Evolution of Western Visual Art (Paintings)

For me one of the highlights from our trip to Washington DC last month, was visiting the Smithsonian National Gallery of Art. I've been to a few art museums here and there in my day (Indianapolis, Kansas, Costa Rica come to mind) but none quite compared to DC. We visited both the National Gallery of Art and the National Portrait Gallery (which were both surprisingly free) and saw so many classic gems. Paintings that I have seen quite frequently in books or encyclopedias, most notably when I wrote blogs. Classic works by Vincent Van Gogh, Johannes Vermeer, Titian, Paul Cezanne, George Seurat, Claude Monet, Rembrandt, Jan van Eyck, Michelangelo, JMW Turner, Raphael, Leonardo di Vinci, Botticelli, Picasso, and so many more.  

Ever since I have been especially inspired by the classic works of painting. From the painters, their paintings, to the evolution of the artistic movements. The history of art is no doubt a refection of the history of mankind's culture. I once made a deep dive in the studies of art in the summer of 2011. I remember during my courier breaks I would spend free time at the library paging thru books of famous paintings. I was so awe-inspired and finally became familiar with the names and classic works. I eventually wrote a blog highlighting my favorite painters and my favorite paintings (My Favorite Painters, Favorite Paintings 25-21, Favorite Paintings 20-16, Favorite Paintings 15-11, Favorite Paintings 10-6, Favorite Paintings 5-1). However I was just barely scratching the surface of what kind of art this was. 

In this post I want to make a deeper dive in the various forms, schools, and movements of art throughout history. I want to understand the evolution of the art movements throughout time. While I would like to capture the entire world history of art, I think for time sake I can only begin with a focus on western art. There are after all so many different forms and great artists to get into. Perhaps when I begin my Japanese phase I can revisit this topic with a full post on the evolution of Eastern Art. So we'll start thru the ancient days, to the middle ages, the renaissance, the romantic era, impressionism, surrealism, and the modern era. 

Ancient Paintings

Some of the earliest forms of painting have been discovered in caves dating back 40,000 years ago. These were mostly paintings of various shapes, figures, humans, animals, often handprints and such. Found all over ancient civilizations from Europe to Africa, Egypt, and China. They often represented spiritual notions, giving praise to nature or their gods. One of the ancient techniques of creating these images was thru rock carving known as petroglyphs. 

The Ancient civilizations of Mesopotamia, India, China, and Egypt began to really advance their techniques and pigmentations over time. While their artistic buildings and sculptures took precedence they were often illustrated with great paintings and murals. They also introduced new forms of papyrus (thick paper) that provided a canvas to capture the paintings. The Egyptians took their art to the next level by creating symbolic illustrations that depicted every day life as well as the gods. They also created an artistic written language of icons displayed throughout their visual paintings that became known as hieroglyphics. 

Greek and Roman Classical Age

During the rise of ancient Greece, from the Island of Crete a new style emerged known Minoan Art. This was the first form of Aegean art, captured on architecture, sculptures, and pottery. From 3500BC to 1100 BC this became the most popular of the Greek Arts, in contrast to Mycenean Art and Cycladic Art. Some of their most famous paintings include the Prince of Lilies (1550 BC), the Bull Leaping Fresco (1450 BC), and La Parisienne (1400 BC). Following the fall of the Minoan Civilization Greek art took a downturn during what is known as their Dark Age.

That was until 800 BC during the age of Archaic Greece, where the arts flourished once again. Great works of classical architecture, sculpture, and art were created throughout the new capital of Athens that demonstrated a new form of symmetry. Paintings and illustrations were best captured as pottery decorations often depicting warriors in combat or homage to the gods. One of the most famous of these vase painters was known as Andokides from Athens who created many works of art from 530-515 BC. Other great painters of the Classical Greek Age include Apelles, considered one of the first artists to paint Alexander the Great; Then from the Ionian School was Zeucis, Timanthes, and Parrhasius well known for their reliastic depictions of nature. 

The Romans carried on the classical influence of the Greeks, with similar great works of architecture and art. Just as the Greeks their visual art celebrated the beauty of the human body whilst also depicting mythological tales of heroes and gods. The Romans however created many more frescoes on plaster particularly in Pompeii and Herculaneum which was unfortunately destroyed by volcano in 79 AD. It is here that one of the most iconic houses of art is still perserved known as the House of the Vetti. Created in 62 AD, this house depicts 12 masterful paintings of mythological scenes, most famously the Punishment of Ixion. 

