bygone eras.

This stylistic period also had a major influence on furniture and interior design ; upholstered furniture with floral patterns or embroidered and heavy wall units made of dark wood were produced. Another characteristic was the use of ornamentation on porcelain figurines or relics.

Historicism / Salon painting (1850-1914)

In art history, the term historicism a widespread phenomenon in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, in which architects and artists preferred to draw on styles from past centuries.

There are various stylistic sub-types, such as Neo-Romanesque, Neo-Gothic, Neo-Renaissance , Neo-Byzantinism and Neo-Baroque .

While reform architecture developed as a counter-movement and later led to classical modernism, the emerging Art Nouveau style around 1900 significantly influenced historicism.

Although the ideas of historicism continued in the following decades, for example in neoclassicism, socialist classicism or national security architecture, the most formative period of historicism was from about 1850 until before the First World War.

Salon painting , a significant style of painting in the 19th century, originated in the annual exhibitions at the Salon Carré of the Louvre in Paris, also known as the Salon de Paris. Introduced by Louis Philippe, these exhibitions were attended exclusively by recognized artists of the ruling class, who had to appeal to public taste and, in particular, to that of the Parisian elite.

While thematically and stylistically adapted, the paintings primarily historical and literary-mythological themes , serving as a pretext for displaying a great deal of nudity and catering to the voyeurism of the upper class. Dramatic scenes with many figures were favored, and the painting style was classical and academic.

The artworks of historicist sculpture and salon painting are characterized by an academic and anti-modernist orientation. Artists such as Hans Makart, Franz Xaver Winterhalter, Léon Gérôme , and Lawrence Alma-Tadema employed their technical finesse to create large-scale paintings depicting historical scenes based on meticulous historical research.

These works were mainly presented at the Paris Salon and are therefore also referred to as Salon paintings.

Realism (1850-1925)

Realism, which derives from the Latin word “res” for thing, is a highly complex term that describes a specific attitude, worldview, and method of art production.

Gustave Courbet adopted the term in 1855 to showcase his anti-academic and anti-idealistic paintings in Le Réalisme , which the jury of the Universal Exposition rejected. Courbet created enormous, large-scale paintings that faithfully and realistically captured the regional landscape and its people.

Many perceived this new fashion as "ugly" and "brutally political" with socialist connotations. In French art theory, realism then also served as a kind of "battle cry".

Some artists decisively abandoned academic history painting (salon painting) and devoted themselves entirely to the visible world between 1830 and 1880. With works such as "The Stonebreakers" and "The Burial at Ornans" (1850), Courbet erected great monuments to the proletariat and modern civilization.

Impressionism (1850-1900)

Impressionism , derived from the French word "impression ," describes a style of painting. It is characterized by a light color palette, a loose, sketchy application of paint with visible brushstrokes, painting from the subject, and usually plein air painting .

The Impressionists focused primarily on sensory perception, capturing fleeting moments quickly, intuitively, and (seemingly) improvised. The observation of light effects and the changing color moods throughout the year was more important than the meaning of the subject matter.

For this reason, the Impressionists preferred to work outdoors and in series. This definition applies particularly well to Impressionist landscape painting Edgar Degas saw themselves more firmly in the tradition of the Academy and rejected the term Impressionism for their works.

The leading painter of Impressionism is Claude Monet , who, together with colleagues, further developed realism in the 1860s in order to reflect the new feeling of modernity and speed.

Other important Impressionist painters include Pierre-Auguste Renoir (1841-1919), Gustave Caillebotte (1848-1894), Berthe Morisot (1841-1895), Camille Pissarro (1830-1903), Frédéric Bazille (1841-1870) and Édouard Manet (1832-1833).

In sculpture, Impressionism was shaped by Auguste Rodin , while in photography it is better known as Pictorialism Heinrich Kühn (1866–1944), who lived in Vienna

In France, Impressionism ended roughly with the Paris World's Fair in 1900.

