History of Modern Art: From 1860 to 1960
The history of modern art begins around 1860, when artists challenged academic conventions and turned towards modern life, new techniques and new ways of seeing. From Impressionism to abstraction, the period transformed color, perspective, composition and the role of the artist.
Modern art is generally associated with the period from around 1860 to 1960. Its history is a succession of movements rather than one unified style: Impressionism, Post-Impressionism, Fauvism, Expressionism, Cubism, Dada, Surrealism, abstraction and other experiments prepared the transition to contemporary art from the 1960s onward.
Definition of modern art
Modern art is the art of a historical period in which artists broke with academic rules and searched for new ways to represent the world. It is not one style, but a succession of movements that changed the roles of color, perspective, subject, materials and the artist.
Modern art versus academic art
Academic art valued established subjects, techniques, compositions and hierarchies. Modern artists challenged these standards by painting ordinary life, experimenting with color and perspective, and developing personal languages.
Modern art versus contemporary art
Modern art is broadly associated with the period from 1860 to 1960. Contemporary art begins around the 1960s and continues today. The distinction is historical, but contemporary art also extends the questioning of the artwork, its media, context and audience.
Read what modern art means and compare it with contemporary art.
Dates and chronology of modern art
The modern art period is commonly placed between around 1860 and 1960, although its exact boundaries vary by movement. Impressionism marks an important early break, while pop art, conceptual art and abstraction lead towards contemporary art.
Modern art begins with a challenge to academic painting and develops through increasingly radical experiments in color, shape, perspective and material.
The period is not a straight line. Movements overlap, react to one another and sometimes return to earlier ideas in transformed ways. The transition to contemporary art is therefore gradual rather than a single event.
Characteristics of modern art
The main characteristics of modern art are a refusal of academic realism, the importance of personal expression and experimentation with forms, techniques, color and perspective. Artists no longer follow one dominant standard of beauty or representation.
1. Refusal of academic realism
Modern artists move away from the obligation to imitate reality faithfully. They can simplify, distort, fragment or transform a subject to communicate an idea, sensation or point of view.
2. Primacy of expression
Color, gesture, line and composition become ways of expressing an inner experience. The artist’s personal vision can matter more than a neutral description of the visible world.
3. Experimentation with forms
Modern artists explore unusual viewpoints, fragmented space, collage, geometric structures, visible brushwork, new supports and non-traditional combinations of materials.
4. Attention to modern life
Urban spaces, leisure, transport, workers, advertising, entertainment and social change become legitimate artistic subjects. The artwork reflects the experience of a changing society.
The main modern art movements
The main modern art movements are Impressionism, Post-Impressionism, Fauvism, Expressionism, Cubism, geometric abstraction, Dada, Surrealism and abstract expressionism. Each movement challenged inherited rules in a different way.
Impressionism
Light, atmosphere and fleeting perception become the subjects of painting.
Explore Impressionist paintingsPost-Impressionism
Color, structure, symbolism and personal expression move beyond the immediate impression.
Expressionism
Distorted forms and strong colors communicate an inner state or intense emotion.
Read about ExpressionismCubism
Geometric planes and multiple viewpoints transform the representation of objects.
Read about CubismGeometric abstraction
Line, shape, rhythm and color become independent elements of composition.
Explore abstract paintingsDada
Chance, collage, absurdity and found objects challenge artistic institutions and conventions.
Surrealism
Dreams, the unconscious and unexpected combinations open a path beyond rational representation.
Explore Surrealist paintingsAbstract expressionism
Gesture, large formats and color fields make the act of painting central to the work.
Explore abstract worksExplore the detailed guide to modern art movements for additional artists, dates and examples.
Collections inspired by modern art
Modern-art inspired collections connect the history of Impressionism, Cubism, Fauvism, Surrealism and abstraction with contemporary artists working today. A tribute collection is not an original work by the historic master; it is a contemporary artist’s interpretation.
At Carré d’artistes, contemporary artists pay tribute to figures such as Monet, Van Gogh, Picasso, Matisse, Dali, Miro, Pollock and many others. Discover the tribute collections →
Modern art continues to inspire contemporary creation. Carré d’artistes represents 500 artists and was founded in 2001. Its fair-price policy is designed to reward artists fairly while keeping art accessible. Explore the available artworks →
Choose a modern-art inspired artwork
Impressionism, abstraction, Fauvism, Cubism or Surrealism? Discover original contemporary works inspired by the movements and colors that changed art history.
Choose a modern artworkFrequently asked questions about modern art history
The history of modern art covers a period of major experimentation from around 1860 to 1960. These answers address the dates, movements, artists and relationship with contemporary art.
What is modern art?
Modern art is the art of a period broadly associated with 1860 to 1960, when artists challenged academic rules and developed new ways to use color, form, perspective, subject and materials.
When does modern art begin and end?
Modern art is commonly placed from around 1860 to 1960, although exact boundaries vary by movement. Contemporary art developed from the 1960s onward.
What is the difference between modern and contemporary art?
Modern art broadly covers 1860 to 1960, while contemporary art begins around the 1960s and continues today. Contemporary art extends the questioning of the artwork, media, context and audience.
What are the best-known modern art movements?
The best-known movements include Impressionism, Post-Impressionism, Fauvism, Expressionism, Cubism, Dada, Surrealism, geometric abstraction and abstract expressionism.
Who are the most famous modern artists?
Famous modern artists include Monet, Van Gogh, Degas, Munch, Klimt, Picasso, Matisse, Dali, Miro, Pollock, Manet and Kandinsky. They represent different movements and countries.
Where can I see modern art?
Modern art can be seen in museums such as MoMA and the Guggenheim in New York, Tate Modern in London, the Musée d’Orsay in Paris and the Museo Reina Sofía in Madrid, as well as in galleries and collections worldwide.
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