Throughout it's long era as the global power, Rome underwent various phases of artistic style ranging from stonework to portraits (as seen in the Fayum Mummy Portraits), Mosaic art to the introduction of Christian art. The mosaic style was first introduced by the Hellenistic Greeks, as a montage of tiles that create a surreal image However the Romans made it far more popular with many great surviving works. One of their most iconic works is the Alexander Mosaic, created in Pompeii 100 BC which depicts the Battle of Issus. Other great works of Roman Art include the Villa of Mysteries (50 BC), The Painted Garden Fresco (30 BC), and Polyphemus and Galatea in Landscape (100 AD).   

Middle Ages

Following the fall of the Roman Empire, Europe entered what is known as the Dark Ages however the practice of art continued throughout various kingdoms. At this time it was no longer influenced by mythological deities yet rather the increasing spread of Christianity. The Byzantine Empire carried on the Roman Mosaic tradition with great works depicting emperors and Jesus Christ. One of the earliest forms of Byzantine art is seen in the Basilica of San Vitale completed in 547 AD, that depicts the emperor Justinian with his advisors. Aside from their mosaic art the Byzantines also produced many forms of religious icon art which later caused a great disagreement among religious officials.  

By the 4th-5th century, the city of Constantinople had become the new Rome of Europe, a flourishing center for culture and the arts. It was here that many great works of Byzantine sculptures and churches were built adorned with great paintings of murals, frescos, and mosaics. The Byzantines introduced the gold ground style which provided a golden leaf backdrop in many of it's Christian art-works. This was used as a way to enhance the image with powerful lighting but also a more symbolic representation of heavenly aura. Other great works of Byzantine art include the Virgin with Child (976), the Theotokos of Vladimir (1131), and the Christ Pantocrator (1261), arguably the greatest work of Byzantine art displayed in the Hagia Sophia.   

While Byzantine Art was probably the most prominent there were still other forms of art throughout the barbaric tribes of Europe known as the Migration Period Art. This included Anglo-Saxon art which demonstrated great religious illustrations in their manuscripts of the time. By the 7th century the northern barbaric tribes created a new artistic style known as Insular Art. This was once again displayed thru intricate designs within books notably in the opening page or the first letter of a stanza. Islamic Art also began to spread throughout parts of Europe as the Caliphs captured territory in Spain and parts of the Byzantine Empire. 

By the 12th and 13th century a new style of Romanesque and Gothic painting began to spread throughout Europe. Whether in manuscripts or within these churches were great illustrations of detail. Many churches used this artistic style to covered the entire ceilings and walls from side-to-side. Stained glass windows also became a new artistic visual expression during this medieval time. The Gothic style of painting developed out of France during the 1200s with more vivid expressions. Some great examples of Gothic paintings include the Lamentation of Christ by Giotto (1305), the Maesta del Duomo di Siena by Duccio (1311), and my personal favorite the Coronation of the Virgin by Fra Angelico (1432).          

Northern Renaissance

During the mid to late 1400s a renaissance of great painters emerged from the Low Countries of Europe. This consisted of the regions of modern day Belgium, Netherlands, and French Flanders in a style that is quite different than the simultaneous Italian Renaissance. Netherlands was on the precipice of a golden age that first began with the Flemish works of Jan van Eyck in the 1420s-1440s. His most famous oil painting the Arnolfini Portrait (1434) demonstrated a very unique style of glimmering realism. He made over 20 great works of portraits, royal figures, and Christian depictions such as his famous work The Ghent Altarpiece (1432). 

He was later carried on by the bizarre work of Hieronymus Bosch from the Netherlands, who created various paintings of biblical concepts. He displayed a genuine creativity in his works best regarded for his surreal depictions of heaven and hell. Painted with oil on oak wood, his works often provided great detail of human emotions in the use of illusionism, pertaining to bliss yet also a darker side of fear and death. Two of his most famous works include the Temptation of Saint Anthony (1501), and The Garden of Earthly Delights (1510).