Naturalism (1858 – 1900)

The art movement of Naturalism is characterized by a certain complexity, making it not always easy to find a precise definition. So what exactly is meant when we talk about Naturalist art?

One way to approach naturalism is to compare it with idealism . The latter is applied particularly in figure painting and strives to create a perfect representation of reality.

In contrast to idealism, naturalism is found at the other end of the spectrum. Instead of creating a perfect world, naturalistic artists prefer a true-to-life depiction of all the imperfections of this world .

The essential difference between Naturalism and Realism lies in the focus of their paintings. While Naturalism concentrates on the painting method, including the invention of plein air painting , Realism focuses on the subject matter. Realistic painters typically portray everyday people in their ordinary situations, not idealized heroes.

Another difference that distinguishes the art of Realism is the pronounced social awareness expressed in the paintings. Realist artists were often engaged with political and social issues and incorporated these into their works.

Socialist Realism and American Scene Painting are examples of social movements that were inspired by developments within the realist art movement. Naturalist painters, on the other hand, focused primarily on developing a painting style that was as authentic and natural as possible.

In the naturalism of art, another key element played a significant role: the incorporation of regionalist and nationalist sentiments . Naturalist painters linked their aesthetic to specific places that were familiar to them and held sentimental value. Art historians see this tendency to paint scenes familiar to many people as an essential component of the democratization of art .

The themes of the naturalistic paintings were familiar to a wider audience and had a deep emotional connection.

However, it would be wrong to believe that the subjects of naturalistic art consisted exclusively of landscapes and nature scenes. The definition of naturalistic art is by no means limited to landscape painting genre paintings were also common themes.

Antoine Castagnary 's manifesto "La philosophie du salon de 1857" (1858) was the first theoretical work to address the new movement. The French painter Gustave Courbet (1819-1877) also played an important role in the art-theoretical debate surrounding naturalistic art and was himself one of its most prominent representatives.

Among the most outstanding artists who belonged to Naturalism in Germany are Max Liebermann (1847-1935), Paul Weber (1823-1916) and Käthe Kollwitz (1867-1945).

Post-Impressionism (1880 – 1920)

In Western painting, a movement in France that represented both an extension of Impressionism and a rejection of the inherent limitations of that style.

The term Post-Impressionism was coined by the English art critic Roger Fry for the works of late 19th-century painters such as Paul Cézanne , Georges Seurat , Paul Gauguin , Vincent van Gogh , Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, Late Impressionism or Post-Impressionism are still sometimes used today.

The styles Synthetism , Cloisonnism and Pointillism also belong to Post-Impressionism.

All of these painters except van Gogh were French, and most of them began as Impressionists; however, each of them abandoned this style to develop their own highly personal art.

Impressionism, in the strictest sense, was based on the objective representation of nature using the fleeting effects of color and light.

The Post-Impressionists rejected this limited goal in favor of a more ambitious expression , but admitted that they were indebted to Impressionism's pure, brilliant colors, its freedom from traditional themes, and its technique of defining form with short brushstrokes of broken color.

The Post-Impressionists often exhibited together, but unlike the Impressionists, who began as a close-knit, sociable group, they painted mainly alone. Cézanne painted in isolation in Aix-en-Provence in southern France; his solitude was similar to that of Paul Gauguin, who settled in Tahiti in 1891, and of van Gogh, who painted in the countryside near Arles.

Both Gauguin and van Gogh rejected the indifferent objectivity of Impressionism in favor of a more personal, spiritual expression.

The work of these painters formed the basis for several contemporary movements and for the modernism of the early 20th century.

Symbolism (1890 – 1920)

Symbolist art were created between 1880 and 1910. This style, which we would prefer to consider a movement rather than an era, also originated in France.

In contrast to objective perception, the representation of thoughts and feelings a crucial role; however, it differs from Expressionism and Impressionism, where Symbolism serves as a connecting link. At the same time, it opposed the ideas of Positivism, Materialism, and Historicism.

Furthermore, it was directed against the naturalistic painting tradition of the academies.

