What is Modernism? A Guide to Art, Literature, and Design

Henri Matisse (1869-1954); Liseuse au Bouquet de Roses Henri Matisse (1869-1954); Liseuse au Bouquet de Roses (Bonhams, November 2019).

Modernism has permeated almost every aspect of our daily lives, from the architecture of our buildings to the visual designs we admire and the furniture we use. This pivotal movement influenced art, design, literature, and philosophy, leading to an immense cultural transformation worldwide. 

But what exactly is Modernism, and why and how has it impacted the world as we know it today? What is Modernism art and which artists embraced the movement? In this article, we explore the rich tapestry of Modernism and how this period championed a new order in artistic expression.

What is Modernism in Art?

Modernism in art encompasses various techniques, styles, and media. However, the underlying defining principles hold true in the art that emerged from the movement: a rejection of history and traditional concepts like realism, innovation, and experimentation (shown in abstract shapes, colors, and lines), and an emphasis on new materials and techniques. 

Juan Gris, Portrait of Pablo Picasso, 1912

Juan Gris, Portrait of Pablo Picasso, 1912. Image via Wikimedia Commons.

One common characteristic of modernism was self-consciousness regarding art and social traditions, leading artists to experiment with form. Techniques that specifically drew attention to the creation process and the specific materials used were also characteristic of the period.

History of Modernism in Art

Beginning in the late 1900s, artists experimented with new materials and techniques to create works that better portrayed modern societies and daily life. From early modernism in art came Impressionism, followed by Expressionism, and later Fauvism, Cubism, and abstract art. Below are brief definitions of each influential Modernist movement.

Modernism vs. Modern Art – Is There a Difference? 

Modernism and modern art are often used interchangeably. The most significant difference between the two is how they approach tradition. Modern art rejected traditional techniques and forms, instead championing individual expression and experimentation. 

On the other hand, Modernism accepted tradition and set out to reinterpret and transform it to suit more contemporary ideas. For example, modernist artists took inspiration from the past and used alternative materials and techniques to create new works of art. 

Famous Modernists

The Modernism art movement saw the rise of many groundbreaking artists passionate about breaking down the walls of convention and redefining the boundaries of creativity and expression. From Claude Monet, whose work challenges the use of light and color, to Pablo Picasso, the king of Cubism, these artists were just some of the most pivotal in shaping the course of modern art. Let’s explore how they and other like-minded artists influenced the movement and paved the way for artistic technique and expression today. 

Claude Monet 

Nobody ever forgets the first time they set eyes on a Monet. Claude Monet, a founding figure of the Impressionist movement, was famed for his innovative use of light and color to encapsulate fleeting moments in nature. One of his most notable works, “Impression, Sunrise,” was responsible for giving the Impressionist movement its name.

Vincent Van Gogh

Vincent Van Gogh was a master at using color and brushwork with emotional intensity. Whether he was capturing nature in works like “Sunflowers” or everyday life like in “The Bedroom,” he painted with a vibrant energy that no other artist of the time could match.  

Pablo Picasso

Would Cubism have happened without Pablo Picasso’s relentless passion for artistic exploration and innovation? Constantly pushing boundaries, Picasso’s work spanned many mediums, including paintings, sculptures, ceramics, and printmaking. His revolutionary way of depicting subjects from multiple angles and his Blue and Rose periods have inspired many artists over the years. 

Salvador Dali

Renowned for his fantastical imagery and eccentric personality, Salvador Dali redefined the boundaries of the bold, the bizarre and the beautiful. From his dreamlike paintings to his mind-bending sculptures and intriguing films, Dali was a master of the extraordinary. His work left an indelible mark on the art world, influencing countless artists to think beyond the natural world and the conscious mind. 

Modernist Art Movements

Modernist art movements changed the course of art history forever, introducing new innovations and groundbreaking visions. They have left a lasting legacy that continues to inspire artists and thrill art lovers and collectors today. Let’s take a closer look at these movements and what sets them apart from one another. 

Impressionism: Examples and Artists

Artists like Claude Monet, Edgar Degas and Pierre-Auguste Renoir challenged the status quo, making us view light and color differently. They depicted the movement of time on canvas in a way that made the art world stand still and take notice. Their unconventional visual angles and loose brushwork created spontaneous and unplanned works. 

