10 Art Styles everyone should know

Why it is important to know about art styles?

Artist or art student:  It is obvious, an artist and art student should learn about different art styles. It will help you how the styles created, who created, and how they developed and got popular. Further, you can decide which art styles you interested in the most and become a master in it. You can also create a new art style yours.

Art Lovers: You need to know about art styles because when you buy an artwork: for your home, hotel, or office premises it is necessary to understand which styles of art suits your wall.

Here we have listed 10 art styles everyone should know

1. Abstract Expressionism

Abstract expressionism is the post-world war 2 art movement in American painting, developed in New York City in the 1940s. It was the first, specifically American movement to achieve influence and put New York City at the center of the western art world.

The term abstract expressionism first used in Germany in connection with Russian artist Wassily Kandinsky, 1919. But, later we came more commonly associated with post-world war-II American art.

Robert Coates is the first American to use this term in 1936. Harold Rosenberg and Greenberg, the art critics later popularized the term abstract expressionism. Harold Rosenberg termed the Jackson Pollock art style to be “Action Painting” and labeled that art movement as American Style.

The artists Jackson Pollock, Willem de Kooning, and Mark Rothko are considered as the backbone of Abstract Expressionism.

What is Abstract Expressionism?

It is characterized by large primarily abstract paintings all over compositions without focal points.  During the abstract art expressionism art movement, several artists started experimenting with shapes and colors directly on the canvas. The artists completely got away from what is called artistic and conventional painting methods. They used diverse styles and techniques, especially to emphasize an artist’s freedom to express emotions in nonrepresentational means.

There are three common abstract expressionist traits

• 1. Abstract expressionists did not like the considered unemotional work of geometric abstract paintings.
• 2. They believed in universal emotions such as outrage, sorrow, and joy.
• 3. They hoped to bring out these universal emotions by communicating them powerfully through art.

Well known Abstract expressionists and their artwork

i. Jackson Pollock (January 28 1912 – August 11 1956)

ii. Mark Rothko (September 25 1903 – February 25 1970)

iii. Clyfford Still (November 30 1904 – June 23 1980)

iv. Willem de Kooning (April 24 1904 – March 19 1997)

v. Arshile Gorky (1904 – July 21 1948)

2. Classicism Art Style

The term classicism art coined in the 17^th century. Classicism is an artistic philosophy in style modeled on Greek and Roman traditional culture. It describes the art and culture of Greek and Roman, especially their ancient civilizations. Following these principles in ancient civilizations in the art is termed as classicism.

Classicism was prevalent during the age of enlightenment from the mid 17^th to the mid 19^th century.

In this period of the art movement, artists portrayed especially Greek and Roman Gods and Goddesses. Moreover, the styles used are more traditional: Straight lines, Proportion, symmetry, and balance. Artists’ main aim was to capture the antique beauty with accurate details in their art.

Classicism art style Famous artists and their artwork

i. Claude Lorrain (c. 1600 – November 21, 1682)

ii. Nicolas Poussin (June 15 1594 – November 19, 1665)

iii. Jacques Stella (1596 – April 29, 1657)

3. Cubist Art Style

The cubist movement challenged age-old artistic styles and rejected conventional ideas. These artists wanted to vitalize arts. So that would be more in-lined with the modern age. They would go on to create the first abstract style in modern arts. The cubist movement reached its creative peak between 1907 and 1940. And it continues to influence artists to this day.

At the time of the 20^th century, artists found themselves on a fast page in the ever-changing modern world. Technological advances, political changes, and dramatic changes within social structures were all happened at this time. Photography was increasingly being used for portraiture. And, to document historical and everyday events. So, it was only natural for painters to turn to other themes.

The leading artists of the Cubist movement; Pablo Picasso and Georges Braque felt that a new art style was needed to connect with the modern audience and reflect the struggles of modern lives.