Ultimately, his clear forms influenced Art Nouveau. Illness, sin, death , and passion eroticism and death, often symbolized by delicate, pale-skinned women with a sensitive or melancholic aura, was particularly fascinating for many artists

In 1886, the French writer Jean Moréas the “Symbolist Manifesto ,” which is considered a key foundation for the anti-rationalist and anti-materialist artistic movement. The Symbolists focused on not directly representing reality, but rather expressing it through symbolic aesthetics in the form of symbols and metaphors.

To achieve this, they combined various visual elements to create a synthesis. The artists did not transfer their motifs directly from nature to the canvas, but rather drew upon their memories.

Imagination was elevated to the most important source of creativity. With this approach, the Symbolists often depicted dreamlike scenes, which distinguishes them as precursors of Surrealism .

Paul Gauguin and Emile Bernard , French painters of the late 19th century, are considered pioneers of Symbolism in the visual arts. Inspired by the Symbolist poetry of Stéphane Mallarmé and Arthur Rimbaud, they found in this style a way to express poetic, romantic, and religious themes in dark, somber color palettes with strong, pure tones.

Other important representatives of Symbolism in the art scene were Gustave Moreau, Odilon Redon, Paul Séruzier and Pierre Puvis de Chavannes in France, Arnold Böcklin and Ferdinand Hodler in Switzerland, Fernand Khnopff in Belgium, Gustav Klimt in Austria, Edvard Munch in Norway and Max Klinger in Germany.

Classical Modernism

Periods of Classical Modernism at a Glance

The era of classical modernism in art history marks a phase that emerged after the modern era, around the year 1900. During this time, art experienced a creative explosion with movements such as Expressionism, Futurism, and Cubism, which challenged traditional conventions and paved new paths of artistic expression.

This exciting period lasted until the end of World War II in 1945 and continued to shape the art scene well into the 1980s. The diversity of artistic expressions and revolutionary ideas that emerged during this era continue to have a significant influence on the art world today.

Expressionism (1890 – 1914) and Fauvism (1898 – 1907): Art with a political dimension

In the Expressionist , we witnessed a resurgence in the importance of expressing subjective feelings. Expressionism, originating in Germany, reflected the critique of power felt by many artists.

The artists of this movement were interested neither in naturalism nor in outward appearances. Therefore, a trace of aggression could be discerned in some expressionist paintings, which are often archaic and expressive.

The decisive historical event that triggered the transition from Impressionism to Expressionist art was the First World War . While the Impressionists celebrated the achievements of the Industrial Revolution and glorified Paris on their canvases, the younger generation strongly doubted the rapid technological progress.

The Expressionists intensely felt the increasing 'acceleration' of the world and the problems facing the individual. The sweeping technological innovations cast doubt on the perceptual capabilities of the human eye, so that from 1900 onwards, painters had difficulty capturing this 'new world' on canvas.

This led to a significant shift away from Impressionist techniques towards an emphasis on the artist's feelings rather than the realistic depiction of the subject. A new group of artists wanted not only to capture the moment like the Impressionists, but to directly translate their own feelings and sensory perceptions into the painting.

Expressionist art was a reaction against the bourgeoisie and academic art. It sought to convey the message of folk art, which was considered less refined. New techniques transformed the possibilities of composition. Views became blurred, and depth was created solely through color and form.

Wassily Kandinsky was an important artist of Expressionism. In his abstract paintings, he explored color, form, and pure abstraction by using Expressionist techniques.

Other famous representatives of Expressionism were Franz Marc, Edvard Munch , and August Macke . At the beginning of the First World War, Expressionist paintings displayed a disturbing intensity.

Expressionism was a movement that conveyed direct political messages through painting and a certain violence in the brushstroke. During the First World War, artworks of often shocking intensity were created, offering a clear critique of power and society, which politically shaped painting.

What is known in Germany as "expressionist" art was called Fauvism . Henri Matisse and André Derain , the leading artists of the 'Fauves' (the 'wild ones'), are often considered the "French Expressionists ." Although both styles emerged around 1905 in contrast to Impressionist painting, Expressionism is more socially critical and internationally oriented.