Example: Monet’s “Water Lilies” masterfully captures the changing light and colors of the water lilies in his garden at home. 

Expressionism: Examples and Artists

When Expressionism first emerged in the 20th century, it was met with mixed emotions and reactions. After all, it was a radical departure from artistic norms. From the psychological themes favored by Edvard Munch to the intense emotional works of Egon Schiele, the movement’s significance and influence grew. 

Example: Munch’s “The Scream” pushes the boundaries of conventional art, providing a glimpse into the artist’s psyche. It’s possibly one of the most over-interpreted paintings in the world. 

Fauvism: Examples and Artists

What would the art world look like without the free-spirited style of Fauvism? Led by Henri Matisse, André Derain, and Maurice de Vlaminck, the movement is best known for its appreciation of bold color and simplified forms. Artists of this time were daring and paved the way for future explorations in abstract art and experimentation with color. 

Example: Matisse’s “Woman with a Hat” broke away from tradition, using color as the main form of expression. 

Cubism: Examples and Artists

Possibly the most radical of all the Modernism art movements is Cubism. There is something genius about deconstructing subjects into geometric shapes and offering multiple perspectives while maintaining the clarity of the original image. Picasso and Braque were masters of their art, challenging artistic norms and influencing countless movements and artists that followed. 

Example: Picasso’s “Les Demoiselles d’Avignon” was bold and dynamic, breaking away from traditional proportions and perspectives. It is considered a seminal work in the creation of modern art. 

Modernism in Literature and Music

Some of the world’s most influential writers and composers defined their art forms during the Modernism movement. From themes of alienation to experimental language and stream-of-consciousness techniques, writers of this time abandoned traditional narrative forms and used non-linear forms of storytelling. 

Famous Modernist Writers

So, who shaped the world of Modernism in literature? We have the likes of James Joyce, Virginia Woolf, and T.S. Eliot to thank for breaking with tradition. Woolf’s “Mrs Dalloway,” published in 1925, for example, experimented with inner monologues and stream of consciousness to explore the thoughts and feelings of her characters. Other notable writers include F. Scott Fitzgerald, whose “The Great Gatsby.” explored the complexities of the American Dream. 

 

Modernist Architecture and Design

Simplicity, functionality, and innovative materials were the order of the day in modernist architecture. The buildings that emerged from this time revolutionized how we think about space and form and produced iconic buildings that transformed our urban landscapes. 

Famous Modernist Architecture

When asked to define modernist architecture, you might think of a simple geometric style. While this is true for many buildings of this time, modernism has many more facets. Visionaries like Le Corbusier and Frank Lloyd Wright redefined architecture with their innovative designs. Le Corbusier’s “Villa Savoye,” for example, exemplifies the modernist principles of open spaces, clean lines, and harmony with nature. Architects of this era were pioneers, forging new cityscapes out of functionality and simplicity. 

What Themes Had the Largest Impact on Modern Art? 

You only have to look at Magritte’s dreamlike scenes, Dali’s surreal landscapes and Sigmund Freud’s theories to see that the exploration of the subconscious mind heavily influenced the modern art era. 

Another significant influence was the fragmentation of reality. Movements like Cubism broke objects apart, reassembling them to present multiple perspectives simultaneously. This theme challenged the viewer to grapple with reality and see beyond the surface. 

Then, themes of alienation and existential dread emerged after World War I, and many artists rejected avante-garden styles such as Cubism. Edvard Munch’s works conveyed a disconnection with society and deep feelings of emotional turmoil. They captured the inner struggle of the human experience and, in the case of “The Scream,” gave us a conversation piece that sparked many an argument around the dinner table. Just who were those figures on the bridge? How do societal pressures contribute to mental distress? 

What is Post-Modernism?

Postmodernism as its name suggests is what came next after modernism. This was the era of artists like Andy Warhol and Jean-Michel Basquiat reigned supreme. They were passionate about blending high and low culture and making art as accessible as it was thought-provoking. Warhol’s Campbell’s Soup Cans is a perfect example of postmodernist art. 

Recapping Modernism Art

Modernism art was a turning point in the art world that would change the world as we know it. By rejecting traditional realism in favor of innovation and experimentation, artists and other latter-day creatives broke through barriers and boundaries to profoundly transform cultural and artistic expression globally.