When we visit a gallery or museum, we often encounter modern art. But what does modern art actually mean? Modern art is a term used to describe a wide range of artistic styles and movements that emerged from the late 19th century through the mid-20th century. It's important to note that "modern art" is a historical classification and should not be confused with "contemporary art". 
(What is Modern Art? A Complete Definition and Guide - dans le gris)

Vincent van Gogh, The Starry Night, 1889.
(What is Modern Art? A Complete Definition and Guide - dans le gris)

What is Modern Art?

(What is Modern Art? A Complete Definition and Guide - dans le gris)
Modern art is typically defined as artworks produced between the 1860s and the 1970s, encompassing a wide range of styles and movements that marked a significant departure from the traditions of the past. The birth of modernism and modern art can be traced back to the profound societal transformations brought about by the Industrial Revolution, which reshaped nearly every aspect of daily life. During this period, modern artists were inspired by the rapid changes in technology, industry, and urbanization. They felt compelled to respond to the challenges and opportunities of the modern world. This led to the exploration of new ways of seeing and understanding the world, as well as fresh ideas about the nature and function of art itself.
(What is Modern Art? A Complete Definition and Guide - dans le gris)

(What is Modern Art? A Complete Definition and Guide - dans le gris)
The term "modern art" is typically associated with artwork in which the traditions of the past are discarded in the spirit of experimentation. A shift away from the narrative, which was a characteristic of traditional arts, toward abstraction is a defining feature of much modern art. Modern art challenges the notion that art must realistically depict the world and instead experiments with the expressive use of color, new techniques, and non-traditional materials, which are now considered the characteristics of modern Art.

Modern art movement has lasted longer than any art movement since the Renaissance. The beginnings of modern painting cannot be clearly demarcated, but there is general agreement that it started in 19th-century France. From about the 1890s on, a succession of varied movements and styles arose that are the core of modern art and that represent one of the high points of Western visual culture. 
(What is Modern Art? A Complete Definition and Guide - dans le gris)

The Major Modern Art Movements:

(What is Modern Art? A Complete Definition and Guide - dans le gris)

Sophie Taeuber-Arp, Composition of Circles and Overlapping Angles, 1930

(What is Modern Art? A Complete Definition and Guide - dans le gris)
Impressionism (1870-1880)

The beginning of modern art. Impressionism was widely regarded as the catalyst of modern art and called into question the rigid rules and realistic depictions of academic painting. Impressionism was the artistic movement that paved the way for art in the modern era, developed by Claude Monet and other Paris-based artists from the early 1860s. Impressionist painters observed the world, then transformed their impression of what they saw into poetic, abbreviated, colorful images.

• Further Reading: Impressionism: The Art of Capturing Fleeting Moments
(What is Modern Art? A Complete Definition and Guide - dans le gris)
Fauvism (1905-1907)

Fauvism was an avant-garde modern art movement that lasted from approximately 1905 to 1910 in Paris, France. The term "Fauvism" describes the work produced by a group of artists, among them Henri Matisse and André Derain. This movement is characterized by its use of vibrant colors and bold brushwork. Consequently, Fauvism became a distinguishing feature of modern art. Fauvists placed a strong emphasis on individual perceptions in their depictions, often featuring recognizable forms. As one of the earliest avant-garde modernist movements in the twentieth century and a pioneer of abstraction, many artists who adopted a Fauvist approach used it as a transitional stepping stone for future developments in their styles.
(What is Modern Art? A Complete Definition and Guide - dans le gris)
Expressionism (1905-1907)

By the end of the First World War, expressionist artworks began to represent a pessimistic and dark vision of the world. Expressionism was characterized by the use of heavy brushstrokes, bold colors, and thick paint to create distorted and often haunting images that focused on the emotional experience rather than physical reality. Its qualities of highly subjective, personal, and spontaneous self-expression are typical of a wide range of modern artists and art movements.
(What is Modern Art? A Complete Definition and Guide - dans le gris)
Cubism (1908-1914)

Cubism was a revolutionary approach to representing reality, invented around 1907-08 by artists Pablo Picasso and Georges Braque. They unified different views of subjects, often objects or figures, within the same picture, resulting in paintings that appear fragmented and abstracted. Like other modern art movements, Cubism emphasized a subjective approach to creation. Characterized by deconstructed and fractured forms, Cubism marked a shift in modern art towards abstraction.
(What is Modern Art? A Complete Definition and Guide - dans le gris)
Futurism (1909-1944)

