While symbols have long been used in the visual arts to intensify meaning, transmit messages and bring subjectivity to a work, Symbolism flourished as an art movement between 1885 and 1910. Emerging in France, Symbolist art rejected both Realism and Impressionism and served to extend the private movement of Decadence and Romantic tradition of mysticism…
Surrealism is a twentieth century avant-garde art movement that developed out of the nihilistic ideas of the Dadaists. Led by the French writer Andre Breton, who wrote The Surrealist Manifesto in 1924, the Surrealists were inspired by the thoughts and visions of the subconscious mind. According to Breton, Surrealism reunited the realms of dream and…
Minimalism began in the United States in the 1960’s, but the movement influenced modern art around the world. Minimalism mostly refers to painting, sculpture, and installation work. However, minimalism can refer to any art form that uses the barest essentials. The movement has also been referred to as minimal art, ABC art, reductivism, and rejective…
Abstract Expressionism began in the mid-1940’s in New York City and flourished through the 1950’s. The movement was regarded by many as the golden age of American art. At that time, New York replaced Paris as the crux of the contemporary art movement. Even today, abstract expressionism continues to influence artists around the world, including…
Exhibited in painting, literature, film, architecture and music Expressionism is the term used to describe any art form that distorts reality to produce a highly emotional effect. A subjective art form, Expressionism is characterised by symbolic colours, distorted forms, a two-dimensional careless manner, and larger-than-life imagery. Acting as the opposite of Impressionism, this art movement…