Art History: Modernism in the 19th Century

UNIT 7: ART HISTORY/MOVEMENT

MODERNISM IN THE 19TH CENTURY

Lesson 3.1: Overview
  • Topics Covered:
      - Impressionism
      - Post-Impressionism
      - Pointillism
Learning Outcomes

At the end of the lesson, students should be able to:

  1. Explain Modernism in the 19th century
  2. Identify Impressionism, Post-Impressionism, and Pointillism
  3. Describe their characteristics
  4. Recognize famous artists and artworks
  5. Compare the three movements

What is Modernism?

Definition of Modernism

  • A philosophical and cultural movement emerging in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
  • Originated due to major societal changes such as:
      - Industrialization
      - Urbanization
      - World War I

Core Beliefs of Modernism

  • Based on a belief in progress and a better future.
  • Aims to understand reality through universal truths derived from science and religion.
  • Influenced various domains, including:
      - Art
      - Architecture
      - Literature
      - Daily life

Artistic Focus of Modernism

  • Promoted the notion to "make it new" by rejecting traditional styles.
  • Influenced numerous art movements including:
      - Surrealism
      - Cubism
      - Dada
      - Bauhaus
      - Expressionism

Example of Modernism in Art

  • Les Desmoiselles D'Avignon by Pablo Picasso, 1907:
      - A significant example of modernist painting.

Art Movements Under Modernism

Impressionism

  • An art movement that originated in 1860s France.
  • Considered one of the most important developments in modern painting.

Origin of the Name

  • Derived from Claude Monet’s painting Impression, Sunrise (1872).

Characteristics of Impressionism

  • Aimed to depict the transience of light and modern life.
  • Emphasized visual effects over fine details:
      - Used short, broken brushstrokes and mixed/unmixed color for vibrant effects.
      - Focused on scenes of everyday life and nature.
  • Often painted outdoors (en plein air) with spontaneity and immediacy.
  • Rejected academic traditions, laying groundwork for avant-garde and modern art.
Impressionist Painting Defined
  • Emerged as a break from the strict traditions of the Académie des Beaux-Arts.
  • Prioritized everyday life, landscapes, and modern scenes over historical subjects.
  • Characteristics include:
      - Lighter, brighter style emphasizing color and perception over realism.
Techniques Used by Impressionist Artists
  • Brushstrokes:
      - Short, thick strokes to capture essence quickly.
  • Color Application:
      - Broken color technique with colors placed side by side.
  • Surface Quality:
      - Opaque surfaces, avoiding thin glazes.
  • Focus on Light:
      - Depicts effects of sunlight, fog, shadows, etc.
  • Snapshot Quality:
      - Creates the illusion of a moment caught by chance.
  • Innovative Compositions:
      - Unusual angles inspired by photography.
Notable Works and Artists
  • Impression, Sunrise by Claude Monet, 1872.
      - A defining Impressionist artwork.
  • Grand Canal Venice (1840-1926) by Claude Monet.
  • Le Moulin de la Galette (1876) by Auguste Renoir.
  • Red Roofs, Corner of a Village, Winter (1877) by Camille Pissarro.
  • Child Among the Hollyhocks (1881) by Berthe Morisot.

Post-Impressionism

  • A predominantly French movement developing between 1886 and 1905.
  • Emerged as a reaction against Impressionism, focusing on naturalistic light/color depiction.
Influences and Characteristics
  • Continued use of vivid colors and real-life subjects.
  • Emphasized:
      - Geometric forms
      - Distortion of forms for expressiveness
      - Use of unnatural, seemingly random colors
  • Post-Impressionists extended Impressionism while rejecting its limitations.

Pointillism

  • A painting technique involving small, distinct dots of color.
  • Developed primarily by Neo-impressionists like Georges Seurat and Paul Signac.
  • Originally termed "Divisionism" to explain their color theories based on separation.
Historical Context
  • Emerged during the Belle Epoque in Paris, overlapping with Impressionism.
  • Georges Seurat's Sunday on the Island of La Grande Jatte is a celebrated work of Pointillism.
Notable Pointillist Artists
  • Georges Seurat:
      - His works exemplify Pointillist techniques.
      - A Sunday on La Grande Jatte (1884).
  • Paul Signac:
      - Co-developed Pointillism with Seurat.
      - Known for small dots of color application.
  • Notable works include The Portrait of Félix Fénéon (1886) and Capo Di Noli (1898).
Differences Between Pointillism and Divisionism
  • Pointillism:
      - Uses tiny, precise dots to create images (stippling).
  • Divisionism:
      - Broader technique focusing on varied strokes to maximize color intensity; employs larger brushstrokes.
  • Techniques are distinct but interrelated in their contribution to art.
Summary of Pointillism Technique
  • Historical art movement and technique where small dots create an image, interacting optically rather than by physical mixing on the palette.
  • Divisionism, a Neo-Impressionist technique, separates colors into distinct patches for visual effects.
Conclusion
  • Modernism shaped various art movements, with Impressionism and Post-Impressionism emerging as key developments in the 19th century, evolving artistic techniques and perceptions in dramatic ways.

Thank You

  • Thank you for your attention!