Modernism values reason, science, and democracy.

Modern artusts prioritize freedom and individuality in their artwork.

Mother and Child and Animals under a Tree  by Marc Chagall
Date: mid 1930s
Medium: Drawings and Watercolors, Drawing
Size: 12 13/16 x 9 15/16 in. (32.54 x 25.24 cm)
Institution: Minneapolis Institute of Arts
Accession #: 68.78

Modernism began with the Enlightenment (1687-1789), a movement in Europe that focused on reason and individualism. The French motto, "Liberty, Equality, and Fraternity," was born during this time. The French Revolution (1789-1799) takes place not long after the American revolution.

During this time period, the powers of the Church and aristocracy were being replaced as the primary powers in the West.

Jacques-Louis David is an early modernist art. Consider in this drawing, "Study for the Costume of a Civil Official," David depicts a government worker, instead of an aristocrat or a priest.

Artist: Jacques-Louis DavidDate: 1794
Medium: Drawings and Watercolors, Drawing
Size: 12 3/4 x 9 in. (32.39 x 22.86 cm)
Institution: Minneapolis Institute of Arts
Accession #: 65.43.1

Though the ideas for modernism began during the Enlightenment, many in the art world think of modernism as developing in the late 1800s.

Modernism develops in the late 19th century and into the 20th century.

In this landscape painting by Cezanne, we can see the flattened quality of the picture, a technique that became common in the Modern Art movement.

Artist: Paul Cézanne
Date: c. 1885-1886
Medium: Paintings, Painting
Size: 28 x 35 1/2 in. (71.12 x 90.17 cm) (sight)40 1/4 x 48 x 3 3/4 in. (102.24 x 121.92 x 9.53 cm) (outer frame)
Institution: Minneapolis Institute of Arts
Accession #: 49.9

Once photography was invented in the mid-1800s, modernism took off. The invention of the camera took away the need for the traditional function of art to simulate reality.

Artist: Georges Seurat
Date: 1888
Medium: Paintings, Painting
Size: 26 x 32-3/4 in. (66.0 x 83.2 cm)
Institution: Minneapolis Institute of Arts
Accession #: 55.38

In modern art, art is unique and is created by the gifted individual, who is considered a genius.

Artist: Vincent van Gogh
Date: 1889
Medium: Paintings, Painting
Size: 29 x 36 1/2 in. (73.66 x 92.71 cm) (canvas)39 3/4 x 47 x 3 1/2 in. (100.97 x 119.38 x 8.89 cm) (outer frame)46 3/8 in. (117.79 cm) (diagonal)28 1/2 x 36 in. (72.39 x 91.44 cm) (sight)
Institution: Minneapolis Institute of Arts
Accession #: 51.7

Modern artists include: Henri Matisse, Pablo Picasso, Wassily Kandisnky, Marcel Duchamp, Alexander Calder, Mark Rothko, Helen Frankenthaler, Georgia O'Keefe, Ellsworth Kelly, Al Held, Bruce Nauman, and Bridget Riley.

Artist: Henri Matisse
Date: 1907
Medium: Paintings, Painting
Size: 69 3/4 x 45 15/16 in. (177.17 x 116.68 cm) (canvas)81 1/4 x 56 15/16 x 3 in. (206.38 x 144.62 x 7.62 cm) (outer frame)
Institution: Minneapolis Institute of Arts
Accession #: 51.18

With the modern art movement, there is a focus on progress. This is linked to free enterprise, the Industrial Revolution, and capitalism.

Artist: Wassily Kandinsky
Date: 1924
Medium: Drawings and Watercolors, Gouaches/Watercolors
Size: sheet 13.625 x 8.875 x inches
Institution: Walker Art Center
Accession #: 1995.85

Pablo Picasso was one of the most famous modern artists. He was known for his focus on individuality and freedom in his artwork.

Artist: David Seymour ; The International Center for Photography
Date: 1937
Medium: Photographs, Photograph-Portfolio
Size: 11 15/16 x 8 in. (30.32 x 20.32 cm) (image)14 x 11 in. (35.56 x 27.94 cm) (sheet)
Institution: Minneapolis Institute of Arts
Accession #: 93.75.1.4

Art transends the ordinary and everyday. True art is high art, while popular objects are low art.

Artist: Pablo Picasso
Date: 1922
Medium: Paintings, Painting
Size: 23 x 19 in. (58.42 x 48.26 cm) (sight)32 x 28 x 2 3/4 in. (81.28 x 71.12 x 6.99 cm) (outer frame)
Institution: Minneapolis Institute of Arts
Accession #: 61.36.24

Modern art movements include: Impresssionism, Postimpressionsim, Symbolism, Fauvism, Cubism, Expressionism, Dada, Bauhaus, Surrealism, and Abstract Impressionism.

Artist: Pablo Picasso
Date: 1949
Medium: Prints, Print
Size: 25 1/2 x 19 11/16 in. (64.8 x 50.0 cm)
Institution: Minneapolis Institute of Arts
Accession #: P.12,574

The years of the Modern Art movement are roughly 1860-1960.