While Fauvism remained primarily in France and had a very short heyday, Expressionism continued to develop in Germany, particularly through groups like "Die Brücke" in Berlin and "Der Blaue Reiter" in Munich. However, the roots of both styles lie in the Post-Impressionist movements of France, influenced by artists such as Van Gogh , Gauguin, and Toulouse-Lautrec, which led to distinct artistic expressions.

Art Nouveau / Art Nouveau (1890 – 1910)

Although Gustav Klimt 's "The Kiss" world's most famous paintings .

Jugendstil Art Nouveau outside Germany , is characterized by large-scale floral elements and gently curved lines .

Symmetry played an increasingly smaller role, while dynamism, playfulness, and a certain youthful charm gained ground – not only in painting.

Art Nouveau is characterized by the use of a long, curved, organic line and was most commonly used in architecture , interior design , jewelry and glass design , posters and illustrations .

It was a conscious attempt to create a new style, free from the imitative historicism that dominated much of 19th-century art and design.

Around this time, the term Art Nouveau was coined, in Belgium by the magazine L'Art Moderne describe the work of the artists' group Les Vingt S. Bing , who named his gallery L'Art Nouveau Jugendstil in Germany , Sezessionsstil Stile Floreale (or Stile Liberty in Italy Modernismo in Spain .

Art Nouveau on the European continent was significantly influenced by the painters Paul Gauguin and Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec , who incorporated experimental and expressive lines into their works. Additionally, the movement found inspiration in the linear patterns of Japanese prints ( Ukiyo-e ), which were also popular in fashion.

A characteristic feature of this playful Art Movement is its undulating, asymmetrical line. This often takes on forms such as flower stems, buds, vines, or delicate natural objects. Sometimes this line can be elegant and graceful, while at other times it possesses a powerful rhythmic force and has a whip-like quality.

There were numerous artists and designers active in the Art Nouveau style. Among the most famous was the Scottish architect and designer Charles Rennie Mackintosh , who specialized primarily in geometric lines and particularly influenced the Austrian Secession style.

The Belgian architects Henry van de Velde and Victor Horta, with their flowing and delicate structures, significantly influenced the French architect Hector Guimard . Louis Comfort Tiffany was an American glassmaker, while Louis Majorelle was active in France as a furniture and hardware designer.

Alphonse Mucha, a Czechoslovakian graphic designer and artist, contributed to the movement, as did René Lalique from France, a glass and jewelry designer. The American architect Louis Henry Sullivan adorned his traditionally structured buildings with Art Nouveau ironwork featuring plant motifs.

Antonio Gaudí from Spain is perhaps considered the most original artist of this movement: He went beyond the dependence on straight lines and instead transformed buildings into curved, bulbous constructions full of bright colors – appearing organic.

After 1910, Art Nouveau appeared old-fashioned and limited and was generally abandoned as an independent decorative style.

Cubism (1906 – 1914)

Around the turn of the century, Post-Impressionism and Fauvism influenced the European art scene, with Georges Braque making a significant contribution to Fauvism through his landscape paintings. After Pablo Picasso , the two artists began a collaboration that led to the development of Cubism.

Cubism represented a radically new artistic approach to depicting reality. As one of the most important art movements of the 20th century, it broke with traditional representational methods by introducing abstract fragmentation and sophisticated two-dimensional compositions.

Influenced by African art, the two Cubists jointly created new painting techniques and revolutionized the modern art scene.

Cubism can be divided into different phases.

Proto -Cubism , a transitional phase between 1907 and 1911, was significantly influenced by the art of Picasso and Braque. Their works Les Demoiselles d'Avignon and Viaduct in L'Estaque demonstrate the transition to Cubism. In these works, mask-like faces, fragmentation of the subject matter, and geometric forms become apparent. This phase marks the entry into mature Cubism.

