“Modern art” is a term that has been used since the early 20th century to describe work produced during the period extending roughly from the 1860s to 1970. The term is generally associated with art in which the traditions of the past have been thrown aside in a spirit of experimentation. Modern artists experimented with new ways of seeing and with fresh ideas about the nature of materials and functions of art. Theirs was a deliberate rebellion against accepted norms of taste and expression.
In general terms, modernism emerged after World War I as a response to academic art; it was also a rejection of earlier styles of painting that had been considered too static in their appearance.
Artists explored various media and techniques, from painting and sculpture to printmaking, photography, film, collage, performance art, and installation art. The term “modern” was not commonly used during the 19th century to describe art made in the present day; that would be “contemporary” or “modern-day.” Instead, it was more common to use terms such as “contemporary” or “modern day.”
During this period there were many movements that contributed to modernism including Symbolism, Fauvism, Cubism, Dadaism, and Surrealism. It became popular among artists, who felt that modernity allowed them greater freedom of expression than traditional styles allowed for.
