Modernism narrated

Chapter 1: Introduction

Americans were introduced to modernism in 1913 through an exhibition in New York showcasing European paintings and sculptures.
- Avant-garde painters like Van Gogh, Manet, Cezanne, and Seurat had already broken with tradition with their styles.
Modernist artists reacted against romanticism's emphasis on nature, progress, and emotions.
Dissatisfied with conventional art, young artists turned to older traditions and experimented with new forms in various art forms.

Jazz and modernist art spread globally in the early 20th century.
Technological advancements like telephones, automobiles, and moving pictures influenced art and culture.
The 20th century brought both progress and challenges, revealing the disconnect between technology and morality.

World War 1 introduced chemical and biological warfare, leading artists to depict a shattered and uncertain reality.
Paris, along with other cities, became hubs of modernist creativity.
Writers like Gertrude Stein and James Joyce drew inspiration from psychology and new concepts of the mind and universe.

The mechanized world left many feeling alienated and uncertain about the future.
Modernists questioned European culture, history, and technological salvation.
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