5 Iconic Modern Art Movements to Know

Historical context:

One of the most well-known modern art movements, Cubism was founded by Spanish painter Pablo Picasso and French painter Georges Bracque. Drawing influences from African art and Post-Impressionism, Cubism burst on the scene in 1907-1908, when Picasso unveiled his work Les Demoiselles d’Avignon and Bracque his work Viaduct at L’Estaque. Their fragmented, angular forms caused a stir in the art world and prompted critic Louis Vauxcelles to deem the paintings “bizarreries cubiques” (“cubic oddities”), giving rise to the term Cubism. Though Cubism faded with the start of WWI, it has left an undeniable legacy that still resonates today.

Defining traits:

• “Simultaneousness,” or multiple angles and perspectives of a subject displayed at once, meant to deconstruct traditional realism which depicted only a single viewpoint
• Geometric shapes and lines
• More neutral color palette in the works of the earlier Analytic Cubism period
• Brighter colors and simpler forms in the later Synthetic Cubism phase
• Also encompassed sculpture, architecture, and collage art

Well-known artists: Pablo Picasso, Georges Bracque, Juan Gris

Why accessorize with Cubist art?

As one of the most recognizable styles of modern art, Cubism will infuse your interior with an iconic and sophisticated vibe. A Cubist-inspired sculpture like the life-size Modeling Woman adds an edgy yet timeless accent to an indoor or outdoor space, while a contemporary painting like The Seekers will spark conversation with its brightly colored, overlapping faces. For a subtler touch, try a Picasso jacquard pillow like Tete de Femme on your favorite armchair.

Historical context:

Fauvism began in 1905, pioneered by the French painters Henri Matisse and André Derain, who were influenced by prior movements like Post-Impressionism, Impressionism, and Symbolism. The works of Matisse, Derain, and other Fauvists featured colors that were so vivid and intense that they led art critic Louis Vauxcelles to call the artists “fauves” or “wild beasts” – a name which the movement officially adopted until its dissolution in 1910.

Defining traits:

• Vibrant, highly saturated colors
• Strong, raw brushstrokes that evoke emotional intensity
• Paint would often be directly squeezed from the tube onto the canvas, as opposed to being put on a palette first
• Simplified, semi-abstract forms and a somewhat flattened perspective, with a desire to emphasize the power of color over strict realism

Well-known artists: Henri Matisse, André Derain, Maurice de Vlaminck

Why accessorize with Fauvist art?

If you’re craving a burst of energy and color in your home, Fauvist-inspired art is an ideal choice. Imagine livening up a plain wall with the rainbow of bright brushstrokes in the Sophia portrait or creating a focal point with the jewel tones and semi-abstract landscape of the Revelation painting. Similarly, a floral artwork like Bright Moments II radiates an atmosphere of warmth to add subtle excitement to your surroundings.

Historical context:

One of the art movements that flourished between the World Wars, Surrealism originated in Paris in the early 1920’s and sought to reject the machine-like logic and rationality that members saw as leading to the destruction wrought by WWI. Influenced by Freud’s theories of the unconscious and the absurdism of the Dada movement, Surrealist artists like Salvador Dalí and Joan Miró aimed to blend the conscious mind with the more irrational, fantastical, and primal world of dreams and the subconscious.

Defining traits:

• Use of techniques meant to bridge the conscious and unconscious minds, such as “automatism” (a type of free association), “exquisite corpse” (a collaborative work where each artist’s contribution is based on only getting a partial glimpse of what the previous artist contributed), dream recording, and others
• Often depicted impossible scenes or figures in a realistic style
• Conversely, could also depict abstract, organic forms and shapes
• Encompassed poetry, literature, sculpture, and film as well as painting

Well-known artists: Salvador Dalí, Joan Miró, René Magritte, Frida Kahlo (included in the Surrealist movement by those within, though she did not self-identify as one)

Why accessorize with Surrealist art?

This fascinating style is perfect for those drawn to fantastical, experimental, and unique forms of art. Whether you prefer a more mysterious and edgy aesthetic, or one that is more playful and whimsical, Surrealist-inspired art is sure to ignite your imagination. Try the Paysage Pillow in woven jacquard for a dream-like interpretation of a beach scene or place the Walking Horse Sculpture in your living room or garden to give it a sense of the otherworldly.

Historical context:

Arising in the 1940’s after WWII and enduring until the 1970’s, Abstract Expressionism established New York City as the leading hub of the art world. Abstract Expressionist artists found inspiration in avant-garde European movements like Dada and Surrealism. They also sought artistic conduits for expressing the collective trauma of the war and pushing back against the repressive atmosphere of McCarthyism. Artworks in this style were typically devoid of recognizable figures, instead emphasizing emotional expression, creative freedom, and spontaneity.

Defining traits:

• Abstract compositions, often with bold, intense brushstrokes or otherwise embodying a feeling of dynamism and improvisation
• Unconventional techniques such as Jackson’s Pollock’s “action painting,” wherein the canvas was placed on the floor and the artist walked around it to apply paint
• Large-scale compositions
• Various sub-styles ranging from the layered, chaotic-appearing works of Pollock, to the more atmospheric “color field” works of Mark Rothko

Well-known artists: Jackson Pollock, Mark Rothko, Willem de Kooning, Helen Frankenthaler

Why accessorize with Abstract Expressionist art?

This iconoclastic style is known for its dynamism and ability to provoke thought. Dramatic or understated, energetic or mellow, Abstract Expressionist-inspired art has a powerful capability to help set the ambiance of a room. For instance, the Opposites Attract painting is bursting with movement and vibrancy, while Playground sets a calmer tone with its hazy brushstrokes. The Bold Moves wall art features gritty textures and layered paint to create visual intrigue.

Historical context:

Initially appearing in Britain, Pop Art migrated to the United States in the 1950’s and bloomed in the next two decades. Short for “popular art,” this movement differentiated itself from traditional “highbrow” art by drawing inspiration from mass media and consumer culture. Buoyed by various activist movements of the 1960’s, Pop artwork was often (though not always) intended to critique or satirize aspects of conventional society, such as consumerism and conformity.

Defining traits:

• Use of imagery from popular and commercial culture, such as everyday objects, advertisements, comic books, and celebrities
• Simplified and easily recognizable visual presentation, often with bold color
• Use of repetition, such as multiple images of the same subject
• Variety of mediums and techniques, such as silk-screening, photography, collage, and 3D objects, in addition to painting

Well-known artists: Andy Warhol, Roy Lichtenstein, Keith Haring, Yayoi Kusama

Why accessorize with Pop Art?

Because Pop Art plays with commonly recognizable objects, symbols, or people, it can feel easily accessible and welcoming right away. The playful or satirical tone of Pop Art-inspired works can lend a fun and light-hearted mood to your surroundings. Fans of this style may enjoy the Desert House Party wall art, full of references to retro 50s culture, the Blues Tempo painting featuring the bold silhouette of a guitar, or the whimsical and larger-than-life Kiss Sculpture.

From dreamlike scenes to dramatic uses of color and shape, the umbrella of modern art covers a kaleidoscopic world with a near-endless supply of creativity and innovation. The spirit of modern art is still alive today in the work of countless artists, including those in Copenhagen’s contemporary art and accessory collections. Shop online or stop by in-store to browse and be moved.