Abstract Painting No. 439 by Gerhard Richter
Abstract Painting (750-1) by Gerhard Richter
Four Hearts by Jim Dine
Three Girls by Amrita Sher-Gil
Young Girls by Amrita Sher-Gil
Head of a Man IV (Diego) by Alberto Giacometti
Painting by Yves Tanguy
Sky Mirror by Anish Kapoor
Hermaphrodite Self Portrait (1993) by Maggi Hambling
Farm, farm workers, Mt. Williamson in background, Manzanar Relocation Center, California by Ansel Adams
Doves (Group) by Barbara Hepworth
White Canoe by Peter Doig

20th Century

558 artists · Modernism, abstraction and beyond

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The 20th century saw art accelerate to match the pace of technological change. World wars influenced artists, some aiming to repair society, while others pursued art for its own sake. Modernism fractured into numerous movements, from Fauvism and German Expressionism early in the century to Pop Art and Neo-Expressionism in the latter half, reflecting a period of constant innovation and re-evaluation of artistic conventions.

Key Movements

Art movements active during the 20th century.

Key Ideas

  • Embracing Impermanence

    Some 20th-century artists deliberately incorporated obsolescence into their works, mirroring the consumer society. Artists used materials like cheese and chocolate, acknowledging the transient nature of their creations. Photographs often preserve the memory of these disintegrating artworks.

  • The Influence of Photography

    Technological advancements in photography influenced art. Étienne-Jules Marey's chronophotography, which captured multiple images on a single plate, inspired artists like Marcel Duchamp to explore movement and fragmentation in their work.

  • Abstraction and Colour

    Abstraction gained prominence, with artists exploring non-representational forms and the expressive potential of colour. Robert Delaunay, associated with movements branching from Cubism, focused on interpenetrating areas of pure colour, drawing inspiration from Neo-Impressionism.

  • Experimentation and Technique

    The 20th century saw artists becoming increasingly experimental with technique. Unlike craftspeople, artists were expected to push boundaries and explore new methods, leading to significant innovations in artistic expression.

Key Artists

Frida Kahlo

Frida Kahlo

1907–1954 · Mexican

Andy Warhol

Andy Warhol

1928–1987 · American

Keith Haring

Keith Haring

1958–1990 · American

Salvador Dalí

Salvador Dalí

1904–1989 · Spanish

Jackson Pollock

Jackson Pollock

1912–1956 · American

David Hockney

David Hockney

1937–present · British

Roy Lichtenstein

Roy Lichtenstein

1923–1997 · American

Jean-Michel Basquiat

Jean-Michel Basquiat

1960–1988 · American

All 20th Century Artists

558 artists.

Showing the first 80 of 558 artists, alphabetically.

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Frequently Asked Questions

  • Why is the 20th century a turning point in art history?
    The 20th century marks a turning point due to its radical experimentation with artistic techniques and materials. Artists challenged traditional craftsmanship, embracing impermanence and incorporating new technologies like photography into their practices, leading to diverse movements such as Cubism and Pop Art.
  • Which artists define 20th-century art?
    Several artists define 20th-century art, including Frida Kahlo, known for her surrealist self-portraits, and Andy Warhol, a leading figure in the Pop Art movement. Francis Bacon and Lucian Freud are also important figures.
  • What's a lesser-known 20th-century artist worth discovering?
    Sonia Delaunay, associated with movements branching from Cubism, is worth discovering. She focused on interpenetrating areas of pure colour, drawing inspiration from Neo-Impressionism, and her work offers a unique perspective on abstraction.
  • What came after the 20th century?
    The 21st century saw the rise of Contemporary art, building on the foundations laid by its predecessor. Contemporary art continues to evolve, incorporating new media and addressing contemporary social and political issues.

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