Do you know these famous modern artists?
Many are the major artists in modern art, a period that begins at the end of the 19th century.
In France, Claude Monet, Pablo Picasso, Vincent Van Gogh took part in the most important artistic movements.
Elsewhere, Edvard Munch or Gustav Klimt marked the history of painting.
Their works, sometimes unknown in their time, now adorn the greatest museums in the world.
These artists founded essential movements such as Impressionism, Expressionism, Cubism and many other equally innovative ones.
Before choosing a artwork of modern art, discover our selection of famous modern artists, essential in the history of art
Summary
- Claude Monet, the leader of impressionism
- Vincent Van Gogh, a major artist of the 19th century
- Edgar Degas, the artist of modern life
- Gustave Caillebotte, the painter of Haussmannian Paris
- Edvard Munch, the painter of painful emotions
- Gustav Klimt and his works in golden colors
- Pablo Picasso, the artistic genius
- Frida Khalo, the woman painter who became an icon
- Henri Matisse, the painter of color
- Georgia O’Keeffe, the "Mother of American Modernism"
Claude Monet, the leader of impressionism
French painter, Claude Monet is one of the modern artists known the world over, notably for his series of works Les Nymphéas.
Founder of Impressionism, he endeavors to paint his paintings in the open air, seeking to capture the moment, the fleeting moments of life visible by his changes of light. By using touches of color, Claude Monet produces paintings illustrating instantaneity.
His painting Impression, soleil levant represents a view taken in the morning of an industrial port in Le Havre and breathed the name of Impressionism.
Vincent Van Gogh, a major artist of the 19th century
It was by joining his brother Théo in Paris that Vincent Van Gogh discovered Impressionism.
Inspired by his painter friends, he experimented with new pictorial techniques.
He uses flamboyant touches of color to paint in an expressive manner.
His works entitled Iris, The Sunflowers, Starry Night, The Church of Auvers-sur-Oise or Terrasse du café le soir are among the most famous paintings around the world.
Edgar Degas, the artist of modern life
Renowned for his paintings and sculptures of dancers, Edgar Degas also represents horse races and portraits of his contemporaries.
He painted modern life in Paris with, in particular, its cafes and showed the various trades of his time such as the work of women laundresses.
Unlike the painters of Impressionism, a movement to which he belongs, Edgar Degas illustrates interior scenes rather than those captured in the open air.
Gustave Caillebotte, the painter of Haussmannian Paris
Discovered by Claude Monet, Gustave Caillebotte painted numerous works depicting scenes from modern life.
His painting Les Raboteurs de parquet, produced in the 1875s, shows workers at work.
Collector and patron, he becomes the financial support of Impressionism artists and helps to exhibit the painters of the outdoor school in French and American museums.
Edvard Munch, the painter of painful emotions
An artist considered to be one of the pioneers of expressionism, the Norwegian Edvard Munch illustrates through images the most trying emotions.
His famous painting entitled The Scream represents a man with an almost mummified head holding his ears.
The discomfort is reflected in this work which is the most representative of his work, a symbol of anguish and fear.
Gustav Klimt and his works in golden colors
Love, feminine beauty and aging are among the favorite themes of Austrian painter Gustav Klimt. Its artistic style, close to Art Nouveau, is particularly noticeable by the profusion of decorative motifs.
He covers most of his paintings with gold leaf to make them shine. His work entitled Le Baiser is a fine example.
His paintings are now a great success on the art market.
The Portrait of Adèle Bloch-Bauer went on sale in 2006 for a previously unrealized price of $ 135 million.
Pablo Picasso, the artistic genius
Pablo Picasso, the artistic genius
Painter, sculptor, designer and ceramist, Pablo Picasso masters all techniques and constantly innovates in his artistic style.
Influential artist of the twentieth century, he belongs to several movements in the history of the arts, both figurative and tending towards the abstract.
The Demoiselles d'Avignon and Guernica are the most famous of his paintings, both having caused scandals, even in French artistic circles.
Frida Khalo, the woman painter who became an icon
Weakened by a tram accident, Frida Khalo leads a tumultuous life marked by physical and psychological suffering.
His pain is expressed in his many self-portraits. A committed artist, she is an activist in the Communist Party and fights ardently for women's rights. The sources of inspiration visible in the detail of his paintings come from his Mexican culture and popular art.
Henri Matisse, the painter of color
Contemporary of the painters Albert Marquet, André Vlaminck and André Derain, Henri Matisse is at the origin of Fauvism.
One of the main characteristics of this movement is the use of bright colors in the works.
The artist will continue this research on color throughout his life.
Georgia O’Keeffe, the "Mother of American Modernism"
Artist Georgia O’Keeffe studied in Chicago and New York City, where she was inspired by the city's architecture.
She develops the art of close-up in painting and works on the detail of flowers and plants to create an image bordering on abstract art.
In painting, she stands out for her singular, organic and sensual style, and the use of her bold and intense colors.
Her work places her among the famous modern artists of the 20th century.
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