Analytical Cubism , from 1908 to 1912, is characterized by fragmented motifs in neutral colors and broken forms. Picasso also applied these principles to his sculpture. Juan Gris joined Picasso and Braque and became particularly well-known for his contribution to Synthetic Cubism.

Synthetic Cubism , the final phase of the art style from 1912 to 1914, showed a simplification and expansion of the color palette in works by Picasso, Braque, Gris, and other artists. Particular interest was shown in still lifes, which were painted or collaged.

Futurism (1909 – 1945) – Avant-garde instead of Christian morality

Parallel to Cubism in France, Futurism emerged in Italy.

the Italian Filippo Tommaso Marinetti wrote a Futurist manifesto in which he distanced himself from Christian morality and rejected all social conventions. Although Marinetti himself was not a painter, painting nevertheless became the most important art form of Futurism. The Futurists rebelled against classical models and displayed a pronounced rejection of the body. They rejected the depiction of the nude as dark and repulsive. Everything traditional was viewed with suspicion.

Futurism became a significant Italian avant-garde art movement that focused on new technologies and modern urban life. Futurists sought to depict the beauty of machines, speed, and change, while combining traditional media such as painting and sculpture with influences from Post-Impressionism.

The Italian Futurists of the early 1900s were particularly impressed by innovative technologies such as chronophotography , which made it possible to capture movement in images. They revolutionized art by incorporating movement into painting and sculpture.

They used popular media and technologies to spread their ideas and even celebrated the outbreak of the First World War as an expression of their enthusiasm for modernity. Although some members later supported fascism, the group was perceived as an important avant-garde movement well into the 1920s.

Led by the writer Filippo Tommaso Marinetti, the movement disseminated its ideas through manifestos in modern media, celebrating the machine age as a triumph over nature. Artists such as Umberto Boccioni and Giacomo Balla championed a contemporary art that would capture space and movement. Futurism spread rapidly throughout Italy and also gained international attention thanks to Marinetti's support abroad.

The “second” Futurism (1924–1945) was shaped by various artists and architects, including Enrico Prampolini, Giacomo Balla, and Fortunato Depero. With Aeropittura , also called “Arte Sacra Futurista,” they took up futuristic themes such as dynamism and speed.

Although Mussolini favored classicism, the architects nevertheless succeeded in erecting modern buildings that utilized the new building materials. The artists gained recognition "Noi,"

Dadaism (1912 – 1920) – On the (Non-)Sense of Things

Dadaism originated in Switzerland during the First World War. As a neutral country, Zurich became a refuge for artists and intellectuals who opposed the war. Dadaism arose as a reaction against nationalism, which many saw as the cause of the war .

The Dadaists questioned the absurdity of existing rules, norms, traditions, and values, thereby turning them on their head. This art movement united various forms of expression such as literature, poetry, dance, photography, painting, sculpture, collage, and performance art . A central aspect was the deconstruction of what "art ." Artists like Henri Robert Marcel Duchamp not only embraced Dadaism and Surrealism but also shaped the foundations of Conceptual Art , paving the way for later modern art movements.

The movement spread rapidly throughout Europe and the United States, with distinct groups forming in every city. Dadaism influenced various avant-garde movements of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, including Futurism, Expressionism, Cubism, and Constructivism. Later, it inspired cultural movements such as Surrealism, Abstract Expressionism , and even punk rock.

A common denominator of these movements, as well as of Dadaism, is the critical examination of culture. Dadaist artists were equally unconventional in their work and in their use of materials. With their creations, Dada artists mocked nationalist and materialistic attitudes.

Explaining and defining Dadaism is challenging because it lacks a logical structure or universally valid characteristics.

What exactly is Dadaism? Four key ideas can help to grasp the thinking of Dadaism. These ideas include the use of readymades, the fascination with chance, the questioning of bourgeois sensibilities, and resistance to almost everything.

Dada artists created readymades , everyday objects that they altered only minimally and presented as works of art. Readymades illustrate one of the central ideas of Dadaism, emphasizing the artist's intention as the artwork itself, rather than as the object they create. Dadaist works raise questions about the very definition of art, artistic creativity, and the purpose of art in society .