In Minimal Art, there is a reduction of detail and an emphasis on pure form. There is less importance placed on subject matter; rather, formal qualities of art are prioritized.

Artist: Alexander Calder
Date: 1969
Medium: Prints, Print
Size: 25 1/2 x 19 7/8 in. (64.77 x 50.48 cm) (image)
Institution: Minneapolis Institute of Arts
Accession #: P.72.53

Notice the flat composition and use of vivid colors in this painting by Jacob Lawrence.

Artist: Jacob Lawrence
Date: 1946
Medium: Drawings and Watercolors, Gouaches/Watercolors
Size: sheet 23 x 31.25 x inches
Institution: Walker Art Center
Accession #: 1953.40

As photography becomes more popular, modern art relies less on realistic depictions in art.

Notice de Kooning's gestural quality in this artwork. The unconscious is being expressed in this abstract artwork.

Artist: Willem de Kooning
Date: circa 1952
Medium: Drawings and Watercolors, Drawings
Size: unframed 13.5 x 10.3125 inches
Institution: Walker Art Center
Accession #: 1995.67

Jackson Pollock is known for his spontaneous drip paintings.

He was influenced by Dada artists who created automatic drawing style during the early 1900s.

Surrealists also practiced this spontaneous art-making technique as a way of showing subconsious impulses.

Artist: Jackson Pollock ; Published by Museum of Modern Art, New York ; Printed by Emiliano Sorini, American
Date: c. 1944-45 (printed 1967)
Medium: Prints, Print
Size: 14 9/16 x 17 3/4 in. (36.99 x 45.09 cm) (plate)19 7/8 x 27 5/16 in. (50.48 x 69.37 cm) (sheet)
Institution: Minneapolis Institute of Arts
Accession #: P.78.31.4

In Modern art, there is attention paid to form. In this sculpture, Nevelson has organized the shapes into one sculpture.

Artist: Louise Nevelson
Date: 1974
Medium: Mixed Media, Multiples, Other
Size: with base 17.5 x 6.75 x 7.875 inches
Institution: Walker Art Center
Accession #: 1986.106

This sculpture can be considered modern art. The Modern architecture style  contains austere sparseness and lack of ornament.

Artist: Ellsworth Kelly
Date: 1988
Medium: Sculpture, Sculptures
Size: each 216 x 40 x 4.5 inches
Institution: Walker Art Center
Accession #: 1988.380.1-.2

In modern art, there is abstraction.

Subject matter is distorted and even eliminated.

Artist: Helen Frankenthaler
Date: 1967
Medium: Paintings
Size: unframed 118.125 x 64.125 x 0.875 inches
Institution: Walker Art Center
Accession #: 1971.11

Ideas become valued more than objects.

Artist: Ellsworth Kelly
Date: 1976-1977
Medium: Prints, Edition Prints/Proofs
Size: sheet 40.25 x 40.25 inches
Institution: Walker Art Center
Accession #: 1984.1020

There is less of a need for an impression of the artist's touch in artwork. Artists use commercial fabrication in their work. The subject matter beckons viewers to notice the everyday.

Pop Art is seen as a transition to Post-Modernism.

Artist: Andy Warhol
Date: 1966
Medium: Sculpture, Sculptures
Size: overall 4 x 2.625 x 2.625 inches
Institution: Walker Art Center
Accession #: 2002.312

Pop Art removes the boundary between high and low art. This is a precursor to postmodernism's use of popular culture in art.

Artist: Andy Warhol
Date: 1972
Medium: Prints, Edition Prints/Proofs
Size: unframed 36 x 36 inches
Institution: Walker Art Center
Accession #: 1986.112.1

Lichtenstein is known for his Pop Art paintings that reflect popular culture and commercialism.

In this painting, he references his earlier pioneering artworks.

According to the Walker Art Center, when once asked how he selected his images, the artist explained, "I go through comic books looking for material which seems to hold possibilities for painting, both in its visual impact and the impact of its written message. I try to take messages which are kind of universal . . . completely meaningless or so involved that they become ludicrous."

Artist: Roy Lichtenstein
Date: 1973
Medium: Paintings
Size: unframed 96.125 x 128.125 x inches
Institution: Walker Art Center
Accession #: 1981.3

There is no break-off date betweeen Modern Art and Post-Modern Art.

Modern artists include Sam Gilliam, who created this artwork in 1980.

Notice the quick gestures produced by the line quality in this drawing. Another indication of modern art methods in this piece is the power of the color and the flat surface.

Artist: Sam Gilliam
Date: 1980
Medium: Drawings and Watercolors, Drawing
Size: 31 5/8 x 42 1/8 in. (80.33 x 107 cm)
Institution: Minneapolis Institute of Arts
Accession #: 83.171.2

Postmodernism begins in 1968 in Paris, when college students and professors joined workers and revolted against repressive French institutions.

Other art historians believe postmodern art began before 1968 with Duchamp (1987-1968), Dada (1920), and Pop Art (mid-1950s).

