AHT1101 Week 4 Notes Summary PDF

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AHT1101 Week 4 – Modernism Paintings Pre-Tutorial Exercises: - The 19th Century (1800 – 1900) was the time of modernisation. - Impressionism was the first artistic movement of the 19 th century which involves: o Relatively small, thin yet visible brush strokes. o Open composition. o Emphasis on accurate depiction of light in its changing quality. o Ordinary subject matter. o Inclusion of ‘movement’ as a crucial element of human perception and experience. o

Unusual visual angles.

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Early within the 19 th century, Europeans had more contact with the Middle East and North Africa. Hence, the western artists started depicting subjects from the regions which came to be known as ‘Orientalism’. However, the depiction of ‘oriental’ subjects and scenes were inaccurate and often portrayed fantasy rather than actual depiction. This often led to racial and cultural superiority and revealing gender inequality.

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During the late 19 th century, many early modernists became fascinated by Japanese art and culture, most notably by woodblock prints known as ukiyo-e, or 'floating world' pictures. These simplified and colourful images had influenced the Western practices and techniques, therefore Japanese culture could be seen throughout Western artworks.

Lectures: Modern Art: - The story of 19 th century art is one of turning away from the past and towards the present. - This meant changing both the style of art and its subjects — making them modern rather than antique. This change occurred because Western societies were evolving very quickly and the idea that greatness lay in the past and not the present was becoming less and less plausible. -

Industrial Revolution: This started in Great Britain in the late 18 th century. With life moving faster, knowledge and new technology began being produced more rapidly. French Revolution: Which occurred between 1789–1799. Introduction of the idea of democracy (Democracy is a form of government in which the people have the authority to choose their governing legislators.) as a social ideal.

The ‘Twins Revolutions’ (Industrial and French) strengthen humanist (See Week 2 Notes) belief in progress – the idea that current lives could be better than they had in the past. French Revolution: The main ideas includes: - Liberté [Freedom] - Egalité [Equality]

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Fraternité [Brotherhood/Mutual Support]

Modernity and Modernism: - Modernity: The period in Western history following the twin revolutions of the late 18th century. Focused on democracy, science, industry, capitalism & political rise of the ‘bourgeoisie [middle class]. - Modernism: Art from the modern period that responds to the conditions of modern life by making art modern as well. Which begins in the mid-19th century with the rise of Realism and the decline of classical painting. Classicism to Modernism: - Neoclassicism (1780 – 1810): Still emulating antiquity. - Romanticism (1800 – 1840): Treating recent history as if it were as important as Roman or Greek history. Painting in a loose, faster and freer way, as well as expressing imagination and emotions. - Realism (1840 – 1870): Painting in a way that isn’t idealising (i.e., not lying about how things really are; not escaping from modern life into history or mythology), but more accurate and detailed. o Painting a real prostitute instead of pretending to paint a goddess as an excuse to look at a naked woman. - Impressionism (1860 – 1880): [First art movement with female members] Painting scenes from contemporary life in Paris, without expressing any kind of opinion about them (i.e., no stories or messages as in classical painting). o Impressionism is a kind of Realism but focusses on capturing the fleeting ‘impressions’ of perception, especially the effects of light. o Focussing on scenes of bourgeois recreation, whether in Paris or in the countryside. Form: Physical and Materials

Content: Expresses and Shows

Classical

Early Modernist

Classical

Early Modernist

Emphasis on line and clarity.

Break up on form and less emphasis on outlines. Flatter use of colour and less shading so that space now looks shallower. Visible brushwork.

Antique subjects from myth and history.

Contemporary and recent subjects.

Narrative and storytelling with a moral and elevating purpose.

No story, but sometimes a criticism of society and classical art.

Use of perceptive shading to create deep, naturalistic space. No evidence of brushwork. Idealisation of anatomy.

No idealisation.

Neo-classicism 1780s – 1810s Emulating antiquity.

Borrowing from the Renaissance.

Invisible brushstrokes.

Statuesque figures.

Classical Romanticism Realism 1800s – 1840s 1840s - 1870 Treating recent history Depicting harsh reality as if it were as of ordinary people important as Roman with social critique. or Greek history. Painting in a looser, Middle and lower faster, freer way. classes of society, struggling with manual labour. Focus on nature, Depressing, bleak especially sky. colours.

Dramatic scenes.

Modernist Impressionism 1870s – 1900s Choppy brushwork.

No clear outlines and details.

Mostly depicted outdoors (rivers, seascapes and railroads). Sometimes indoors but focus on entertainment of the bourgeoisie....