History of Contemporary Art: From the 1960s to Today
Contemporary art refers to artistic creation from the 1960s onward for this editorial reference. Breaking with modern-art conventions, it embraces broad freedom of forms, media and subjects — from pop art and street art to conceptual art and digital creation. Here is its history, key dates and essential characteristics.
Contemporary art is generally defined as creation produced from the 1960s to the present. It is characterised by freedom of media and forms, a questioning of society and a challenge to established artistic categories. It follows modern art, broadly understood as 1860 to 1960, and includes movements such as pop art, conceptual art, minimalism, street art and digital art.
Definition of contemporary art
Contemporary art can be approached historically as art created from the 1960s onward, or through the idea of simultaneity as art being created today. For this page and the wider content cocoon, the historical reference is the 1960s.
The historical definition
From a historical point of view, contemporary art corresponds to works created from the 1960s, when pop art, conceptual art and new media radically expanded the field. Some institutions begin their contemporary collections in 1945, but 1960 is the clearest reference for this editorial content.
This definition includes every work made during the period, whatever its style, medium or movement: from oil painting to video installation, performance, digital creation or street art. It follows modern art, broadly dated from 1860 to 1960.
The definition of simultaneity
A second definition considers contemporary art as everything created today. This approach includes artists working in figurative or traditional styles as well as artists using experimental forms. It is flexible but less precise from a historical perspective.
In art-market language, living contemporary art often refers to works by artists who are currently active. This is the perspective most useful when discovering new artists and buying an original artwork today.
When does contemporary art begin?
Contemporary art begins around the 1960s for the main editorial and academic reference used here. This is when pop art, conceptual art and new artistic media established a decisive break with earlier modern-art conventions.
The beginning of contemporary art is debated, but the 1960s are the most useful turning point for understanding its history. Pop art challenged the boundary between art and mass culture, conceptual art placed ideas at the centre, and new materials entered artistic practice.
Museums may organise their collections differently, sometimes beginning in 1945 or using another date. For this page, contemporary art means creation from the 1960s onward, while recognising post-war abstraction as an important precursor.
Characteristics of contemporary art
Contemporary art is defined by three broad characteristics: freedom of media, engagement with reality and society, and a questioning of the status of the artwork itself. It inherits the experiments of modern art but takes the break with established categories further.
1. A break with classical codes
Contemporary art rejects academic art and figurative convention as compulsory standards. It questions the definitions of artwork, beauty and technical virtuosity. This challenge grows from Marcel Duchamp’s readymades and from Dada and Surrealist experiments.
2. Complete freedom of media
A contemporary artist can use almost any material or medium: canvas, concrete, light, sound, the human body, networks, found objects or digital code. The temporary nature of some performances and installations also questions conservation and the idea of artistic heritage.
3. Social engagement and a critical view of the world
Contemporary art is often a mirror of society. It explores crises, inequalities, conflicts, identity, ecology and technological change. Artists may work outside institutions, directly in public space or through social networks, to reach wider audiences.
The main contemporary art movements
Contemporary art movements are multiple and often overlap rather than forming one linear story. The major approaches include abstract expressionism as a precursor, pop art, minimalism, conceptual art, Arte Povera, neo-expressionism, neo-pop, street art and digital art.
Contemporary art does not reduce itself to a single style. Its movements can coexist, influence one another and be combined by the same artist.
Abstract expressionism
Pollock, Rothko and de Kooning — New York. Colour and gesture become forms of direct expression without narrative.
Pop art
Warhol and Lichtenstein — New York. Popular imagery, advertising and mass culture become artistic material.
Minimalism
Donald Judd and Dan Flavin — New York. Forms are reduced to geometry, repetition and industrial materials.
Conceptual art
Joseph Kosuth and Sol LeWitt — international. The idea takes precedence over the physical object.
Arte Povera
Joseph Beuys and Jannis Kounellis — Italy and Europe. Raw materials question consumer society and institutional art.
Neo-expressionism
Basquiat, Kiefer and Schnabel — United States and Germany. Figurative painting returns with emotional intensity.
Neo-pop
Jeff Koons and Takashi Murakami — United States and Japan. Mass culture returns through monumental, playful imagery.
Street art
Banksy, JR and KAWS — global. Public space becomes a gallery for stencils, murals and engaged images.
Digital art
Beeple and teamLab — global. 3D works, interactive installations, code, NFTs and AI become artistic tools.
Read our detailed guide to the main contemporary art movements.
Contemporary art in the United States and internationally
Contemporary art is international by nature. Its history has been shaped by New York, Paris, London, Berlin, Tokyo, Los Angeles and many other artistic centres, as well as by biennials, galleries, museums, public spaces and digital networks.
The United States played a major role in the international development of contemporary art through New York’s galleries, museums and artists. Europe, Japan, Latin America, Africa and many other regions have also contributed essential practices, perspectives and movements.
Key institutions and places to discover contemporary art
- Museum of Modern Art and Whitney Museum in New York, with major collections of modern and contemporary creation
- Tate Modern in London, one of the world’s most visited contemporary-art museums
- Centre Pompidou and Palais de Tokyo in Paris, important European institutions
- Guggenheim Museum in New York and Bilbao, with influential modern and contemporary collections
- Biennials, art fairs and galleries, which present current creation and connect artists with new audiences
Private galleries also play an essential role in discovering contemporary artists. They provide context, advice and access to original works for collectors and first-time buyers who want to buy contemporary art in a gallery.
Carré d’artistes connects art history with living artistic practices through a selection of original works by 500 artists. Founded in 2001, the company follows a fair-price policy designed to reward artists fairly while keeping art accessible. Browse the available artworks →
Discover contemporary art today
The history of contemporary art is still being written. Explore original paintings and sculptures by artists who respond to the social, cultural, environmental and technological questions of the present.
Explore the artworksFrequently asked questions about contemporary art history
The history of contemporary art begins around the 1960s for this editorial reference and has no fixed end date because artists continue to create and redefine its boundaries. These answers cover the main dates, characteristics and movements.
What is contemporary art?
Contemporary art refers here to artistic creation from the 1960s onward. It is characterised by freedom of media and forms, engagement with reality and a questioning of the status of the artwork. It includes pop art, conceptual art, minimalism, street art and digital art.
When does contemporary art begin and end?
Contemporary art begins around 1960 for this editorial reference. It has no fixed end date because it describes art that continues to be produced and evolves with society, technology and new artistic practices.
What is the difference between modern and contemporary art?
Modern art broadly covers 1860 to 1960 and includes Impressionism, Cubism, Fauvism, Surrealism and other modern movements. Contemporary art begins around the 1960s and goes further in questioning the artwork, the medium, society and the role of the viewer. Read the detailed comparison →
What are the main characteristics of contemporary art?
The main characteristics of contemporary art are freedom of media, social and political engagement, a break with classical conventions, formal experimentation and the importance of context, interpretation and participation.
Who are the best-known contemporary artists?
Among the best-known contemporary artists are Banksy, Jean-Michel Basquiat, Jeff Koons, Takashi Murakami, Damien Hirst, KAWS, Anselm Kiefer, Jenny Saville, Peter Doig and JR. They represent very different movements and practices. Explore famous contemporary artists →
Where can I see contemporary art?
Contemporary art can be seen in museums such as MoMA, Tate Modern, the Guggenheim Museum, the Centre Pompidou and the Whitney Museum, as well as in galleries, biennials, art fairs and public spaces. You can also discover original contemporary artworks online.
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