A key concept in Dadaism is the conscious use of chance. Many Dada artists, including Hans Arp , allowed chance to guide the creation of their artworks. This approach, without a fixed plan or clear intention, stood in opposition to conventional art production. This artistic process offered Dada artists an additional way to question the existing status quo and to problematize the role of the artist in creativity.

Other famous representatives of Dadaism were Marcel Duchamp , Man Ray and Max Ernst .

Constructivism (1913 – 1930) – Fusion of Cubism and Futurism

In 1913, the emergence of Vladimir Tatlin 's abstract works the beginning of the Russian Constructivist movement, which significantly influenced the development of modern abstract art .

This Art Movement is also considered a historical current that intensively explored the harmonious arrangement of geometric forms. Artists involved with Constructivism rejected vibrant colors and expanded upon the stylistic approaches of earlier movements such as Suprematism .

The conceptual theories of this period were shaped by Jean Piaget , whose research in educational psychology and cognitive development focused on how people construct meaning and explored the relationships between human experiences and their ideas.

This theory also included the notion that humans generate their own knowledge. Bold typography and artful photomontages , along with reduced color palettes, became central to Constructivism. This era proved highly influential in the fields of design and architecture, which in the 1920s evolved from political associations into a dynamic design style.

The renowned Russian artist Kasimir Malevich coined the term "Constructivist," referring to the work of Alexander Rodchenko , a widely recognized Russian designer.

The Harlem Renaissance (1920 – 1930) – The revival of African American culture

The Harlem Renaissance , which reached its peak in the 1920s, represents a prominent chapter in the cultural revival for the African American community in the United States.

This era was characterized by a remarkable appreciation and creation of intellectual and cultural forms of expression developed by African American artists in fields such as music, literature, visual arts, poetry, politics, dance, and fashion.

This period is also known as the "New Negro Movement" and encompassed a variety of unique contemporary art styles that aimed to represent the Black experience from a non-Western perspective. It particularly highlights the historical injustices suffered by African American scholars and artists, thus fostering a deeper engagement with the cultural heritage of the African American population.

Originally rooted in the New York City borough of Harlem, this movement was shaped by numerous cultural icons who significantly contributed to the strengthening of African American culture and the appreciation of black artists at the beginning of the 20th century.

The Harlem Renaissance called for a strong commitment to political activism and decisively influenced key movements such as the Civil Rights Movement in the 1950s.

This cultural golden age invites everyone to rediscover African American art

The 7 important Harlem Renaissance artists we will see in this video are: Langston Hughes, Aaron Douglas, Lois Mailou Jones, Augusta Savage, Gwendolyn B. Bennett, Meta Vaux Warrick Fuller and James Van Der Zee.

New Objectivity (1918 – 1965) – Cool and technical

The various Art Periods And Movements from the First World War to the present represent a high point in contemporary art and illustrate the evolutionary development of art styles that have significantly contributed to the redefinition of concepts regarding representation, visual aesthetics and culture in the post-war period.

New Objectivity describes the art movement that emerged after the First World War and focused on the visible world. This style grew in the Weimar Republic and included renowned artists such as George Grosz and Otto Dix , who addressed socially critical themes.

The movement spread beyond Germany to Austria, Switzerland, and the Netherlands. Inspired by the Italian Pittura Metafisica, it combined disillusionment with a clear visual concept that objectively depicted everyday objects.

The art movement was characterized by an objective mode of expression and a compelling depiction of social and economic realities. The objects were portrayed with unambiguous sharpness, sometimes employing caricatural elements. This style enabled the artists to reflect on the complex aspects of contemporary life in a fundamentally honest way, while simultaneously drawing attention to social injustices.

A pivotal exhibition in 1925 under Gustav Friedrich Hartlaub brought together various artists and divided the New Objectivity movement into a socially critical and a classically conservative wing, which reacted to the time perceived as crisis-ridden.

