Modernity

Definition

Modernity refers to the cultural, social, and economic changes that emerged in the wake of the Enlightenment and Industrial Revolution, fundamentally reshaping society's values, practices, and artistic expressions. It is characterized by a shift towards reason, science, individualism, and secularism, reflecting the new realities of urbanization and technological advancement.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Modernity saw the rise of new artistic movements, like Impressionism and Post-Impressionism, which reflected contemporary life and feelings about modern society.
2. The Industrial Revolution played a critical role in modernity by transforming economies and cities, influencing artists to capture urban experiences and social changes in their work.
3. Modernity emphasized individual perspectives, leading artists to break away from traditional forms and embrace experimentation in style and subject matter.
4. The emergence of photography in the 19th century challenged painters to redefine their roles as artists, pushing them toward modernist ideals that focused on subjective experience.
5. Modernity's influence persists today, with its themes of innovation, change, and the complexities of modern life continuing to resonate in contemporary art.

Review Questions

• How did the Industrial Revolution contribute to the development of modernity and its influence on art?
  • The Industrial Revolution significantly contributed to modernity by transforming societal structures through urbanization and technological advancements. Artists began to reflect these changes in their work, focusing on themes of modern life such as urban landscapes, labor conditions, and the effects of industrialization on daily life. This shift helped lay the groundwork for movements like Impressionism, where capturing fleeting moments in rapidly changing environments became central.
• Discuss how major Impressionist artists embraced the concept of modernity in their works.
  • Major Impressionist artists embraced modernity by capturing the essence of contemporary life through light and color rather than relying on traditional techniques. They painted scenes of everyday activities in urban settings, showcasing leisure activities like cafes or parks as representations of modern life. Their focus on perception over realism illustrated a departure from established norms in art, embodying the spirit of modernity by emphasizing subjective experience.
• Evaluate the lasting impact of 19th-century art movements associated with modernity on contemporary artistic practices.
  • The art movements of the 19th century associated with modernity have had a profound impact on contemporary artistic practices by introducing new ways of seeing and interpreting the world. Movements like Impressionism and Post-Impressionism encouraged subsequent generations of artists to explore personal expression and abstraction. The emphasis on breaking away from tradition continues to inspire innovation in various art forms today, as artists grapple with the complexities of modern existence, technology, and identity.

Related terms

Industrial Revolution: A period of significant industrial growth and technological advancement during the late 18th and early 19th centuries, which transformed economies from agrarian to industrial.

Impressionism: An art movement that originated in the late 19th century, focusing on capturing light and its changing qualities, often depicting everyday life and landscapes.

Post-Impressionism: An art movement that emerged as a reaction against Impressionism in the late 19th century, emphasizing more abstract forms and personal expression through color and brushwork.