Inspired by post-impressionist Paul Cezanne, cubist artists deviated from the 3-dimensional perspective that has been the norm in arts since the renaissance. They instead painted two-dimensional figures. Cubist artists simplified natural forms into geometric shapes like spheres and of course cubes.

The movement got its name from a French critic; who upon viewing Braque’s landscape paintings, commented on the liberal use of cubes. Cubists had a new approach to painting time, volume, mass, and space. Instead of attempting to duplicate images, they attempted to distil the essence of their subject with abstract form. This invited viewers to contemplate not the beauty or the reality of the scene but the essence or feeling of the subject.

Cubism artists and their paintings

i. Georges Braque (1882 - 1963)

Pablo Picasso (1881 - 1973)

Patrick Henry Bruce (1881 – 1936)

4. Expressionism Art Style

The term expressionism became popularized and commonly used in Germany around 1910. To describe Avant-garde art of that time, before the First World War. Expressionist art creates the work of symbolic artists such as Edvard Munch, Paul Gauguin, and Ernst Ludwig Kirchner. The famous artist Vincent van Gogh used the term Post-Impressionist for his painting. Which is actually the form expressionism.

Artists associated with expressionism emerged centers across Germany and Austria. These artists called themselves “Die Brucke” or “The Bridge” seeing their art as the bridge enters the future.

Ernst Ludwing Kirchner was the key member of the Bridge. And co-founders are Frietz Bleyl, Erich heckle, and Karl Schidt Rottluff.

So, what is the Expressionism main concept?

Expressionism is an art style in which the artist seeks to express emotional experience rather than impressionism of the eternal world. And they achieved this by making rich artworks with thick brushstrokes, intensely deep colors, and violent use of formal elements.

The artists’ main aim was to create something new, exotic, and escaping from the tradition. They wanted to make such art that successfully communicate unique individual feelings and personal emotions of the artists to their audience.

Expressionism artists and their paintings

Ernst Ludwig Kirchner (May 16 1880 - June 15 1938)

5. The impressionism art style (Art Movement)

Impressionism was a new style and the first movement of modern art. This art style originated in France but its impact was fled throughout the world.

After Centuries of political Upheaval and instability in France, the mid 19th Century brought some positive changes.

Under Napoleon’s rule, a new fresh phased Paris emerged. Though it was still a turbulent time in France, many buildings in Paris were renovated. Dozens of parks were built. Entirely dramatic changes were taken place along with the world of art.

Salon exhibition that was held in Paris in the Louvre became the most renowned art event in the western art world in the 19th Century. At this time, many artists’ artworks repeatedly rejected by the French academy.

Reason for rejection of Impressionist paintings

1. Their subjects were non-conventional (Ex. People and landscapes)
2. They used visible brush strokes and Direct colors
3. Artists abandoned traditional and linear perspective. And often avoided the clarity of form.
4. The portrayal of movement in real life

Mainly because of these reasons, many art critics rejected impressionist paintings for their unfinished appearance and seemingly less quality.

Mainly because of these reasons, many art critics rejected impressionist paintings for their unfinished appearance and seemingly less quality.

Therefore impressionist artists could not display their artworks legally and sell them. This led to a situation where artists started struggling financially

Impressionists got tired of these things and eventually, they formed an “Impressionist” art group in 1874. And they named the group as “The anonymous society of Painters, Sculptures and Printmakers.

Main artists of this group are

1. Claude Monet (November 14, 1840 – December 5, 1926)
2. Edgar Degas (July 19, 1834 – September 27, 1917)
3. Alfred Sisley (October 30, 1839 – January 29, 1899)
4. Pierre Auguste Renoir
5. Paul Cezanne
6. Berthe Morisot

Firstly these Impressionists got a chance to exhibit their paintings in an artist (Nadar) studio. This art exhibition was a big disaster. Many artists were also beaten up for their simple sketchy works which are completely unfinished. In fact, a Parisian art critic Louis Leroy announced Claude Monet’s painting: “Impression, Sunrise” is worse and compared it with wallpaper.

