Varied artistic movements

Understanding Varied Artistic Movements

  • Artistic movements are periods of history during which a group of artists working under a common ideology or set of principles, creating a significant wave in the art world.
  • Movements are often named retrospectively by art critics or historians and are characterised by a particular style, subject matter, or approach to creating art.
  • An understanding of these movements can give insights into the artist’s intentions, and how these movements have influenced contemporary art.

Key Artistic Movements

Renaissance Art

  • Renaissance Art originated in Italy in the 15th century, marked by a heightened interest in humanism, naturalism, and individual expression.
  • Famous figures from this time include Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, and Raphael, whose works exhibited the ideal of balance and harmony.

Impressionism

  • Impressionism emerged in the 19th century France, artists involved were interested in capturing the transient effects of light and colour in their paintings.
  • Key artists such as Claude Monet, Camille Pissarro, and Edgar Degas use distinctive brush strokes and pay attention to depicting the visual impression of the moment.

Cubism

  • Cubism was developed by Pablo Picasso and Georges Braque in early 20th century.
  • It represents a radical departure from traditional art by denying perspective, and instead presenting an object from multiple angles at once.

Surrealism

  • Surrealism is an artistic movement that emerged in the 1920s and 1930s, characterized by dream-like scenarios and unexpected juxtapositions.
  • This movement, including artists such as Salvador Dali and Rene Magritte, draws heavily from psychoanalytic thought and explores the subconscious mind, dreams and reality.

Interpreting Art through Movements

  • When interpreting art, understanding the historical, social and cultural context of the artwork is crucial.
  • Identifying the artistic movement that the artwork belongs to can provide clues about the artist’s intentions, the techniques used, and the context in which the art was created.

Examining Impact of Artistic Movements

  • Art movements invariably feed into one another, meaning that artists respond to the climate they’re in, either aligning with or opposing prevailing trends.
  • The impact of an artistic movement can provide an understanding of its significance on the evolution of art, and its influences on later movements and artists.

Understanding and appreciating varied artistic movements not only aids in comprehending the progression of art history but also deepens the appreciation for individual artists and artworks. A firm grasp of these movements enhances one’s ability to critically analyse and contextualize fine art.