Futurism, an Italian art movement of the early 20th century, aimed to capture the dynamism and energy of the modern world through art. Futurists were well-versed in the latest developments in science, philosophy, aviation, and cinematography. They used elements of neo-impressionism and cubism to create compositions expressing the dynamism of modern life. Unlike many other modern art movements, such as Impressionism and Pointillism, Futurism was not immediately associated with a distinctive style. Nevertheless, it influenced numerous modern art movements in the 20th century, subsequently impacting the development of graphic design.
(What is Modern Art? A Complete Definition and Guide - dans le gris)
Dadaism (1916-1924)

One movement that revolutionized art, challenged visual conventions, and introduced what we now call modern art is Dada. Dada, or Dadaism, was an avant-garde literary and artistic movement that emerged during the First World War in Zurich. It served as a revolutionary and critical response to the brutality of the war. The art, poetry, and performances produced by Dada artists are often satirical and nonsensical in nature. The Dada art movement lasted for only a decade, preceding new concepts in post-modernist art forms. However, the "anti-aesthetic'"nature of artwork, such as abstract and modern art, continues to be associated with the style of Dadaism, and its impact endures across various fields of art.
(What is Modern Art? A Complete Definition and Guide - dans le gris)
Surrealism (1924-1950)

Surrealism is a movement in visual art and literature that flourished in Europe between World Wars I and II. It aimed to revolutionize human experience by balancing a rational vision of life with one that asserted the power of the unconscious and dreams. Surrealism's emphasis on the subconscious, emotional expression, and the challenge to conventional values significantly influenced the development of modern art. The movement's artists sought magic and strange beauty in the unexpected, the uncanny, the disregarded, and the unconventional. At the core of their work was the willingness to challenge imposed values and norms while searching for freedom. 

• Further Reading: Surrealism in Art: From the Unconscious Dream to Artistic Reality
(What is Modern Art? A Complete Definition and Guide - dans le gris)
Pop Art (1950s-1960s)

Pop art, which emerged in the 1950s and thrived in the 1960s in America and Britain, drew inspiration from popular and commercial culture. It began as a revolt against traditional views of art, with young artists feeling that what they learned in art schools and saw in museums didn't reflect their daily lives. Instead, they turned to sources like Hollywood movies, advertising, product packaging, pop music, and comic books for imagery. Pop Art marked the transition from modern art to contemporary art, challenging the established norms of the art world.

(What is Modern Art? A Complete Definition and Guide - dans le gris)

Main Characteristics of Modern Art:

Pablo Picasso, Atelier de la modiste, 1926
(What is Modern Art? A Complete Definition and Guide - dans le gris)
Modern art is characterized by a spirit of innovation and experimentation, as artists sought to break free from traditional modes of expression and explore new forms of artistic communication. Although many different styles are encompassed by the term, there are certain underlying principles that define modern art. Below, we would like to introduce you the main characteristics of modern art to help you better understand modern art.

(What is Modern Art? A Complete Definition and Guide - dans le gris)
1. Rejection of Tradition

A rejection of history and conservative values, such as the realistic depiction of subjects, was a defining feature of the modern art movement. Modern artists aimed to break away from the constraints of traditional artistic conventions and create work that challenged established norms and preconceptions. They sought to innovate, experiment, and redefine the boundaries of art itself.

One notable aspect of this rejection of tradition was the embrace of abstraction. Many modern artists moved away from faithful representation of the physical world and turned to abstraction to explore the fundamental elements of art, such as color, form, and shape. This marked a significant departure from the representational art of the past, as they sought to convey emotions and ideas through non-representational means.
(What is Modern Art? A Complete Definition and Guide - dans le gris)
2. Favor Abstraction

As mentioned earlier, modern art often departed from representational or realistic depictions of the world and instead placed a strong emphasis on abstract forms and shapes. Furthermore, there was a notable focus on materials, techniques, and processes. With the exception of scattered realist movements, most modern art favored abstraction. This ranged from the geometric deconstructions of Cubists like Braque and Picasso to the lyrical abstraction of artists such as Ronnie Landfield and Dan Christensen.

Another reason why modern artists tended to favor abstraction is that the modern era witnessed significant technological and scientific advancements. Abstraction was influenced by these developments, including the study of the atom, the theory of relativity, and the advent of photography. Modern artists were drawn to the idea of deconstructing and reassembling forms and shapes in novel ways.
(What is Modern Art? A Complete Definition and Guide - dans le gris)
• Further Reading: What is Abstract Art? Exploring the Birth and Pioneers of Abstract Art
(What is Modern Art? A Complete Definition and Guide - dans le gris)
3. Vibrant Colors and Bold Brushstrokes

Most modern artists incorporated vivid and expressive use of color into their work. The movements that made the most extensive use of this technique were Fauvism and Expressionism. Artists practicing within these genres tended to exploit color in various ways to emphasize the emotions they were attempting to convey.