Other great artists of the Northern Renaissance include Robert Campin, Rogier van der Weyden, Dieric Bouts, and Petrus Christus all who used a similar technique of realism in oil painting. Albrecht Durer was part of the German Renaissance well renown for his self portraits. One of the greatest to come from this age was Pieter Bruegel the Elder also from the Netherlands (1530-1569). The work of Pieter could be seen as the end of the Northern Renaissance and the beginning of the Dutch Golden Age of painting. His paintings had a unique style of realism that depicted great landscapes pertaining to the peasants whilst also the dark elements of death (similar to Bosch). Some of his most famous works include The Hunters in the Snow (1565), and the Tower of Babel (1563) 

Italian Renaissance

Arguably considered one of the greatest of artistic eras that spread from Italy all throughout Europe during the 15th to 16th centuries. I have been thru various phases of Italian Renaissance appreciation whether from the Christian aspect to the political aspect. I think the artwork of the renaissance has always been a part of my life as a Catholic, and was always around me in the church and schoolwork. I came to further appreciate this era with the Assassin's Creed Part 2, Video Game as well as various shows depicting the powerful Borgia and Medici families who were both key patrons of the arts. I made a deep dive into this topic back in 2012, see History of Christianity: Renaissance so won't go into too much detail here. 

It was in the city of Florence where the Renaissance took off and was later spread to Venice, Rome, and all throughout Europe. Just like other longer historical periods it was broken up into various phases of Early Renaissance (1300-1425), High Renaissance (1495-1520), and Mannerism (1520-1600). The Early Renaissance could be seen as the transition from the Gothic Art movement to a more realist and emotional paintings.  Some of these early painters include Masaccio (The Expulsion; 1426), Sandro Botticelli (The Birth of Venus; 1485), and Domenico Ghirlandaio, The Birth of the Virgin Mary; 1485).  

Most artwork of the Renaissance were religious depictions commissioned by the Catholic Church and thus were painted in great cathedrals. One of the key elements of this new style of Renaissance painting was the concept of humanism which truly celebrated human beauty. The peak of this era known as the High Renaissance brought about some of the most recognizable names in art such as Leonardo da Vinci (Virgin of the Rocks, 1486; The Last Supper, 1490; Mona Lisa, 1516) Raphael (The Wedding of the Virgin, 1504; The School of Athens, 1511), and the great sculptor and painter Michelangelo (Sistine Chapel 1512; The Last Judgement, 1541). Other great artists of this time include Giorgione, Bellini, and Titian from the Venetian School.

The style of Mannerism moved away from the High Renaissance portrayal of beauty with more exaggerated and unbalanced figures. Humans were no longer portrayed with symmetrical masculine and feminine features yet rather elongated unnatural bodies. This shift was first introduced by the later works of Michelangelo that influenced other artists such as Pontormo, Parmigianino, Bronzino, and Tintoretto. This era that emerged in the mid 1500s saw the end of the Renaissance and the transition into new schools of art such the Northern Mannerism of France, Prague, and Netherlands, the Antwerp Mannerism of Belgium, and the eventually emergence of Baroque in the 17th century.    

Baroque Movement

At the turn of the 17th century a new cultural movement emerged known as Baroque. This was on par with the Protestant Reformation and the Age of Enlightenment, where art took on a new form that no longer only glorified Christian religious events. New painting techniques improved the realistic quality of the work with rich undertones of details, light, and shows. Caravaggio from Milan became one of the leaders of this new style that demonstrated a sharp contrast between light and darkness. Some of his most famous works include Bacchus (1590), Judith and Holofernes (1599), Supper at Emmaus (1601) and The Crucifixion of Saint Peter (1601). Another great contributor to the Baroque movement was Nicolas Poussin from France, best known for his work Et in Arcadia Ego (1637).

While art sought to move away from high religion there was still an effort to sustain this theme in the age of Absolutism and Counter Reformation led by the Catholic Revival. One of the key advocates for continued Catholic works was the Spanish Empire, that was undergoing it's own Golden Age. Led by one of their greatest painters Diego Velazquez, his work helped establish a Spanish identity depicting royal family members and historical events. His most famous works include The Surrender of Breda (1635) and his masterpiece, Las Meninas (1656). Other great Baroque artists include Claude Lorrain from France best known for his mythological landscapes and Canaletto best known for his cityscapes of Venice.    

Dutch Golden Age

While the movement of Baroque spread throughout Europe, it was especially felt in the Netherlands that was undergoing it's own Dutch Golden Age. Following th Eighty Years War, the Dutch Republic acheived independence and had quickly become one of the most prosperous nations in Europe. This was celebrated in their great works of art led by some of the greatest painters in Johannes Vermeer, Peter Paul Rubens, and Rembrandt. While the techniques were on par with the Baroque style, this region supported the Protestant reformation and hence created it's own national identity in these works. Simultaneously it's neighbor of Flanders (modern day Belgium) was also undergoing a great cultural awakening of art.