But the best this about this exhibition is “The impressionists got publicity”. These artists independently displayed their artworks until 1894. But unfortunately, it did not last for long. Despite many hurdles, impressionists gave a new view to the painting and artistic world.

Impressionism artists and their paintings​

1. Alfred Sisley

2. Edgar Degas

3. Claude Monet

6. Neoclassicism

Neoclassical art emerged in the 1760s and was popular throughout Europe and North America until the 1850s. Breaking away from the emotionally charged broke style of previous years, Neo classical artists would look back to the classical style of art.

Sometimes neoclassical art can appear and called an emotional. But in fact, some other popular neoclassical themes were emotional subjects. Like Patriotism, Sacrifice and courage.

There are mainly 3 subjects and themes Neo classical artists emphasized in their works

1. Portraiture
2. History paintings
3. Focused on beauty and moral qualities

Themes

1. Patriotism
2. Honor
3. Human Rights

Artists mainly focused on symmetry, proportion and simplicity in their paintings. Neo classicism is known for its formal composition, accurate details and solid lines. It is also known for its classical and mythological themes with contemporary settings and costumes.

Greek and roman styles inspired imitation throughout the Neoclassical Period and they mainly focused on western classical art forms.

Neoclassical artists’ many aim was to rise and revive classical art style. To portray magnificence and calmness, they avoided light and colors.

Neoclassical artist and their Paintings

1. John Singleton Copley - (July 3, 1738; Boston - September 9, 1815; London)

2. Anton Raphael Mengs

7. Post-Impressionism

Post-impressionism is an art movement of the early 19th century, emerged around 1885. And held sway in the art world until around 1940.

The word “Post Impressionism” was coined by art critic Roger Fry. He conducted his first art exhibition in London. And he used the term post-impressionism to classify the paintings of 19th-century artists such as Vincent Van Gogh and Paul Cezanne.

Post-impressionist artists aim to make art in emotional experience through the use of symbolism, vibrant colors, and captivating forms.

Post-impressionism can be part of an exaggerated form of impressionism. Like impressionists, post-impressionists focused on what viewers might see.

Difference between Impressionism and Post Impressionism

1. Instead of focusing on just plain light and color in a naturalistic manner like impressionists, Post-Impressionists used more structure, form, expression, and symbolism as tools to convey meaning in their work.
2. Like impressionists, post-impressionists also used thick brushstrokes, direct colors, and of course the real-life subjects in their paintings. It is just to capture emotional depth in their art. But then, they used big dimensions, and also their artwork is more expressive compared to impressionists.

Post impressionists greatly influenced 20th-century modern art by their uniqueness. Indeed post-impressionism helped to create many new art concepts like cubism, Fauvism, etc.

Post Impressionism artists and their paintings

i. Paul Cezanne ( January 19, 1839 - October 22, 1906 )

ii. Roger Fry (December 14, 1866 - September 9, 1934)

iii. Vincent van Gogh (March 30, 1853 - July 29, 1890)

8. Realism

The Realism art movement began in France, in the 1850’s after the revolution of 1848. During the revolution, the French fought for democratic reform while realists pushed the idea of art created from everyday lives of the working class.

It was created to revolt against the themes of exaggerating emotions and drama during the romanticism movements that dominated French arts.

Techniques, training and avoidance of style are a large part of realism art. It is an accurate depiction of Life, Perspective, and the details of light and color. Artists painted their everyday lives and surroundings exactly as they saw them.

The French art critic Gustave Courbet used the term Realism for his paintings of 1840s.

Realism artists rejected the classical styles of traditional paintings. They started painting the reality they saw in from of them. The artists used Natural brush strokes and rough paint textures.

Realism Artists and their paintings

i. Gustave Courbet (June 10, 1819 - December 31, 1877)

ii. Theodore Rousseau (April 15, 1812; Paris - December 22, 1867)

iii. Alexey Venetsianov (February 18, 1780 - January 3, 1847)

9. Renaissance

The renaissance was time of rebirth, an expansion for religious interpretation, scientific discovery, and exploration of new lines and the flourishing of the arts. It was a period between the 14^th and 15^th Century.