The rise of the National Socialists in 1933 and the subsequent Gleichschaltung (coordination) of the media, as well as the establishment of a so-called German art, marked the end of New Objectivity. 

In the 1950s and early 1960s, the New Objectivity movement embarked on a profound engagement with social and political issues. The turmoil and conflict of two devastating world wars led many people to search for a stable foundation that would provide them with orientation—a need clearly reflected in the artworks of this period.

The works of New Objectivity are often characterized by a cool, unemotional, and technical aesthetic. Motifs such as radios or light bulbs, reflecting the technological aspects of everyday life, frequently appear.

As with many modern art movements, there were also different currents and directions within New Objectivity, which underline the multifaceted character of this era.

Surrealism (c. 1920–1945): Subconscious Realities

After the First World War, Surrealism broke over the art scene like a huge wave, pulverizing all the preconceived notions of Parisians about the nature of reality, art, and the human psyche.

founded by André Breton

His definition of Surrealism was:

We should not lose sight of the fact that the idea of ​​Surrealism quite simply aims at the total recovery of our psychic power, by means that is nothing other than the dizzying descent into ourselves, the systematic illumination of hidden places and the progressive obscuring of other places…“

(Source: Malen-Lernen.org)

His revolutionary attempt to break the existing norms of that time found widespread expression in Europe and the USA during the 1920s and 1930s.

Named after Guillaume Apollinaire , a prominent poet and art critic, the first Surrealist exhibition took place in Paris in 1925 and featured works by artists such as Pablo Picasso and Man Ray . This art style often addressed uncomfortable aspects of human existence as well as social taboos and challenged bourgeois beliefs.

In this context, Surrealism developed into a structured art movement with a profound political, philosophical and social dimension, which established the methods to both shock and fascinate its followers.

However absurd the sheer illogic of the Dada movement may seem, the Surrealists viewed the realm of dreams as the source of all truth. One of the most famous artists of this Surrealist movement is Salvador Dalí , and you are surely familiar with his works such as "Melting Watches " (1954).

Surrealism, heavily influenced by psychoanalytic ideas, led many artists to use their dreams as a source of inspiration. This movement was a cry against rationality, which was seen as destructive to society.

Surrealist artists used various techniques to explore their unconscious and placed it at the center of their works.

Despite initial rejection, Surrealism has profoundly changed the face of modern art and continues to have an impact today.

Art Deco (c. 1920 – 1935): Proportioned, elegant and daring

Although this style period reached its peak popularity in the 1920s, 1930s and 1940s, the development of the Art Deco style already underway for over a decade before its official introduction.

It first appeared in France shortly before the outbreak of the First World War. However, the general public only became aware of this movement in 1925 at the Exposition Internationale des Arts Décoratifs et Industriels Modernes , which was loosely based on the concept of a world's fair.

As an extremely decorative art style, the artists of the Art Deco movement distinguished themselves early on through experiments in the areas of design, painting, furniture, architecture and construction within their stylistic spectrum.

Art Deco presents itself as an art style characterized by vibrant colors and bold geometric forms, resulting in extremely luxurious and detailed artworks. Besides the fine arts, it also encompasses architectural and design elements.

From its inception, Art Deco was heavily influenced by the bold geometric forms of Cubism and the vibrant colors of Fauvism. The style fostered a strong sense of order and showcased proportionate and balanced designs in lush and lively forms.

Art Deco design permeated numerous design forms of the early 20th century, with the movement experimenting with elements from fine art, architecture, fashion, furniture design, transportation, and even everyday objects. The Roaring Twenties are unimaginable without Art Deco.

characteristics of Art Deco were clearly recognizable. Deco art was often described as a collection of different styles and seen as an eclectic fusion of various influences, materials, and forms.

Therefore, it can be challenging to distinguish the Art Deco style from other similar art movements such as Art Nouveau , Art Moderne , the Bauhaus movement, or the Arts and Crafts movement.

Nevertheless, the Art Deco era was of enormous importance, as its decorative qualities inspired a variety of other art styles.

