Modern Art History Lecture Notes

Introduction to Modern Art

• Modern art spans from 1860 to 1970.
• Marked by experimentation and drastic changes in artistic expressions.
• Triggered by the invention of photography, freeing artists from solely documenting reality.
• Introduction of aesthetics and avant-garde concepts.

Artistic Movements and Styles

Impressionism

• Focused on capturing light effects on objects.
• Notable artists: Monet, Manet, Degas, Renoir.
• Characteristics: Light pastel colors, choppy brush strokes.
• Developed in France, connections to Pennsylvania.

Post-Impressionism

• Extended Impressionism, emphasizing geometric forms and expressive effects.
• Notable artists: George Seurat (pointillism), Paul Signac, Henry Rousseau, Cezanne, Van Gogh, Paul Gauguin.

Art Styles: Art Nouveau and Art Deco

• Art Nouveau: Reaction to the Industrial Revolution, characterized by organic, curvy lines and floral designs.
  • Artists: Alphonse Mucha, Aubrey Beardsley, Gustav Klimt, Lewis Comfort Tiffany.
• Art Deco: Hard geometric shapes, less organic.
  • Artists: Cassandra, William Van Allen, Erte.

Influences of Japanese Art

• Japanism influenced Western art; significant impact on artists like Mary Cassatt, Aubrey Beardsley.

Art Movements Tied to World Wars

• Cubism: Founded by Picasso; depicted objects from multiple viewpoints.
• Constructivism: Tied to Russian Revolution; propaganda art.
• Futurism: Emphasized speed, technology.
• Bauhaus and De Stijl: Simplified forms to promote universality and reconstruction post-war.

Dada and Surrealism

• Dada: Anti-art movement; challenged art conventions.
  • Introduced concepts like ready-mades.
• Surrealism: Influenced by Freud, characterized by dreamlike qualities.
  • Notable artists: Salvador Dali, Frida Kahlo, Renée Magritte.

Favism and Expressionism

• Favism: Use of arbitrary colors; termed 'wild beasts.'
• Expressionism: Reaction to industrialization; focused on conveying strong emotions.
  • Artists: Henri Matisse, Edvard Munch, Wassily Kandinsky.

Abstract Expressionism

• First American movement with international influence; non-objective work.
• Notable artists: Jackson Pollock, William de Kooning, Mark Rothko, Franz Klein.

Pop Art

• Reflected 1960s American culture; used images from pop culture.
• Notable artists: Andy Warhol, James Rosenquist, Claus Oldenburg, Jasper Johns.

Transition to Postmodernism

• Minimalism: Stripped down to essential qualities.
• Performance and Conceptual Art: Focused on ideas and events as art.
  • Examples: Improv Everywhere's performance pranks.
• Land and Installation Art: Use of natural materials, site-specific transformations.

Contemporary Art and Postmodernism

• Postmodern art breaks barriers between high and low art, incorporates diverse styles.
• Differences between postmodern and contemporary art often include questioning the purpose of art.

Conclusion

• Modern art is vast, with numerous artists and movements.
• Encouragement to explore various artists for deeper understanding and final projects.