Nineteenth and Twentieth Century Art Movements

Expressionism: This movement was launched in the early 20th century and it used exaggeration, alteration and "primitivism" (www.ibiblio.org). Expressionism alludes to art works that "emphasize the extreme expressive properties of pictorial form," according to the Guggenheim Museum. Expressionism departed from the "appearance of reality" and promoted idealistic values that oppose the "constricting forces and repressive materialism of bourgeois society" (Guggenheim). The example used is "Paris Society" by Max Beckmann: given that this painting was finished on the eve of the Third Reich, all the people appear foreboding and depressed (perhaps for good reason); it's a black-tie party but people are exaggeratedly solemn. This could be a response to materialism as party-goers are supposed to be gay and enthusiastic.

Symbolism: This movement actually began as a literary concept, but came to be a part of the style of younger painters as well, who, like the writers, rejected "…the conventions of Naturalism" (Metropolitan Museum of Art). Art should not necessarily represent objectivity in the natural world, the painters in this genre insisted; art should represent emotions and ideas, and sometimes present them in "…imaginary dream worlds populated with mysterious figures" (www.metmuseum.org). The work of art is Pandora, by Odilon Redon, a French painter. It is a kind of dream world and Pandora was sent to earth by Jupiter with flowers surrounding her suggesting innocence. She holds the box that, should it be opened, will "unleash all the evils destined to plague mankind," which would end the Golden Age (www.metmuseum.org).

Impressionism: This movement began in 1874 in Paris; artists used "loose brushwork" and embraced "pure unblended colors" (in bright blues, yellows and greens) rather than natural white, gray or black (www.metmuseum.org). An impressionistic painting (by Renoir, Monet, Pissarro, et al.) is inexact, even mystical, with less detail but with bright, vibrant colors on outdoor scenes depicting everyday events in the lives of people. "Sunrise" is an iconic painting by Monet; it was actually the reason the movement was called "impressionism" because an art critic called it "impressionistic" rather than a complete, predictable scene. The boats and trees in the background stand out because of the various shades of blue and the brushwork. The boats in the foreground -- black -- contrast poignantly with the sun's reflection. This is classic impressionism.

Question Two: (a) While I am visiting the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, I will want to visit William Hogarth's "Five Orders of Periwigs" and Hogarth's "The Laughing Audience." Hogarth's father made critical investment mistakes and ended up in prison, but William -- left alone to fend for himself -- got involved in art and eventually used his talent (engravings) to make political and social statements. His "The Laughing Audience" features not just laughter but hideously grotesque faces with teeth missing and sinister expressions, an extraordinary blast of emotions. The "Periwigs" piece is fascinating and may have been intended as a satirical look at styles of dress and fashion. The letter to "Lord Mucklemon" is a sardonic statement about receiving money for attacking (through art) someone or something in public. I researched "Mucklemon" and found no evidence such a "lord" existed, but nonetheless Hogarth's work is historically and artistically significant. Having a chance to stand close to these works would be a thrill. Hogarth includes in this work a letter to Mucklemon and Mucklemon's response to Hogarth, making the art actually part of the literature. I wish to view his work up close. (b) The last on my list of exhibits "to look for" at the "Met" would be the medallions. Coins and medallions have never been of interest to me; my dad collected coins and stamps and I found them boring and lifeless. (c) Art by competent, creative and iconic artists, to me, are wonderfully alive and make statements about the history of societies. History through depiction of art to me is a wonderful, illuminating way to travel back in time. The remarkable and unique talents of great artists to me are far more compelling than the work of sculptors -- even "David," while dramatic and poignant, doesn't move my spirit like Monet, Picasso, Van Gough and others can do with the magic of their brush strokes.