Art is the expression or human application of human creative skill and imagination, due to art having no boundaries art is whatever you, the Artist deems fit. However, with so many different realms of creativity and imagination and the many different applications of those views with an abundance of mediums. How do curators, art historians and the artist themselves categorize their work?

What ideas are expressed in the subject matter, what mediums were used and how they were applicated and the year the piece was created. Which are the main factors in identify which groups a piece belongs in for museums displays or for historical archives. (which is why it’s important to sign and date your works) For example, in the previous blog post, we talk about toxic paints which a no longer available to the masses, since those paints can no longer be used works containing those mediums will be put in a different category because they are most likely older. This script will briefly outline essential arts movements and genres for visual arts, such as paintings and sculpting. Making sure it has works you’ll recognize.

Starting with Abstract expressionism, originating in New York 1940s and 1950’s, aiming at emotional expression with an emphasis on spontaneous action painting. Pioneer, Jackson Pollocks, wild and vivid Splatter works with gestural strokes with no domineering subject matter is the perfect example of this form. When you look at these works you will often move back to see the bigger pictures as there is no subject matter to focus on as a whole. These are also quite commonly used to decorate in interior design just to fill space, if your house is modern you probably have one.

Classicism came into use in the seventeenth century for the art for the ancient civilizations of Greece and Rome, linked with harmony, restraint and strong reliance on traditional rules of form and craftsmanship, especially since trade schools was still pumping out master artist. Prominent paintings such as the “David with the head of goliath”

Impressionism is from the 19th century; categorized by small thin visible brush strokes, with an emphasis on the depiction of light and it’s changing qualities. Usually of and ordinary subject matter like a lake or some flowers. Unlike classism with clear, almost photorealistic subject matter, the forms are a bit more implied, the best example, and one of my personal favorites is Claude Monet’s “Japanese Water Lilies”

Post-impressionism takes the colors and themes of impressionism but rejected the fading blurry subject matters. They take a more systematic approach and broke them down to the most fundamental levels. The most famous example is Van Gogh’s “Starry Night” or any of his self-portraits.

Cubism began in 1907, using geometric shapes and planes to challenge the conventions of representation in different types of art, fragmented compositions with sharp edges that reinvented traditional subjects such as nudes and landscapes. Pablo Picasso was the pioneer of this field but I’d also recommend Georges Braque.

Taking a large jump we are moving to Pop Art, 1950 it is defined by artists who draw from popular imagery and commercial-consumer culture, opposing elitist fine art. Many bright unusual colors and repeated prints with bold shadows. The works of Andy Warhol dominate this period such as “The Marilyn Diptych”