The Dutch introduced new forms of historical painting, portraits, everyday scenes of life, landscapes, and still lifes. One of the leaders of this movement was the great Rembrandt who created a wide range of works from portraits, to biblical themes, landscapes, and so forth. Aside from his many masterful self-portraits other great works include Belshazzar's Feast (1638), The Night Watch (1642), The Samplings Official (1662). Then there was the brilliant work of Johannes Vermeer who created his own style of indoor settings of everyday life, illuminated by light from the window. Some of his most famous works include The Girl with a Pearl Earring (1665) and The Milkmaid (1658). Other great Dutch painters of this age include Frans Hals, Bartholomeus van der Helst, Jan Steen, and Adriaen van Utrecht (renown for his still lifes). 

Flemish painting was also undergoing a renaissance of Baroque works during this time. Following it's boom of Mannerism at, the city of Antwerp had become a new central hub for art and culture by the 1700s. They were led by the great work of Peter Paul Rubens who established a new style of Reformation Christian art, alongside other styles of portraits, landscapes, still lifes, and historical and mythological settings. His work often accentuates human fat and muscle with also savage depictions as seen in the Massacre of the Innocents (1612) or Saturn (1636). Other great Flemish Baroque painters include Anthony van Dyck and Jacob Jordaens.    

    

Rococo 

By the 1700s the Late Baroque movement evolved into what is known as Rococo art. This style from France presented a less formal structure of curvature and carefree portrayals. This was on par with the growing sentiment of French aristocracy and enlightenment that sought to celebrate human liberties, emotions, and pleasures. One of the leading figures of this movement was Antoine Watteau, best known for The Embarkation for Cythera (1717). He was succeeded by the similar decorative paintings of Francois Boucher from Paris, the still-life master Jean Simeon Chardin, and Jean-Honore Fragonard, best known for his masterwork The Swing (1767) which became the ideal representation of Rococo art.

By the early 1800s this art had began to merge with new styles of neo-classicism and romanticism. One of the first great female painters emerged from this age, Elisabeth Vigee le Brun who was a court painter who created many famous portraits of Marie Antoinette. While France was the founders of this movement, there were also similar styles found throughout Italy, Germany, and England that celebrated aristocratic lavishness. Two of the most famous painters from the English Rococo school were William Hogarth and Thomas Gainsborough. While Hogarth often depicted satirical scenes, Gainsborough demonstrated more soothing portraits in the backdrop of beautiful landscapes. Some of his most famous works include Mr. And Mrs. Andrews (1750) and the Blue Boy (1770).        

       

Neoclassicism and Romanticism

Following the Rococo movement throughout the 18th century two new branches of art emerged known as Neo-classicism and Romanticism. The Neoclassicism style was a homage to the old Greek and Roman classical ideals with new modern painting techniques. This style was first introduced by the French painter Jacques-Louis David. As a prominent supporter of the French Revolution and Napoleon Bonaparte, David painted many historical and political works with great realistic detail. Some of his most famous paintings include Oath of the Horatii (1784), Paris and Helen (1788), and one of my personal favorites The Death of Marat (1793). His work greatly influenced other neoclassical painters such as Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres who also painted great works of historical and mythological beauty.

In opposition to this movement was a new growing ideal of art for art's sake which sought to break free of any religious, historical, or political meaning. This became the cornerstone ideal of the Romanticism movement which brought about some of the greatest painters in history. German painter Caspar David Friedrich became one of the early masters of this movement, demonstrating great works of metaphysical landscapes such as Chalk Cliffs on Rugen (1818), Wander above the Sea of Fog (1818), and Moonrise by the Sea (1822). 

His English counterpart J.M.W Turner took this idea of metaphysical landscapes to new heights with his expressive paintings which could be seen as a pre-cursor to the impressionist movement. Using a watercolor technique Turner created his own unique style of blurry skies often depicted along the sea. Some of his most famous works include Venice the Dogana and San Giorgio Maggiore (1834) and The Fighting Temeraire (1838). Another great English Romantic painter was John Constable best known for his beautiful landscape paintings that demonstrated very expressive clouds in his famous works of Wivenhoe Park (1816) and the Hay Wain (1821).      

From the French School of Romanticism there was the passionate Eugene Delacroix who captured new forms of exotic art. His famous works of Liberty Leading the People (1830) are often seen as pre-cursors to the movements of symbolism. From the Spanish school came the great Francisco de Goya who began as a court painter but grew into a more developed presentation of historical violence and psychological terrors. He is best known for his more dark and violent work such as The Witches' Sabbath (1798), The Third of May (1814), and Saturn Devouring his Son (1823). At this time Americans also began to emerge as great Romantic, landscape, and historical painters such as John Trumbull, John Singleton Copley, Thomas Cole, Frederic Edwin Church, and Asher Brown Durand (Kindred Spirits, 1849). 

