Exploring Key Artists, Characteristics, and Masterpieces in Modern Art Movements

Exploring Key Artists, Characteristics, and Masterpieces

For 11th Grade Art Students

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• Impressionism
• Post-Impressionism
• Expressionism
• Cubism
• Abstract Expressionism
• Key Takeaways

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1

Impressionism

19th-century movement focusing on light and everyday moments (1870s-1880s)

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• Definition (in my words): Artists captured quick impressions of light and color in daily life, using loose brushstrokes instead of perfect details.
• Key traits: Visible brush strokes, open composition, changing light effects, ordinary subjects, unusual angles, movement.
• Time/Context: Paris 1870s-1880s, reaction against rigid academy art; named after Monet's 'Impression, Sunrise' mocked by critics.

• Full name: Oscar-Claude Monet (1840-1926), French.
• Influences: Japanese prints, plein air painting.
• Techniques/Materials: Oil on canvas, short brushstrokes, painting outdoors.
• Interesting fact: Founded Impressionism; painted 250+ Water Lilies.

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• 1872 oil painting of Le Havre harbor at dawn.
• Brief desc: Misty port with orange sun reflecting on water, loose strokes capture fleeting light.
• Impact: Gave the movement its name after satirical review.

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2

Post-Impressionism

Extended Impressionism with emotion and structure (1886-1905)

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• Definition (in my words): Built on Impressionism but added personal feelings, bold colors, and geometric shapes for deeper meaning.
• Key traits: Vivid colors, impasto paint, distorted forms, symbolic content; groups like Les Nabis, Symbolism.
• Time/Context: France late 1880s-1905, reaction to Impressionism's limits; term by Roger Fry in 1910.

• Full name: Vincent Willem van Gogh (1853-1890), Dutch.
• Influences: Japanese ukiyo-e, Paul Gauguin.
• Techniques/Materials: Thick impasto oils, swirling brushstrokes.
• Interesting fact: Painted 2,100+ artworks in 10 years; cut off his ear.

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• 1889 oil on canvas of swirling night sky over village.
• Brief desc: Emotional turbulence with bright stars and cypress tree.
• Impact: Posthumously famous symbol of his inner turmoil.

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3

Expressionism

Early 20th-century emotional distortion (pre-WWI)

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• Definition (in my words): Artists twisted reality to show raw feelings like fear or angst, ignoring real looks for emotion.
• Key traits: Subjective views, distorted shapes/colors, evokes moods over reality.
• Time/Context: Northern Europe ~1905-1920s, Weimar Republic; reaction to Naturalism/Impressionism; popular in Berlin.

• Full name: Edvard Munch (1863-1944), Norwegian.
• Influences: Post-Impressionism, personal trauma.
• Techniques/Materials: Woodcuts, oils with bold lines.
• Interesting fact: 'The Scream' inspired modern horror icons.

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• 1893 tempera and crayon on cardboard.
• Brief desc: Figure on bridge with swirling sky, hands on face in agony.
• Impact: Icon of human anxiety.

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4

Cubism

Early 20th-century multi-perspective revolution (1907-1920s)

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• Definition (in my words): Broke objects into geometric pieces shown from multiple angles at once, like puzzles.
• Key traits: Abstract forms, multiple viewpoints, faceted shapes; introduced collage.
• Time/Context: Paris 1907-1920s, pioneered by Picasso/Braque; influenced by Cézanne; sparked Futurism/Dada.

• Full name: Pablo Ruiz Picasso (1881-1973), Spanish.
• Influences: African art, Cézanne.
• Techniques/Materials: Oil, charcoal, collage on canvas.
• Interesting fact: Co-invented Cubism; produced 50,000+ works.

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• 1907 oil on canvas of five nude women.
• Brief desc: Angular faces/bodies inspired by African masks.
• Impact: Proto-Cubism landmark.

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5

Abstract Expressionism

Post-WWII American freedom in paint (1940s-1950s)

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• Definition (in my words): Pure emotion poured onto canvas without recognizable subjects, big bold strokes or drips.
• Key traits: Spontaneous, subconscious; action painting, color fields.
• Time/Context: New York post-WWII 1940s-1950s; shifted art center from Paris; influenced by Surrealism.

• Full name: Paul Jackson Pollock (1912-1956), American.
• Influences: Surrealism, Picasso, Native American sand painting.
• Techniques/Materials: Drip technique, house paint on large canvases laid on floor.
• Interesting fact: 'Jack the Dripper'; died in car crash at 44.

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Art movements evolve, reflecting emotions, society, and innovation. From light impressions to emotional abstraction.

Thanks for exploring! Questions?

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