Abstract art can take many unique forms. As an artistic genre, abstract art has been prominent since as far back as the beginning of the 20th Century. The most general definition of abstract art is art which bears little or no literal resemblence to the form or concept that it is trying to depict. However, this is a rather simplistic definition for a type of art that is so complex and unique.
The term abstract is used more to explain a certain style of art rather than an artistic movement, since several periods have actually seen abstract styles being executed in painting and sculpture. The end result of this style truly became apparent in the works of the abstract expressionists during the mid 20th century.
During the 19th century, we saw the rise of expressionism. Expressionist painters such as Munch and Van Gogh experimented with abstraction to portray vibrant, non-representational forms. Other creative movements such a cubism, favism and impressionism were to follow with works that pushed the borders of non-representational expression.
The early 20th century artist Piet Mondrian was perhaps the high priest of complete abstraction or modernism with his paintings which consisted of geometric forms meant to depict abstract concepts or feelings. For example, Mondrian's series of Jazz Paintings were painted to be visual representations of popular music.
Taking all these influences into account, it was the the fushion of popular music, psychology and post-war national politics which eventually inspired the works of the gestural painters in the 1950's to 60's. Among the most popular of these painters are Kline, Pollock and the slightly more figurative painter, DeKooning.
Artists of this period use abstract art to create large and expressive canvases. This was a really influential period in terms of abstract art as the audience became accustomed to interpreting non-representational paintings in terms of paint, light and color. Abstract art arguably forms the basis of contemporary art and it is here to stay.
The term abstract is used more to explain a certain style of art rather than an artistic movement, since several periods have actually seen abstract styles being executed in painting and sculpture. The end result of this style truly became apparent in the works of the abstract expressionists during the mid 20th century.
During the 19th century, we saw the rise of expressionism. Expressionist painters such as Munch and Van Gogh experimented with abstraction to portray vibrant, non-representational forms. Other creative movements such a cubism, favism and impressionism were to follow with works that pushed the borders of non-representational expression.
The early 20th century artist Piet Mondrian was perhaps the high priest of complete abstraction or modernism with his paintings which consisted of geometric forms meant to depict abstract concepts or feelings. For example, Mondrian's series of Jazz Paintings were painted to be visual representations of popular music.
Taking all these influences into account, it was the the fushion of popular music, psychology and post-war national politics which eventually inspired the works of the gestural painters in the 1950's to 60's. Among the most popular of these painters are Kline, Pollock and the slightly more figurative painter, DeKooning.
Artists of this period use abstract art to create large and expressive canvases. This was a really influential period in terms of abstract art as the audience became accustomed to interpreting non-representational paintings in terms of paint, light and color. Abstract art arguably forms the basis of contemporary art and it is here to stay.