   

Realism

By the mid 1800s, towards the late age of Romanticism emerged a new artistic movement from France and Russia known as Realism. This art demonstrated it's content at it's most highest quality of vivid detail, free of any conceptual representations. This movement was on par with that of Naturalism that sought to break free of any social or political issues. One of the innovators of this movement was French painter Gustave Courbet, who painted the working class people in contrast to the beautification of the aristocrats demonstrated in Rococo or Romanticism artworks. Courbet's paintings were mostly of landscapes, seascapes, nudes, self portraits, and still lifes. Some of his most famous work include The Desperate Man (1845), Burial at Ornans (1950), and the Painters Studio (1855).

From the Russian school of Realism also came a new celebration of the working class against the industrialization of society. The paintings of Ilya Repin are some of my all time favorites depicting historical events, portraits, and every day life with such incredible detail (yet also a hint of distortion). Some of his most famous works include the Barge Hauler on the Volga (1873), The Religious Procession in Kursk Province (1883), Ivan the Terrible and his Son (1885), and the Celebration of the new Russian Constitution (1805). 

American art had also begun to mature throughout the 1800s alongside great landscape works of naturalism was also the emerging movement of Realism. One of the first great Americans in this discipline was Thomas Eakins who specialized in portraits depicting everyday citizens (often practicing medicine or posing in the nude). Some of his most famous works include The Gross Clinic (1871) and the Swimming Hole (1885). This tradition was continued with the great modern realist works of Edward Hopper during the 1900s (also happens to be one of my favorite painters). Using great detail of watercolor and oil paintings he specialized in urban cafe settings often depicting themes of loneliness. Some of his most famous works include Automat (1927), Chop Suey (1929), and his masterpiece Nighthawks (1942).

Impressionism

If I had to rank my favorite artistic movements, I would probably have Impressionism (and Post-Impression) at the front followed by Realism and the Renaissance. Ever since we were young and did puzzles around Christmas time, it seems like they were always of the Impressionist artform. This movement began in France influenced by the illusionary Romantic work of JMW Turner or Eugene Delacroix. One of the first in this movements to bridge the style of realism with elements of haziness was Edouard Manet. His breakthrough works of The Luncheon on the Grass (1863) and the Bar at the Folies-Bergere (1883) demonstrated this new form of modern representation. 

However it was the great Claude Monet who truly defined the art of impressionism with it's iconic blurry feature. Monet dubbed the term impressionism with his famous painting Impression, Sunrise (1872). Here we see a similar style to JMW Turner depicting a sunset on a seascape. While he went thru various phases of landscapes and outdoor paintings, he is probably best regarded for his artistic presentation of gardens, flowers, and water lilies. This was truly a new form of art that went far beyond a simple image, and provoked deeper thoughts and meaning. 

The work of Camille Pissarro was also an influential contributor to the movement of impressionism. He specialized in rural settings and cityscapes depicting modern day living. His paintings also had the similar style of fuzzy, linear strokes, to give off a surreal illusion of an image. His Boulevard Montmartre series (1897) depicting the rainy streets and carriages of Paris are some of my all time favorites. Pissarro was also a key contributor and a father figure to the post-impressionist movement of Cezanne, Seurat, Gaugin, and Van Gogh.

Another one of the all time great French Impressionist painters was Pierre-Auguste Renoir. He especially preferred to celebrate female beauty, expression, and sensuality in his paintings, which consisted of many nudes. Renoir captured such realism and beauty in facial expressions, which were emphasized with hazy dreamlike backdrops. This feature is specially on display in his masterful works Pont-Neuf (1872), Bal du Moulin de la Galette (1876) and Luncheon of the Boating Party (1880). The famous painting of the Luncheon is quite unique in that of the many people gathered none are looking directly at one another.     

The artist Edgar Edgars brought forth his own style of impressionism with heavier elements of realism. He specialized in capturing movement whether thru dance such as ballet or thru racehorses. He also painted portraits depicting complex human emotions of depression and isolation. Some of his most famous works include the Ballet Class (1874), and the Absinthe (1876). Other great Impressionist painters included Alfred Sisley, Gustave Caillebotte (Paris Street Rainy Day, 1877), American Mary Cassatt, and Eugene Boudin often referred to as the King of the Skies.        