The use of color in modern art often reflected the artist's subjective experience and personal interpretation of the world. Expressionist artists, including members of the Die Brücke and Der Blaue Reiter groups, utilized color to convey their inner turmoil, anxiety, and passion, believing that color could directly represent their emotional states.

Moreover, in modern art movements like Cubism and Futurism, modern artists used color to explore the interaction between form and space. The fragmentation of form and the play of color in these styles added depth and complexity to their works.
(What is Modern Art? A Complete Definition and Guide - dans le gris)
4. Experimentation with Form

Modern artists were also characterized by their relentless experimentation with form, pushing the boundaries of traditional artistic conventions to create innovative and groundbreaking works. For instance, Surrealist artists, such as Salvador Dalí and René Magritte, delved into the realm of the subconscious and dreamlike imagery. They experimented with form to create bizarre and fantastical compositions, challenging the viewer to explore the uncanny and the mysterious, often involving distorted, morphing, or metamorphosing forms.

Before the emergence of modern art, the prevailing artistic norms adhered to representational and realistic depictions of the world. Artists primarily focused on capturing the external world faithfully. However, with the advent of the modern era, artists felt the need to break free from these constraints and explore new ways of perceiving and presenting reality.
(What is Modern Art? A Complete Definition and Guide - dans le gris)
5. Art as a Statement

Contrasting with earlier artists who often used painting and sculpture to promote religion, revisit mythology, or celebrate the human form, modern artists frequently employed their work as a means to make statements. Modern art celebrated the individual artist's unique vision and perspective. Artists were encouraged to express their personal experiences, emotions, and viewpoints. In many cases, modern artists drew inspiration from the present day rather than delving into the past. This idea is also reflected in contemporary art.
(What is Modern Art? A Complete Definition and Guide - dans le gris)
• Further Reading: What is Contemporary Art? Definition, Characteristics and Artists
(What is Modern Art? A Complete Definition and Guide - dans le gris)

Modern Art vs. Contemporary Art: What's the Difference?

(What is Modern Art? A Complete Definition and Guide - dans le gris)

Salvador Dalí is one of the well-known modern artists.
(What is Modern Art? A Complete Definition and Guide - dans le gris)
In art, modern and contemporary forms are largely irreplaceable. People often use the term "modern" for describing some art form of recent times. Actually, this art form is considered contemporary. 

Due to the experimental nature and overlapping themes of both modern and contemporary art, the genres are often confused for one another. But actually the answer is really simple, you only have to distinguish with time. Modern art and contemporary art are from two different time periods. Modern art came before contemporary art. Modern art refers to art created from the 1860s up to the 1970s. While modern art is more recent than the Renaissance or classical art periods, it is by no means current. Whereas, contemporary art means art made in the present day. Usually, those still living and creating artworks or those who have only very recently died or retired. Today’s contemporary artists are more experimental with their mediums.

Both modern and contemporary art can be characterized as revolutionary, however, Contemporary art emphasizes innovation and freedom more than modern Art. It is also liberty to experiment with all styles. Contemporary art focuses on societal influence, with society as the major focus, whereas modern art is an embodiment of individuality. Modern artists tend to find the pure idea of art. 
(What is Modern Art? A Complete Definition and Guide - dans le gris)
• Further Reading: 3 Main Differences Between Modern Art & Contemporary Art
(What is Modern Art? A Complete Definition and Guide - dans le gris)

(What is Modern Art? A Complete Definition and Guide - dans le gris)

Recommended Reading on Modern Art

(Modern Art Definition: A Guide to Modern Art Movement - dans le gris)
Explore the world of modern art with our book recommendations. We want to be transparent about our affiliate partnership with Amazon. This page contains affiliate links, and if you make a purchase through them, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. These commissions support our efforts to provide valuable content and recommendations. 
(What is Modern Art? A Complete Definition and Guide - dans le gris)
Modern Art. A History from Impressionism to Today

Hans Werner Holzwarth, an esteemed art historian and author, takes readers on a captivating tour spanning from the groundbreaking Impressionist movement to the vibrant and diverse world of contemporary art. Through vivid descriptions, insightful commentary, and an extensive collection of artworks, this book provides a vivid narrative of the major art movements, iconic artists, and pivotal moments that have defined modern art.

• Learn more about Modern Art. A History from Impressionism to Today
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MoMA Now: Highlights from The Museum of Modern Art, New York

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(What is Modern Art? A Complete Definition and Guide - dans le gris)
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