What Are You Looking At?
Will Gompertz
19 min
7 Key Points
4.9 RateWhat's inside?
Explore the fascinating, unexpected, and sometimes bizarre journey of modern art over the last 150 years, guided by an expert in the field.
You'll learn
1. How modern art has changed in the last 150 years2. The cool stories behind famous modern art pieces3. How to understand and interpret modern art4. How society's changes shaped modern art5. The big players in the modern art scene6. How to enjoy and critique modern art like a pro.Key points
01Art is a snapshot of its era
Art, as Will Gompertz suggests, is like a mirror reflecting the era it's born in. It's not just a product of an artist's imagination, but a canvas that captures the social, political, and cultural vibes of the time. Let's take a quick tour of some art movements to understand this better. We've got Impressionism, Post-impressionism, Primitivism, Cubism, Abstract art (which includes Suprematism and Neo-Plasticism), Dadaism, and Surrealism. Each of these movements sprouted from the seeds of specific historical events and societal shifts. Take Impressionism, for example. This style popped up in the late 19th century, a time when Europe was rapidly transforming with urbanization and industrialization. Artists like Monet and Renoir wanted to capture the essence of this modern life. They painted scenes of leisure and pleasure with loose brush strokes and bright colors. Their work was a snapshot of the changing social dynamics and the new scientific understanding of light and color. Then there's Cubism, a brainchild of artists like Picasso and Braque in the early 20th century. This was a time when the world was reeling from the First World War and grappling with new technologies like photography. Cubist artists broke objects down into geometric shapes and showed them from different angles. This was their way of challenging traditional ideas of representation and reality, reflecting the fragmented and chaotic world around them. Dadaism, another art movement, was born amidst the horrors of World War I. It was a critique of the societal values and rational thought that had led to the war. Dada artists like Duchamp used absurdity and randomness in their work to challenge established norms, reflecting the disillusionment and cynicism of the post-war era. These examples show how art is a mirror of its time, reflecting the social, political, and cultural realities of the era. By understanding the historical and societal context of an art movement, we can appreciate the artwork on a deeper level. And guess what? We're living in an art age right now. The art industry has boomed in the past few decades, with more artwork being created and sold than ever before. Art isn't just in museums and galleries anymore; it's in our streets, public spaces, and even on our screens. By understanding the historical context of art, we can better appreciate and engage with the art that's part of our everyday lives.
02Impressionism: French artists started painting everyday life with visible brush strokes
On a fine spring day, April 15, 1874 to be exact, the art world was turned on its head. A group of artists, including the likes of Claude Monet, Pierre-Auguste Renoir, and Edgar Degas, decided to break away from the stuffy, traditional norms of art. They were tired of the polished, classical oil paintings and academic art that was all about mythology, religious symbols, history, or ancient times in idealized forms. They wanted something fresh, something real, something...impressionistic. Impressionism, as this rebellious movement came to be known, was all about bright colors and a rough, almost crude, painting style. It was about painting the everyday life of the new middle class, the bourgeoisie, who were looking for art that reflected their own experiences and aspirations. It was about capturing the effects of light, making it the star of the show, rather than just a supporting actor. And it was about painting outdoors, or 'en plein air' as the French say, rather than being cooped up in a studio. Speaking of studios, until the 1840s, artists were pretty much chained to theirs because there were no portable oil paint containers. But then, someone had the bright idea of inventing small, color-coned tubs, and voila! Artists could now paint wherever they pleased. This, along with the rise of the bourgeoisie after the French Revolution, helped pave the way for Impressionism. But let's not forget the artists and art forms that influenced this movement. There was Eugene Delacroix, known for his quick, energetic brushstrokes and use of pure, unmixed color pigments. His art captured the mood of the moment, with famous works like Liberty Leading the People depicting contemporary subjects. Then there was Gustave Courbet, whose Realism presented a non-idealized, truthful depiction of ordinary life. This resonated with the Impressionists' desire to portray the world as they saw it. Édouard Manet, a pre-impressionist artist, combined classical allegories with contemporary subjects in his paintings. His works, including Olympia and Luncheon on the Grass, were influential in shaping the Impressionist movement. And let's not forget the Ukiyo-e masters. Ukiyo-e, a genre of Japanese art primarily focused on woodblock prints, reached Europe in the mid-1850s when Japan began exporting art. The Impressionists were inspired by the Ukiyo-e masters' use of color and depiction of everyday life. So there you have it. Impressionism, a groundbreaking art movement that emerged in the late 19th century, was all about bright colors, light, and modern life. It was made possible by technical and social advancements and influenced by a variety of artists and art forms.
Continue reading with LeapAhead app
Full summary is waiting for you in the app
03Post-Impressionism: Artists started using bold colors and shapes to express their feelings
04Primitivism and Cubism: Artists went back to basics, using simple shapes and multiple perspectives
05Abstract Art: The painting isn't a picture of something, it's a thing itself
06Dadaism and Surrealism: After World War I, artists started creating absurd and dreamlike art
07Conclusion
About Will Gompertz
Will Gompertz is a respected British art critic, journalist, and author. He served as the BBC's Arts Editor and was previously a director at the Tate Gallery. Known for his engaging approach to art criticism, Gompertz has written extensively on modern art, making it accessible to a wider audience.