Post Impressionism, Pointilism, and Primitism

By the late 1800s a new generation of artists sought to create their own modern style of artistic expression (also one of my favorite movements). The period of Post-Impressionism began with the works of Paul Cezanne who demonstrated a new style with more vivid colors. His paintings depicted portraits, still-lifes sometimes depicting skulls, and landscape settings in an almost animated fashion. Some of his most famous works include the Card Players (1895), the Pyramid of Skulls (1901), and the Bathers (1905). This colorful style also became prominent in the works of the other great painters such as Georges Seurat, Vincent Van Gogh, Gauguin, and Henri Rousseau who created their own distinctive styles. 

The work of Georges Seurat carried on the illusionary style of impressionism with a new technique called pointillism. Instead of the usual brush strokes his images were made up of many colorful dots. He produced many masterful works such as the Bathers at Asnieres (1884), Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte (1886), and Le Chahut (1890). The French artist Paul Signac also used this distinctive technique of pointillism is his colorful paintings. This technique became a precursor to the style of divisionism, fauvism, and cubism.            

Dutch artist Vincent Van Gogh could be considered the greatest of the post-impressionist painters and also happens to be one of my favorite painters. His work is the epitome of trance art, blurring reality with the fantasy. He uses various techniques of realism, pointillism, and impressionism in his works of portraits, landscapes, still-lifes and various other images. His work is all the more celebrated due to his mental episodes of depression, delusions, and lunacy. He has many famous works but some of my all time favorites include the Night Cafe (1888), the Cafe Terrace at Night (1888), the Starry Night Over the Rhone (1888), the Starry Night (1889), as well as his various self portraits and still-lifes of sunflowers.  

One of Van Gogh's best friends was the painter Paul Gauguin who also created his own unique style of post-impressionism paintings. His work was also very colorful, vivid, and surreal in a style known as synthetism. He later traveled to Tahiti and the islands of French Polynesia where he became inspired to incorporate a new style of vibrant colors later known as primitivism. This abstract form, also known as Naïve Art, became a specialty of the French painter Henri Rousseau. His works often depicted colorful African animals and landscapes, which was a very new form of art. Some of his most famous work includes The Sleeping Gypsy (1897), The Hungry Lion throws itself on the Antelope (1905), and the Dream (1910). 

Modernism, Fauvsim, Cubism

At the turn of the 20th century carrying on with the post-impressionist movement, many artists were still seeking for newer forms of modern expression. At this point visual art began to branch off into many various directions of styles and technique. This truly began to broaden the artistic interpretation of deeper meaning behind the works. This branching of various forms can often be grouped within the school of modernism that emerged in the early 1900s. It was the breakthrough work of Van Gogh, Cezanne, Gauguin, Seurat, and Rosseau that opened the door to this new progressive movement. 

The style of Fauvism is a perfect example that branched off from impressionism and pointillism. This movement was a fusion of various styles introduced by French painter, Henri Matisse. He continued the practice of colorful images in his paintings with abstract and unnatural brush strokes. His definitive work of The Woman with a Hat (1905) displays this surreal tendency. Andre Derain, good friend of Matisse, was another proponent of the Fauvism. This painting style truly opened the doors for more abstract, expressionism, and symbolic works. 

The work of Pablo Picasso could also be categorized in this modernist era as he also created his own style of abstract art known as Cubism. Whilst also a sculptor Picasso underwent various phases throughout his artistic career. His early periods known as the Blue and Rose period had elements of abstract Fauvism, with strong colors and neutral facial expressions. He then changed his style to create Cubism, which essentially broke an image up into various angular pieces. This led to a new style of oen artistic interpretation as an asymmetrical work. His prime examples of this style include Les Demoiselles d'Avignon (1907), Portrait of Daniel Henry Kahnweiler (1921), and his masterpiece Guernica (1937). Another great painter of the Cubism and Fauvism movement was Georges Braque who was also a colleague of Picasso.  

Influenced by Georges Seurat, the work of Jean Metzinger carried on this painting style of modernism, with blended elements of divisionism, fauvism, and cubism. He specialized in creating objects broken up into various parts yet still giving off a stimulating and aesthetic visual. Some of his most famous works include La Femme au Cheval (1912) and Dancer in a Cafe (1912). Metzinger helped establish an organization of modern artists living in Paris known as the Section d'Or that shared a common interest in the cubism, divisionism, and fauvism styles. Such artists included Albert Gleizes, Robert Delaunay, and Fernand Leger. 

