The Difference Between Contemporary Paintings, Modern Art, & Abstract Paintings
So what’s the difference? This is a basic question, and a little confusing to answer because the terms “contemporary,” “modern,” and “abstract” can be used interchangeably at times. Let us start with “modern art.” Modern art is a classification of an art period that started around 1870 by Impressionists like Claude Monet. It is understood that modern artists are those who experimented with new ways of seeing, expressing new ideas and methods. But technically the modern art movement ended around the 1960′s and 70′s when the term “postmodern” started to be used and pop art became the new thing.
Abstract art is a style of painting a departure from reality and was definitely modern at the time. Abstraction in paintings started to make the scene right around the same time modern art became known because it is a painting style classified in the modern art movement. But full blown abstract paintings really started appearing early 1900′s in Europe by the likes of Pablo Picasso and others in the cubism movement. Abstract art really was not created in America until the 1940′s in the abstract expressionism movement with Jackson Pollock at the helm. Because abstract art is a style of painting and not a classification of an art period, abstract paintings are still being created today.
And that brings us to right now. Right now we use the term “contemporary” to define artwork as being created in our lifetime or in the current present moment. So any paintings being created right now are contemporary paintings no matter what the style. What has happened is that people generally use “contemporary art” to describe artwork from the 1970′s until now. It is hard, if not near impossible to define a period while we are living in it. One might wonder, will we always use the word “contemporary” to describe the artwork being created in the present moment? Or will there be an end to the use of the word “contemporary” signifying an end of another artwork period very similarly to how “modern” was used. I don’t know. But in any case, I hope this information has helped and not confused you even more.
About the Author
Jaison Cianelli is a contemporary artist who specializes in abstract paintings and landscape paintings. His paintings have been observed as an uplifting display of energy with unique dripped-on paint texture that is both refreshing and unconstrained. His work can be found in private and corporate collections worldwide and online at www.cianellistudios.com.
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