Modern Art

Modern Art is broad term used to describe most of the artistic production from the late 19th century until approximately the 1970s.The core idea behind modern art is to not represent objects as they are seen but to interpret them with fresh ideas about the nature, materials and functions of art. Abstract Paintings in that sense is the best possible example of Modern Art.

Modern Art Down the Ages

Impressionism- it can be defined as a 19th century art movement that began as a loose association of Paris-based painters who began publicly exhibiting their art in the 1860s. Impressionist Paintings were charcterized by visible brushstrokes, light colors, open composition, emphasis on light in its changing qualities (giving the impression of the passage of time), subject matters which werent out of the ordinary and innovative angles.This style of painting influenced a galaxy of painters, most famous of whom was Vincent Van Gogh.

Cubism- it was an avant-garde art movement of the early 20th century that revolutionized European painting and sculpture, and inspired similar movements in music and literature. In cubist artworks, objects are broken up, analyzed, and re-assembled in an abstracted form -instead of depicting objects from one viewpoint, the artist depicts the subject from a multitude of viewpoints to present the piece in a greater context. Often the surfaces intersect at what seems like random angles presenting no coherent sense of depth.Paintings of Picasso are probably the best specimens of Cubism .

Fauvism- it was a movement, which believed absolutely in color as an emotional force. The Fauvists translated their feelings into color with a rough, almost clumsy style. Fauvists paintings were chaharcterised by simplified lines, an attempt was made to make the subject of the painting easy to read.The perspectives were almost always exaggerated. Fauvist Painters emphasized freshness and spontaneity over finish

Minimalism- it is an art form, where the work is stripped down to its most fundamental features and core self expression. A minimalist painting generally uses a limited number of colors and has a simple geometric design. No attempt is made to represent or symbolize any other object or experience.

Minimalism as an art form rejects the need for social comment, self-expression, narrative, or any other allusion to history, politics, or religion. It is based on creating objects of interest and beauty.

Pop Art- it was an art movement of the 50s.Pop Art very much like pop music, was an attempt to employ images of popular as opposed to elitist culture in art, emphasizing the banal or kitschy elements of any given culture. It tried to play upon those images which were ingrained in the psyche of the people.

Modern Art in India

Modern Art in India can trace its roots to pre independence India when western influences started to make an impact on Indian art. A number of Indian Painters drew inspiration from the Western schools and used western principles and technique in their paintings. Raja Ravi Varma is a perfect example of such painters.

Some painters like Jamini Roy made a conscious effort to keep his paintings, in both form and technique, as rooted as possible.