Art Movement Basics
A foundational guide to the key artistic movements that have shaped the course of art history.
An art movement is a period of time during which artists share a common style or approach to their work. Art movements can be influenced by a variety of factors, such as social and political events, technological advances, and new ideas about art. They often emerge in response to social, political, or technological changes. Art movements can have a profound impact on the development of art, and some of the most influential movements in history have left an indelible mark on the world.
This guide provides a foundational overview of some of the key art movements that have shaped the course of art history. The movements are listed chronologically, and each section includes a brief description of the movement's main characteristics, key artists, and examples of notable works.
Renaissance:
(14th-17th centuries)
The Renaissance was a period of great intellectual and artistic flourishing in Europe. Renaissance artists were inspired by classical antiquity and sought to create realistic and harmonious compositions. Some of the most famous Renaissance artists include Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, and Raphael.
Baroque:
(17th-18th centuries)
The Baroque period followed the Renaissance and was characterized by its dramatic and expressive style. Baroque artists used bold colors, dramatic lighting, and dynamic compositions to create works of art that were both visually stunning and emotionally resonant. Some of the most famous Baroque artists include Caravaggio, Rembrandt, and Rubens.
Neoclassicism
(18th-19th centuries)
Neoclassicism was a reaction against the excesses of the Baroque period. Neoclassical artists sought to revive the ideals of classical antiquity, emphasizing simplicity, order, and balance. Some of the most famous Neoclassical artists include Jacques-Louis David, Antonio Canova, and John Flaxman.
Romanticism
(18th-19th centuries)
Romanticism was a reaction against the rationalism of the Enlightenment. Romantic artists emphasized the importance of emotion, imagination, and the individual. Some of the most famous Romantic artists include William Blake, Caspar David Friedrich, and Théodore Géricault.
Realism
(19th century)
Realism was a movement that sought to depict the world as it is, without idealization or embellishment. Realist artists were interested in depicting the everyday lives of ordinary people, and their work often had a social or political message. Some of the most famous Realist artists include Gustave Courbet, Jean-François Millet, and Honoré Daumier.
Impressionism
(19th century)
Impressionism was a revolution in art history. Impressionist artists broke away from traditional academic painting and sought to capture the fleeting effects of light and atmosphere. They used short, broken brushstrokes and bright colors to create paintings that were both vibrant and evocative. Some of the most famous Impressionist artists include Claude Monet, Pierre-Auguste Renoir, and Edgar Degas.
Post-ImpressionismÂ
(late 19th-early 20th centuries)
Post-Impressionism was a movement that emerged in the late 19th century and was influenced by Impressionism. However, Post-Impressionist artists were not interested in simply capturing the effects of light and atmosphere. Instead, they used Impressionist techniques to explore their own inner worlds and to create works of art that were both visually and intellectually stimulating. Some of the most famous Post-Impressionist artists include Vincent van Gogh, Paul Gauguin, and Paul Cézanne.
FauvismÂ
(early 20th century)
Fauvism was a short-lived but influential movement that emerged in the early 20th century. Fauvist artists were known for their use of bold colors and simplified forms. They sought to create works of art that were pure and expressive, unencumbered by the rules of traditional painting. Some of the most famous Fauvist artists include Henri Matisse, André Derain, and Maurice de Vlaminck.
ExpressionismÂ
(early 20th century)
Expressionism was a movement that emerged in the early 20th century and was characterized by its emotional intensity and distorted forms. Expressionist artists sought to express their inner worlds and emotions through their art, often using bold colors and exaggerated forms. Some of the most famous Expressionist artists include Edvard Munch, Ernst Ludwig Kirchner, and Max Beckmann.
CubismÂ
(early 20th century)
Cubism was a revolutionary movement that emerged in the early 20th century. Cubist artists broke away from traditional perspective and sought to depict objects from multiple viewpoints simultaneously. They used geometric shapes and fragmented forms to create works of art that were both challenging and innovative. Some of the most famous Cubist artists include Pablo Picasso, Georges Braque, and Juan Gris.
SurrealismÂ
(early 20th century)
Surrealism was a movement that emerged in the 1920s and was influenced by Freudian psychology. Surrealist artists explored the subconscious mind and dreams, often through dreamlike imagery and juxtapositions of unrelated objects. Notable artists include Salvador DalÃ, René Magritte, and Frida Kahlo.
Abstract ExpressionismÂ
(mid-20th century)Â
A movement that emphasized the importance of the artist's subconscious and the process of painting, often resulting in large-scale, gestural works emphasizing the artist's emotional and spiritual expression tNotable artists include Jackson Pollock, Willem de Kooning, and Mark Rothko.
Pop Art
(mid-20th century)Â
A movement that drew inspiration from popular culture and consumerism, often using everyday objects and images in their work.
An Overview of Key Artists
Each art movement is associated with a number of key artists, whose work helped to define the movement's style and philosophy.
Some of the most famous artists from different art movements include:
Renaissance: Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, Raphael, Sandro Botticelli, Titian
Baroque: Caravaggio, Rembrandt, Peter Paul Rubens, Diego Velázquez, Johannes Vermeer
Neoclassicism: Jacques-Louis David, Antonio Canova, Robert Adam, John Flaxman
Romanticism: Caspar David Friedrich, J.M.W. Turner, William Blake, Francisco Goya, Théodore Géricault
Realism: Gustave Courbet, Jean-François Millet, Honoré Daumier, Édouard Manet, Edgar Degas
Impressionism: Claude Monet, Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Edgar Degas, Camille Pissarro, Alfred Sisley
Post-Impressionism: Vincent van Gogh, Paul Gauguin, Georges Seurat, Paul Cézanne, Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec
Expressionism: Edvard Munch, Ernst Ludwig Kirchner, Wassily Kandinsky, Franz Marc, Egon Schiele
Cubism: Pablo Picasso, Georges Braque, Juan Gris, Fernand Léger, Robert Delaunay
Surrealism: Salvador DalÃ, René Magritte, Max Ernst, Joan Miró, Yves Tanguy
Abstract Expressionism: Jackson Pollock, Willem de Kooning, Mark Rothko, Clyfford Still, Arshile Gorky
Pop Art: Andy Warhol, Roy Lichtenstein, Jasper Johns, Claes Oldenburg, Tom Wesselmann
Impact of art movements
Art movements have had a profound and continuous impact on the world of art, shaping the way that artists create and viewers experience art. These movements have also influenced other cultural spheres, such as literature, music, and fashion.
For example, the Impressionist movement revolutionized the way that artists depicted light and atmosphere, and its influence can still be seen in contemporary art. The Cubist movement broke with traditional perspective and challenged the way that viewers perceive reality. The Surrealist movement explored the subconscious mind and dreams, and its influence can be seen in a wide range of art, from film to photography.
Art movements are a vital part of the history of art. By understanding the key art movements, viewers can gain a deeper appreciation for the art they experience.