Art and Design
Contextual References in Art and Design
Influences: Key Movements
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Influences: Key Movements
Influences: Key Movements
Renaissance (1400-1600)
- Marked by a return to classical ideals and exploration of human form and the natural world.
- Notable artists: Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, and Raphael.
- Characteristics: emphasis on symmetry, proportion, and harmony.
Baroque (1600-1750)
- Came to prominence following the Renaissance, focusing on drama, motion, and light.
- Notable artists: Caravaggio and Peter Paul Rubens.
- Characteristics: ornate details, vivid colour contrasts, and intense light and shadow.
Impressionism (1870-1890)
- A movement that sought to capture the mood and atmosphere of a scene rather than detail.
- Notable artists: Claude Monet, Pierre-Auguste Renoir, and Edgar Degas.
- Characteristics: visible brush strokes, light colours, and ordinary subject matter.
Modernism (mid 19th century - early 20th century)
- An important movement that rejected tradition and was characterised by experimentation and abstraction.
- Notable artists: Picasso, Marcel Duchamp, and Henri Matisse.
- Characteristics: emphasis on materials, techniques, and processes, often abstract and non-representational.
Postmodernism (mid-to-late 20th century)
- Reacting to Modernism, involved playful and ironic referencing of past styles and an emphasis on diversity and individualism.
- Notable artists: David Hockney, Jeff Koons, and Cindy Sherman.
- Characteristics: integration of different art styles, techniques and media, often challenging the notions of 'high' and 'low' art.
Understanding the key movements will allow you to discuss and analyse artworks with confidence and understanding. Recognise the themes, forms, and techniques used in these art movements, and examine how they may impact your own work. Reflect on how these past works continue to influence contemporary design and visual culture.