Artist: Eva Hesse
Date: 1969
Medium: Mixed Media, Multiples, Other
Size: 10 x 3 inches
Institution: Walker Art Center
Accession #: 1988.390.2

Chuck Close focused on the figurative. He didn't fit into the modernist mold. Subject matter and realism are depicted in his artwork.

If you zoom in on aspects of this portrait, you can see the remarkable details of this piece that harken back to modern art. Within the a square of this grid painting, you can see a semblance of tiny modernist paintings. This is where we can identify the influence of modernism.

Artist: Chuck Close
Date: 2000
Medium: Prints, Edition Prints/Proofs
Size: sheet 65.5 x 54.125 inches
Institution: Walker Art Center
Accession #: 2000.62

Postmodern artists include: Barbara Kruger, Jenny Holzer, Christo and Jeanne-Claude, Jeff Koons, Takashi Murakaim, and Nan Goldin.

Artist: Chuck Close
Date: 1993
Medium: Paintings
Size: unframed 100 x 84.125 x 3.375 inches
Institution: Walker Art Center
Accession #: 1994.7

In Post-Modern art, there is a pluralism of art styles.

Betye Saar is an African American artist who uses found objects in her  mixed media artwork. This piece of artwork resembles an alter that one might find in folk art. Also, her artwork shows that there is no distinction between high and low art in Post-Modernism.

Artist: Betye Saar
Date: 1989
Medium: Sculpture, Sculptures
Size: Installed 61.25 x 19.75 x 13.25 inches
Institution: Walker Art Center
Accession #: 1995.9.1-.3

Postmodern art approaches include: mixed media, appropriation, hybridization, layering, recontextualization, collaboration, and irony.

Artist: Nam June Paik
Date: 1990
Medium: Mixed media, Media Arts, Multimedia
Size: overall installed 148 x 64 x 48 inches
Institution: Walker Art Center
Accession #: 1990.194.1-.6

With concetualism in postmodern art, the concept or idea is more important that the visual presentation.

Artwork does not need to look like something particular.

Artist: Jenny Holzer
Date: 1977-1979
Medium: Prints, Edition Prints/Proofs
Size: each 16.875 x 13.75 inches
Institution: Walker Art Center
Accession #: 1992.19.1-.3

There is a lack of concern for sensory experiences or the need for the mark of the individual.

In this piece, the focus is place more on ideas, rather than form or other visual qualities.

In postmodern art, there is also irreverence.

Artist: Jenny Holzer
Date: circa 1987
Medium: Sculpture, Models
Size: overall 15 x 18 inches
Institution: Walker Art Center
Accession #: 2005.71

Postmodern art embraces the popular in culture. Art is influenced by popular culture. Postmodern art is also irreverent at times.

Notice how Kruger incorporates both text and image in her compositions.

Artist: Barbara Kruger
Date: 1985
Medium: Prints, Edition Prints/Proofs
Size: each of nine sheets 20.5 x 20.5 inches
Institution: Walker Art Center
Accession #: 1985.397.1-.12

Postmodernists believe modernism oppresses workers and excludes women and minorities.

Postmodern art stresses social and political concerns.

The social context is important. Art is not only an object for the wealthy; instead, it is a tool to promote social justice.

Artist: Lorna Simpson
Date: 1991
Medium: Prints, Edition Prints/Proofs
Size: sheet 73.4375 x 37.8125 inches
Institution: Walker Art Center
Accession #: 1992.3

Postmodernists feel modern beliefs have not led to a society free of oppression and poverty.

Postmodern artists often question and critique social inequities.

They are skeptical about modernism's focus on the individual. Postmodern artists recognize that people's actions are affected by the social context.

In postmodern art, there is variety of expression.

Artist: Alison Saar
Date: 1997
Medium: Prints, Edition Prints/Proofs
Size: sheet 75 x 33 inches
Institution: Walker Art Center
Accession #: 1998.96

In postmodern art, there is humor.

Artist: Jeff Koons
Date: 1998
Medium: Mixed Media, Multiples, Other
Size: puppy overall 17.5 x 17 x 11 inches
Institution: Walker Art Center
Accession #: 2001.207.1-.2

Postmodern art includes installation art and mixed media.

Artist: Kiki Smith
Date: 2005
Medium: Mixed media, Media Arts, Multimedia
Size: variable
Institution: Walker Art Center
Accession #: 2006.2.1-.178

Often times, postmodern artists intentionally make art that engages with the outside world, so that they can reach more people.

Artist: Jenny Holzer
Date: 1989
Medium: Sculpture, Sculptures
Size: overall 17.25 x 36 x 18 inches
Institution: Walker Art Center
Accession #: 1993.99

Barrett, T. (2011). Postmodern approaches to making art. In Making Art: Form and Meaning. New York: McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc., pp. 202-228.

Untitled (MP #212 edition 6/6) by Cindy Sherman
Date: 1989
Medium: Photographs, Photograph
Size: 33 1/4 x 24 1/4 in. (84.46 x 61.6 cm) (image)41 1/4 x 32 1/4 in. (104.78 x 81.92 cm) (outer frame)
Institution: Minneapolis Institute of Arts
Accession #: 2010.23