🥁Intro to Art Unit 8 – Early 20th Century Art Movements

Key Art Movements

• Fauvism characterized by bold, expressive use of color and simplified forms (Henri Matisse, André Derain)
• Cubism revolutionized art by breaking objects into geometric shapes and depicting multiple perspectives simultaneously (Pablo Picasso, Georges Braque)
  • Analytical Cubism focused on breaking down forms into basic geometric shapes and muted color palettes (1907-1912)
  • Synthetic Cubism incorporated collage elements and brighter colors (1912-1914)
• Expressionism emphasized subjective emotions over objective reality through distorted forms and intense colors (Edvard Munch, Ernst Ludwig Kirchner)
• Futurism celebrated the speed, technology, and dynamism of the modern world (Umberto Boccioni, Giacomo Balla)
• Dada rejected traditional art forms and embraced absurdity, irrationality, and anti-art sentiments (Marcel Duchamp, Hannah Höch)
• Surrealism explored the subconscious mind, dreams, and automatism (Salvador Dalí, René Magritte)
  • Surrealists often employed techniques such as collage, frottage, and decalcomania to create unexpected juxtapositions and dream-like imagery
• Abstract Expressionism emphasized spontaneous, gestural brushwork and the expression of inner emotions (Jackson Pollock, Willem de Kooning)

Influential Artists

• Pablo Picasso co-founded Cubism and created iconic works like "Les Demoiselles d'Avignon" (1907) and "Guernica" (1937)
• Henri Matisse led the Fauvist movement with his vibrant colors and simplified forms in works like "The Dance" (1909-1910)
• Wassily Kandinsky pioneered abstract art with compositions like "Composition VIII" (1923) and "Several Circles" (1926)
• Marcel Duchamp challenged traditional notions of art with his readymades, such as "Fountain" (1917)
• Salvador Dalí became the most famous Surrealist artist with works like "The Persistence of Memory" (1931) and "Swans Reflecting Elephants" (1937)
• Piet Mondrian developed the geometric abstract style known as Neo-Plasticism, exemplified by works like "Composition with Red, Blue, and Yellow" (1930)
• Jackson Pollock revolutionized abstract art with his drip paintings, such as "Number 1, 1950 (Lavender Mist)" (1950)

Major Artworks

• "Les Demoiselles d'Avignon" (1907) by Pablo Picasso marked the beginning of Cubism with its fragmented forms and African-inspired masks
• "The Scream" (1893) by Edvard Munch became an iconic Expressionist work, conveying a sense of existential angst
• "Unique Forms of Continuity in Space" (1913) by Umberto Boccioni captured the Futurist fascination with motion and dynamism in sculpture
• "The Persistence of Memory" (1931) by Salvador Dalí featured melting clocks in a surreal, dream-like landscape
• "Broadway Boogie Woogie" (1942-1943) by Piet Mondrian exemplified the geometric abstraction of Neo-Plasticism
• "Number 1, 1950 (Lavender Mist)" (1950) by Jackson Pollock showcased his signature drip painting technique and the spontaneity of Abstract Expressionism
  • Pollock's drip paintings were created by placing the canvas on the floor and applying paint using various tools, such as sticks, trowels, and even syringes

Historical Context

• The early 20th century witnessed rapid industrialization, technological advancements, and urbanization
• World War I (1914-1918) profoundly impacted society and art, leading to disillusionment and a questioning of traditional values
• The Russian Revolution (1917) and the rise of Communism influenced artists' political and social views
• The Great Depression (1929-1939) and the rise of fascism in Europe affected artists' subject matter and themes
• World War II (1939-1945) and the Holocaust led to a renewed sense of existential crisis and the emergence of new art movements like Abstract Expressionism
• The post-war period saw the rise of consumerism, mass media, and popular culture, which influenced art production and reception

Artistic Techniques

• Fauvists used bold, non-naturalistic colors and simplified forms to create expressive and emotional works
• Cubists fragmented and flattened objects, depicting them from multiple viewpoints simultaneously
  • Cubist artists often incorporated collage elements, such as newspaper clippings or fabric, into their paintings
• Expressionists distorted forms and used intense colors to convey subjective emotions and inner turmoil
• Futurists employed techniques like repetition, fragmentation, and dynamic lines to capture the sense of movement and speed
• Dadaists used unconventional materials, readymades, and chance procedures to challenge traditional art-making practices
• Surrealists employed automatic drawing, frottage, and decalcomania to tap into the subconscious mind and create dream-like imagery
• Abstract Expressionists used spontaneous, gestural brushwork and emphasized the physical act of painting itself

Cultural Impact

• The early 20th-century art movements challenged traditional artistic conventions and paved the way for greater experimentation and innovation
• Cubism and abstract art revolutionized the way people perceived and represented reality in art
• Dada and Surrealism influenced literature, film, and popular culture, with their emphasis on absurdity, irrationality, and the subconscious
• Abstract Expressionism established New York as the new center of the art world in the post-war period
• The rise of avant-garde art movements coincided with broader cultural shifts, such as the women's suffrage movement and the Harlem Renaissance
• The art movements of this period laid the foundation for the development of postmodernism and contemporary art practices

Critical Reception

• Many early 20th-century art movements initially faced criticism and rejection from the public and traditional art institutions
  • The 1913 Armory Show in New York, which introduced European avant-garde art to American audiences, was met with both enthusiasm and outrage
• Critics often dismissed avant-garde art as incomprehensible, degenerate, or lacking in skill and craftsmanship
• As the art movements gained more exposure and influence, critical opinion began to shift, recognizing their innovation and cultural significance
• Influential art critics, such as Clement Greenberg and Harold Rosenberg, played a crucial role in championing and interpreting the new art movements
• The rise of art museums and galleries dedicated to modern and contemporary art helped to legitimize and promote avant-garde art

Legacy and Influence

• The early 20th-century art movements laid the groundwork for the development of abstraction, conceptual art, and postmodernism
• The emphasis on experimentation, innovation, and individual expression became central tenets of modern and contemporary art
• The use of unconventional materials and techniques, as pioneered by Dada and Surrealism, became widespread in later art practices
• The legacy of Cubism can be seen in the works of later artists, such as David Hockney and Jasper Johns
• The gestural abstraction of Abstract Expressionism influenced the development of movements like Color Field painting and Neo-Expressionism
• The art movements of this period continue to inspire and inform contemporary artists, who often reference or reinterpret their iconic works and ideas
• The cultural impact of these art movements extends beyond the art world, influencing fields such as design, fashion, and popular culture