Expressionism and Symbolism 

  

Another school of art that branched from the post-impressionist movement to the modernist era was that of Expressionism. This modern form of art emphasized human emotions and complex psychological visuals. The concept was often one of abstract distortion that either took the viewer into someone's else emotional episode or created an image to cause the viewer an emotional reaction. Arguably one of the definitive images of this movement was Norwegian Edvard Munch's painting The Scream (1893). This painting depicts someone experiencing a raw panic attack surrounded by an aura of waves no doubt representing madness. Other great paintings of his include Madonna (1895) and the Sick Child (1896).

Other great expressionist painters included Marc Chagall of Russia who blended elements of cubism, fauvism, and symbolism into his abstract works. Some consider his work to be the precursor to surrealism. The famous Italian painter Amedeo Modigliani was also associated with the expressionist movement. He was part of the School of Paris, the Section d'Or, as well a contributor to Picasso's community in Montmartre. He portrayed a sexual style which often depicted portraits of elongated necks and nude women. James Ensor was another influential expressionist painter who also dipped into styles of symbolism.     

The movement of Symbolism predates the Modernist era, however certainly became more practiced during this time. This artwork often depicts more metaphoric images using elements of mysticism and fantasy. It also often sometimes displays darker themes of philosophy, hedonism, erotic perversion, and death. Belgian painter Felicien Rops became one of the leading figures of the modern symbolist movement with his painting Pornocrates (1878). This was an iconic painting of the Decadant Movement that displayed a blunt image of shameful human excess. 

Pierre Purvis de Chavannes presented a Romantic form of symbolism depicting human beauty with elements of mysterious allegories, best seen in his famous work The Young Girls by Seaside (1879). James McNeil Whistler can also be considered in the symbolist movement, even though he is best known for inventing tonalism. His most famous works include the Whistler's Mother (1871) and the abstract work known as the Nocture in Black and Gold- The Falling Rocket (1877). This unique painting depicts a night sky that is illuminated by fireworks. While it is a very beautiful image it is difficult to understand exactly what is happening.             

Another one of the iconic artists of the modernist age was the Austrian painter Gustav Klimt. He was a leading figure of the Vienna Secession Movement that introduced new forms of artistic expression known as symbolism and Art Nouveau. Although he went thru various artistic phases he is best known for his use of the gold leaf as well as erotic depictions of the female body. Some of his most famous paintings include Portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer I (1907), and the Kiss (1907). Another leading figure of the symbolist movement was French artist Gustave Morau who painted allegories pertaining to mythological and biblical events. Some of his most famous works include Oedipus and the Sphinx (1864), L'Apparition (1876), and Salome Dancing Before Herod (1876).     

    

Dada and Surrealism

Another branch of modernism that truly began to push the limits of abstract interpretation was Dada and Surrealism. The Dada movement emerged from Zurich, Switzerland founded by Hugo Ball with an emphasis on the absurd chaos. This expression took on various movements of symbolism and cubism to create a collage of perplexing images. Marcel Duchamp was one of the the most famous of the Dada painters with notable works such as Nude Descending a Staircase (1912). Other prominent Dada artists included Francis Picabia best known for The Spring (1912) Man Ray, Kurt Schwitters (Construction for Noble Ladies, 1919) and Hannah Hoch (Cut with the Kitchen Knife through the Last Epoch of Weimar Beer-Belly Culture in Germany, 1919).

Many of these Dada artists also dipped into the similar abstract movement of the time known as Surrealism. Created by French artist Andre Breton this form of art expression was best described as "pure psychic automatism" by which the artists creates an impulsive work in the moment rather than a planned image. This technique is also known as automatic drawing, which is prone to accident and thus considered more of a raw and authentic work of art. Another key aspect of surrealism is reaching into the unconscious mind, where artwork often becomes that of a dream or an altered state. This movement really took sway in Paris in the 1920s. 

One of the early successful surrealists was German artist Max Ernst. He created various new techniques such as frottage and grattage, which consisted of pencil rubbings and paint scrapings to create unique images. Some of his most famous paintings include The Elephant Celebes (1921) and the Angel of Hearth and Home (1937). Perhaps one of the most famous surrealist was Spanish artist Salvador Dali. He was the embodiment of an eccentric personality who created many bizarre paintings and works of art, which were often depictions of his dreams. Although it is tricky to interpret these works, they are actually very impressive visual displays. Some of his most famous include The Persistence of Memory (1931), Soft Construction with Boiled Beans (1936), and the Christ of Saint John of the Cross (1951- I remember my grandma had this painting in her house). 

