Art, unlike many other things, does not stay the same for too long. Many times throughout history, artists have tried new ways of creating, broken rules, and reacted to the world around them. This led to the creation of artistic movements. An artistic movement is a group of artists who share a certain philosophy, style, or influence.
When we study artistic movements, we can understand how art changed over time, and why it changed. Every artistic movement gives us insight into its period, because each was influenced by the society in which it was created. Here are several important things to know about artistic movements.
What Is an Artistic Movement?
An artistic movement is not just a group of artists whose work looks similar. Instead, an artistic movement is a group of artists who have a similar way of thinking, creating, or reacting to the world around them. Artists in an artistic movement might be interested in the same subjects, use the same or similar techniques, or deal with the same topics. Of course, no two artists have the same style, but if they are part of an artistic movement, they share certain similarities. When we learn about artistic movements, it helps us place individual artists or pieces of art into a bigger picture.
Art Reflects the Society It Was Created In
Art has always changed based on the society around it. Wars, political upheaval, science, technology, and cultural exchange all affect how people create art, and how they think about art. Sometimes, during periods of peace and stability, artists will create more conservative or balanced work. Other times, during periods of great social change, artists will create more emotional, experimental, or symbolic work. When we understand how art is influenced by the society in which it is created, we can better understand why art changes over time, and why we do not see the same style being used forever.
Each Artistic Movement Has Its Own Style
Every artistic movement has a certain visual style that makes it distinct from other styles. Some artistic movements are very realistic and detailed, while others are abstract and emotional. Artists in a movement might focus on color, light, perspective, composition, or other elements of art. Artists also may create art using certain materials or techniques that were not traditionally used in art. By learning the visual characteristics of an artistic movement, we can recognize a painting or sculpture by its style alone. Students can recognize a period of art without knowing the name of the artist or the title of the piece!
Many Artistic Movements Were Initially Considered Radicals or Unconventional
Many artistic movements that are now considered “classics” were once considered to be radical or unconventional. Artists who broke rules, challenged traditions, and made new ideas were not always welcomed by the public. Artists who did new things were often seen as weird, difficult to understand, or just plain crazy. This has always been a large part of the artistic process: artists must be willing to experiment, try new things, and sometimes fail. Through experimentation, artists find new ways of seeing and expressing themselves. Each new technique, material, or idea opens up new possibilities for creativity and inspires future generations of artists. When we study the innovations of artists, we can see how they developed through experimentation and curiosity.
Artists Are Influenced by Their Peers and Predecessors
Art history is not just a series of separate artistic movements. Artists are often inspired by the art of their predecessors, but they also influence each other with new techniques and ideas. For example, a painter might borrow some composition techniques from classical art, but use them to create a modern painting with modern colors. A sculptor might use traditional carving techniques, but apply them to contemporary materials. By learning about these connections, students can see how art evolves and how artists build on each other’s ideas over time.
Artistic Movements Are Still Relevant Today
Though many of the most famous artistic movements took place centuries ago, they still have an impact on our lives today. Contemporary artists and designers are still influenced by old styles. We can see the impact of artistic movements in modern-day architecture, fashion, graphic design, film, video games, and many other areas. By learning about artistic movements, we can see how past artists influenced present-day artists, and we can learn to recognize the legacy of art from many eras. This gives us a better understanding of the art and design we encounter every day.
We Can Learn to Think Like Art Historians
By studying artistic movements, we learn how to look at art critically. When we visit a museum or gallery, we should pay attention to the style of each piece. By identifying similar pieces, we can begin to understand what makes one movement different from another. When we learn to identify the common traits of an artistic movement, we begin to understand the bigger picture. As we learn more about art history, we can see how art is connected to history and society, and we can start to appreciate art in new ways. The more we learn, the more interesting art becomes!
Summary
Artistic movements are an exciting way to explore the world of art. By understanding artistic movements, we can see how artists have reacted to their environment, how they challenged convention, and how they changed the world of visual expression. When we study artistic movements with curiosity and an open mind, we gain a deeper understanding of art and its place in history. By looking at art in this way, we can see that art is not just a subject of study, it is a way of looking at the world, a way of expressing ourselves, and a way of connecting with others. Every artistic movement is a new chapter in the long and fascinating story of art!