They devalued the medieval era before it in favor of an era that draws inspiration from Greek and Roman traditions of antiquity.

The renaissance took place primarily in Italy but its innovations and ideas reached far. The medieval values that came before it increased obedience and faith in authority. The renaissance was a complete shift implies high value and personal responsibility.

The art drawing this time is known for its realistic scenery, linear perspective and its innovative light and dark shadowing.

The renaissance began as literary movement but it’s quickly picked up by the visual arts and sciences. This art style gave new depth to the artwork and also the realism in art.

Renaissance has 5 different renaissance art movements

1. Proto Renaissance Art Movement (1280 – 1400)

It is the beginning of renaissance, started in Northern Italy. In this period paintings were unrealistic but improved from past works of art.

Artists:

i. Giotto di Bondone (1266; Florence, Italy - January 8, 1337; Florence, Italy)

ii. Duccio di Buoninsegna (Born: c.1255; Siena, Italy - Died: c.1318; Siena, Italy)

2. Early Renaissance Art Movement (1400-1479)

At this time Art flourished in central Italy. Paintings of this period have influence of Rome and Greek cultures.

Artists:

i. Lorenzo Monaco (Born: 1370; Siena, Toscana, Italy - Died: 1425)

ii. Filippo Brunelleschi (Born: 1377; Florence, Italy - Died: April 15, 1446)

3. High Renaissance Art Movement (1475-1525)

This was revolutionized period of Renaissance. Art was well nurtured by talented masters of this time. High renaissance is considered as the best time for art with many talented artists.

Artists:

i. Gentile Bellini (Born: c.1429; Venice, Italy - Died: February 23, 1507; Venice, Italy)

ii. Giovanni Bellini (Born: c.1430; Venice, Italy - Died: 1516; Venice, Italy )

4. Mannerism (Late Renaissance) Art Movement (1520 – 1580)

It is the European Art style.

Artists:

i. Palma Vecchio (Born: c.1480; Bergamo, Italy - Died: July 30, 1528; Venice, Italy)

ii. Sebastiano del Piombo (Born: c.1485; Venice, Italy - Died: June 21, 1547; Rome, Italy)

5. Northern Renaissance

This occurred in North Europe before 1497.

Artists:

i. Robert Campin (Born: c.1375; Valenciennes, France - Died: April 26, 1444; Tournai, Belgium)

ii. Jan van Eyck (Born: c.1395; Maaseik, Netherlands - Died: 1441; Bruges, Netherlands)

10. Romanticism

Romanticism was an international art movement that flourished in the late 18th to early 19th century. It fundamentally redefined how people in western cultures thought about themselves and bout their world.  The dramatic nature of all works belonging to the romanticism era can be explained by the fact that this period followed the age of revolution.  Romanticism was born in the wake of the American Revolution in 1776 and the French revolution in 1789.

Between 1800 and 1860 romanticism was at its peak. The political, economic, and social upheaval was the norm. And these themes carried over into the world of art. The existing styles and message of expression would come to change dramatically. The revolutionary energy that fueled romanticism was one important reason these artists believed in expressing and tells with intensity. In addition to emphasizing the passion of the individual, romantic art also depicted nature powerfully. The destructive power of nature was a common theme in paintings and drawings created in this era.

Romanticism doesn’t have much to do with love and romance. It is all about passion. Romanticists express their passion, their strong beliefs, and their feelings to the audience through their art. This intense personal expression could adapt itself to any theme. In fact, romanticism was not limited to the visual arts. But influenced music and literature as well.

Artists express their deepest beliefs through art.  

Romanticism artists and their paintings

i. Caspar David Friedrich - (September 5, 1774 - May 7, 1840)

ii. George Stubbs - (August 25, 1724 - July 10, 1806)

iii. Louis-Philippe Crépin – ((1772; Paris, France - November 26, 1851)