Other great surrealist artists include Joan Miro (The Tilled Field, 1924) and Girogio de Chirico (Songs of Love, 1914). From Mexico there was also a great artistic awakening throughout the 1920s-1930s led by great artists Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo both from the school of surrealism. Rivera specialized more-so in murals depicting Mexican heritage. Frida however really pushed the realms of surrealism with her abstract self-portraits. She created an original distinctive style fusing elements of primitivism, naive art, and even magic realism with images that blended reality with fantasy. Some of her most famous works include Self Portrait with Monkey (1939), The Two Fridas (1939), and Self Portrait with Thorn Necklace and Hummingbird (1940).           

Ashcan Shool and Regionalism

By the 20th century the United States had emerged as the new global economic power, and thus brought forth a renaissance of culture and art. New York City had become the new Paris, a city of artistic community and inspiration. The Ashcan School first developed in the 1890s as group of impressionist and realist painters who sought to depict everyday life in New York City. Some of the leading figures in this movement include Robert Henri (Snow in New York, 1902), George Luks, William Glackens, John Sloan, Everett Shinn, and George Bellows (Cliff Dwellers, 1913 and Dempsey and Firpo, 1924) Many of these artists were inspired by the poetry of Walt Whiltman and would go on to illustrate for major journals and newspapers throughout New York City. Thomas Hopper was also a part of this group, but I already included him in the section on realism. 

In contrast to the urban scenes there was also an American movement that celebrated the rural country life, known as Regionalism. This form of expression kicked off around the 1930s-1940s most notably during the Great Depression. It appealed to the more conservative small-town folk, with simple undertones, moving away from abstract notions. Iconic examples of this movement include Grant Wood's famous painting known as American Gothic (1930); Tragic Prelude (1942) by John Steuart Curry; and Cristina's World (1948) by Andrew Wyeth.  

Abstract-Expressionism

Modern art continued to expand into so many abstract forms throughout the 20th century. Ranging from Suprematism, Neo-plasticism, Synchromism, Futurism, Precisionism, Geometric abstraction, and so forth. Each of these created unique stimulating visual images, while leaving so much open for interpretation. These works of art now became subjective, leaving a range of emotions and reactions from viewers. Famous early pioneers of these art forms include Dutch artist Piet Mondrian, Kazimir Malevich (father of Suprematism), and Stanton Macdonald Wright (founder of Syncromism). 

A second renaissance of modern abstract art began after World War 2 (from the 1940s-1950s) once again based out of New York City. This movement became known as abstract-expressionism with a high emphasis on chaotic images that also created appealing optical illusions. Some key artists of this movement include Arshile Gorky, Richard Pousette-Dart, and Mark Rothko. However one of the most famous of the modern expressionist artists was Jackson Pollock. He specialized in all-over action painting using a unique technique of drip and splashing paint on the canvas. His works somehow present a chaotic yet still enticing visual. This modern artform has no doubt become a reflection of the sophistication and intellectual capacity of human society today.

Pop Art

Throughout the 1950s-1960s in a new age of television, radio, advertising, comic books and such came a new form of artistic expression known as pop art. This was a reference to the popular culture that had been established thru these various new mediums (most notable in America and Britain). This art was often very naïve, simplistic, satirical, and almost childish as a counter response to the abstract-expressionist artform. Some of the early innovators of this artform include Edurado Paolozzzi (I Was a Rich Man's Plaything, 1947), Richard Hamilton, and Robert Rauschenberg.

One of the most iconic leaders in the pop-art movement was American Andy Warhol. Throughout the 1960s Warhol began a new phase of celebrity, corporate, and cultural glorification. Using mostly photographs as his source material, he then applied unique coloring and collage work to give off a stimulant image. Although Warhol is considered today as one of the most significant American modern artists alongside Jackson Pollack, I happened to think his artwork is very dimwitted. This of course leads back to the open for interpretation concept, and there can be no question that his work was still very influential on American pop culture. Some of his most famous works include Campbells Soup Cans (1962) and Maryiln Ditch (1962).

Art today continues to move in various different directions with new movements such as hard-edge painting, minimalism, abstract illusionism to name a few. Although we have entered a new century driven by technology and social media we don't really have one dominant style of art. If we are now living in the post-modern age, visual painting has now taken on a "anything goes" ideology, sometimes referred to as contemporary art. With technology and artificial intelligence these days it seems that artistic painting has maybe become a thing of the past. That still doesn't mean we can't admire the brilliant evolving works of the past.