Bauhaus (1920 – 1925): Integration of industrial design and art

Bauhaus art is closely associated with one of the most influential art schools of the 20th century. The Bauhaus played a crucial role in the education of many important artists and designers. Despite its closure in 1933 by the Nazi regime, the school had a profound impact on education and the connection between society, art, and technology in the USA and Europe.

The Bauhaus style, founded in 1919 by Walter Gropius in Weimar, Germany, emerged from the creative movements of the 19th and early 20th centuries, including Art Nouveau and the Arts and Crafts movement. These movements sought to break down the boundaries between applied and fine arts and to combine inventive design with practical applications.

In the 1920s, the Bauhaus school shifted its focus to the integration of industrial design and art , leading to its most significant achievements. Gropius called for a return to medieval ideals in art and craft and promoted the appreciation of craftsmanship in all artistic forms of expression, such as industrial design, architecture, and graphic design.

The rise of Russian Constructivism in the 1910s contributed to aesthetic development. This led to the Bauhaus becoming a pioneering institution for contemporary art in Europe and the USA.

The school's focus was on its creative and effective teaching approach. Gropius likened this to a wheel with rings, the outer ring symbolizing the six-month preparatory course established by Johannes Itten . This course emphasized the fundamental elements of design, particularly the diverse characteristics of different shapes, colors, and materials.

The professors brought to Weimar by Gropius, including the avant-garde artists Johannes Itten, Lyonel Feininger , and sculptor Gerhard Marcks , were largely responsible for the Bauhaus curriculum. Itten shaped the school with his expressionist approaches and his focus on the romantic Middle Ages. Conflicts with Gropius's analytical approach led to Itten's departure in 1923.

His successor, László Moholy-Nagy , integrated technology and the social role of art into the revised curriculum. In its short existence, the Bauhaus absorbed a wide range of stylistic influences; besides Moholy-Nagy, artists such as Paul Klee and Wassily Kandinsky , as well as multidisciplinary talents like Oskar Schlemmer and Georg Muche, noteworthy.

Modern, Postmodern and Contemporary Art

Periods of Contemporary Art at a Glance

The astonishing development of art over the centuries

Art history is a captivating subject spanning many centuries and diverse styles. The different time periods reveal how art has evolved over time and help us understand the political, social, and cultural contexts in which it was created.

Learning about art history helps us understand the beauty of art and reveals our cultural heritage and creativity.

Comprehensive understanding of art – correctly understanding eras, styles, visual language and historical context

Would you like to delve even deeper into the topic or are you looking for trustworthy and thoroughly researched sources for reports, school assignments, presentations, term papers or scientific texts?

Are you looking for reliable sources for essays, homework, term papers, academic papers, or presentations? Or do you simply want to delve deeper into the topic?

Then, we would like to wholeheartedly recommend the following books to you (these are also on our bookshelf as frequently used reference works):

Understanding art: Everything about eras, styles, visual language, structure and more in over 1,000 color illustrations

A comprehensive introduction that illuminates art in its historical, cultural and technical contexts and facilitates access to a deeper understanding of art.

The epochs of art: An overview from antiquity to the modern era

This book offers a concise and entertaining overview of the different Art Periods And Movements and is ideal for anyone who wants to quickly and informatively familiarize themselves with art history.

Big Ideas. The Art Book: Important Works Explained Simply

The art book presents the art history from different regions of the world, its concepts and ideas in such a vivid way that they are easily understandable for everyone.

The history of painting: developments, techniques and motifs in art

Art history of the last 5,000 years: from its ancient beginnings through the Renaissance to modern painting. Background information on works, rich illustrations.

Joachim Rodriguez y Romero

Owner and Managing Director of Kunstplaza. Publisher, editor and passionate blogger in the field of art, design and creativity since 2011. Successful completion of studies in web design as part of a university degree (2008). Further development of creativity techniques through courses in free drawing, expressive painting and theatre/acting. Profound knowledge of the art market through years of journalistic research and numerous collaborations with actors/institutions from art and culture.

www.kunstplaza.de/