Modernisms 1900–1980

Two world wars, sweeping technological change, and the undoing of traditional academic art.

1900–1980 C.E.

Beginner's guide and key concepts

The 20th century saw radical shifts in the way art was made—and it kept on shifting.

Movements in art 1900–1980

Fauvism and Expressionism

Fauvism and Expressionism

Cubism and early abstraction

Cubism and early abstraction

Dada and Surrealism

Dada and Surrealism

German and Italian art between the wars

German and Italian art between the wars

Latin American modernism

Latin American modernism

American art to World War II

American art to World War II

Postwar American art

Postwar American art

Postwar European art

Postwar European art

Pop Art

Pop Art

Conceptual and Performance art

Conceptual and Performance art

Minimalism and Earthworks

Minimalism and Earthworks

Post-Minimalism

Post-Minimalism

Colonial and postcolonial modernisms

Colonial and postcolonial modernisms

Postwar Asia

Postwar Asia

Architecture and design

Architecture and design

All content | Modernisms 1900–1980

Can a urinal count as art? What about a canvas of pure color, or a chair placed in front of a gallery wall? These artists answered yes.

Selected Contributors