MEPX
Chapter 5 of 10All chapters
  1. 1How to look
  2. 2Ancient and classical
  3. 3Medieval
  4. 4Renaissance and Baroque
  5. 5Towards modern art
  6. 6Modern art
  7. 7Modern architecture
  8. 8Traditions beyond the western canon
  9. 9Buildings and cities
  10. 10Art now

Chapter 5 of 10

Towards modern art

1800 to 1900.

Romanticism to Realism

Feeling and the sublime displaced classical restraint, then Realists insisted on ordinary labour and unidealised subjects.

  • Photography took over documentary accuracy from painting.
  • Paint in tubes made working outdoors practical.

Impressionism and after

Loose brushwork and momentary light broke academic finish. Post-Impressionists such as Cezanne, Van Gogh and Gauguin pushed towards structure, colour and expression.