Ever walked into art museums and wondered, “What in the world am I looking at?” I’m pretty sure we’ve all been intrigued by what makes an artwork so valuable, why a certain Vincent van Gogh painting is so moving or what are those monstrous creatures in a Salvador Dalí painting.
Understanding an artwork and its meaning doesn’t always come easy to everyone. However, one way to appreciate modern art is to just let your eyes wander. Tune into how you feel about the art. Observe the elements that the artist uses.
Let’s learn how to appreciate modern art together. Below, we’ll look back to how the modernism movement started, what it’s about, and explore some of the most iconic modern artworks.
What Is Modern Art?
Unlike the classical styles that came before, modern art shifted to a more abstract and unconventional approach to making artwork. Modernism emerged after World War II (late 19th and into the 20th century). It’s a movement that favors a more experimental and fresh way of creating art.
Some key movements within modern art include surrealism, fauvism, minimalism, impressionism, abstract expressionism, cubism, and pop art. You see, it’s a massively wide genre of art.
Modern art doesn’t just pertain to paintings, however. Writers, sculptors, photographers, and performers also collectively adapted new approaches to their craft, which are all original and represent their times.
What Makes Good Modern Art?
Artists who worked under the modernist ethos leaned on the use of bold and bright colors and abstract forms to convey messages. And part of what makes a good modern art is the application of those important elements. Art should evoke emotion in you as the viewer.
The Starry Night by Vincent van Gogh is a great example of good modern art. He painted this oil on canvas in June 1889, taking inspiration from his views through the window during his stay at Saint-Paul-de-Mausole asylum in the picturesque village of Saint-Rémy in southern France.
The artwork depicts the countryside under a bright night sky dominated by the moon, stars, and a large cypress tree. It features lots of vivid blues and yellows, and unusual curves.
It’s one of his most emotional and thought-provoking materials. Many view the painting as the symbol of van Gogh’s deteriorating mental state. Well, to me, it is a true memoir of the artist’s unwavering love for art in the face of his own suffering.
Modern artworks from the earliest days of the movement are different from those that are made today, though. But that’s also what makes good contemporary art—it’s the ever-evolving approach to experimenting with new ideas, techniques, mediums, and concepts.
How Do You Appreciate Good Artwork?
Just like any other artwork, modern art is a form of expression. It rejects traditional norms from the past, a departure from the limitations on creating artwork from centuries ago. But best of all, it reflects the changing social, cultural, and political landscapes in the modern world.
So to really appreciate and understand modern art, you need to know the history and context behind the modernism movement. If you look at the abstract nature of an artwork, you may notice the “carefree” brush strokes. Such pieces highlight emotions and spontaneous expression.
In the modern art movement, artists liberated themselves to new techniques, materials, and processes. They created art in a way that doesn’t represent what we see normally. Modern artists incorporate their emotions and ideas to unleash creativity.
But there are different ways to enjoy modern art than understanding its historical context. There’s no need to decipher everything. If you want to learn how to look at their art, you can try to:
Not Stress About Understanding the Artwork.
Yes, historical context is important, but that can be the last of your worries. Let yourself gaze at the artwork. Look at it from the perspective of the artist. For example, if you see a natural object in different colors, the artist may want you to feel his mood and emotion when he paints the art.
Your visual perception stimulates the eyes first, then your brain, second. Try to let your own interpretation of the art take over. If you’re familiar with the painting, great. But don’t be too concerned with what the intended message of the artwork is.
Look at the Art’s Elements.
To really appreciate modern art, look at the elements that the artist used. Look at the physical qualities of the artwork. Notice the lines, colors, textures, shapes, patterns, materials, techniques, etc.
It’s one way to understand the artist’s intentions behind the art. This is also a great way to appreciate modern art’s unique elements. So, take your time and pay attention to the details.
Find What’s Hidden.
Here’s another reason why having a keen eye on the details of the artwork is important. Modern pieces can contain hidden images or meanings that can only be discovered if you pay close attention. The colors, textures, and even how the brushes were stroked can take part in the artist’s message.
Get To Know the Artist.
The creative hands and minds behind modern and contemporary works make it much easier to appreciate them. Read as much as you can about them, their background, influences, styles, perspectives, and creative processes. Know a thing or two about the artist and you may find an artwork in the gallery that resonates with you.
How Do You Value Modern Art?
Most people find it quite fascinating but also confusing how an artwork can sell for millions of dollars. Well, much like beauty, art is subjective. What you would consider valuable, another person may not.
If you’re one of the latter, the first thing you can put value in is the artist behind it. Think of the likes of van Gogh, Salvador Dalí, Pablo Picasso, Claude Monet, Édouard Manet, and several others from that era. That said, many modern artists that came later deserve their recognition, too.
Interchange (1955) by Willem de Kooning is considered to be one of the most valuable modern artworks. It’s an Abstract Expressionist masterpiece by the American painter that was sold for a whopping $300 million at a private auction in 2015.
The astronomical price basically makes every inch of the painting so valuable. Many people might think it’s way too expensive for a painting with just violent brush strokes. But, it’s a seminal work from the abstract expressionism movement and it’s rare. It’s critically acclaimed and has a historical significance.
Willem de Kooning is one of the artists who pioneered abstract expressionism, the first American modern art movement. The Interchange is said to have marked the artist’s departure from painting of the female form to urban landscapes. Still, the painting has touches of figuration.
Conclusion
The thing is, modern imageries and art don’t always have to make sense (thanks, Picasso!). Appreciating them doesn’t require a full understanding of modern art history. So, next time you visit museums, exhibitions, or art galleries, don’t stress about looking for context clues because interpreting each piece is a subjective process.
We all have our own prejudices, but we also need to be open to changing our interpretation as we learn more about the piece and the artist.
In the meantime, I hope you’ve learned something from our post. If you have any questions, let me know and I’ll be more than happy to help. Thanks for reading!
