Modern and contemporary art

Modern art and contemporary art are terms used interchangeably for visual art from the late 19th century until present day, with aesthetics different from European art of earlier centuries. Much contemporary art is abstract.

Understand

While the concepts of "modern" and "contemporary" by definition have no clear boundaries in time, they usually refer to some art genres that have emerged since the 19th century. Due to tradition, older European art is usually displayed in institutions separate from modern art museums; for instance the Louvre only features work up to the mid-1800s; later works can be seen at Musée d'Orsay.

  • Impressionism was a movement beginning in the 1870s, characterized by thin brush strokes which brought out an impression of light and movement. Impressionist paintings had mundane motifs, challenging the convention of European art in which religious, mythological or historical scenes had higher status.
  • Art nouveau, in German known as Jugendstil, was a movement in visual art, architecture and interior design, inspired by simple natural geometric patterns.
  • Cubism was a movement most prominent in the early 20th century, with Pablo Picasso being one of its founders and most famous practitioners.
  • Surrealism was an early 20th century movement pioneered by André Breton, with Salvador Dalí being perhaps its most famous practitioner.
  • Post-modernism is mainly a post-1945 movement, known for works which reject all conventions of shape, material, medium, and decorum.
  • De Stijl is a 1910s Dutch minimalist movement, found throughout north-western continental Europe, known best for its associated artists, Mondrian and Rietveld. The movement inspires modern day designers and artists and the movement's style and is loved by many others.

Destinations

Most large cities in the world has some public art on display. This list contains some renowned art museums, academies, and creative scenes.

Europe
  • Berlin is a modern art hotspot.
  • 🌍 Guggenheim Museum, Abandoibarra etorbidea, 2 (Bilbao, Spain). Tue-Sun, 10:00 to 20:00; Jul and Aug: Mon-Sun, 10:00 to 20:00. Closed Jan 1 and Dec 25. Frank Gehry's spectacular twisting titanium-clad modern art museum is perhaps the most celebrated building of the 1990s, even starting what would be called the 'Bilbao-effect': The idea in urban planning that a star-quality building can single-handedly change the entire image of a city. Although this effect is unproven in its pure form, the Guggenheim nevertheless changed the world wide perception of Bilbao. The graceful, sensuous curves, evocative of the ships that used to be ubiquitous along the docks of Bilbao, are covered in titanium squares, which resemble the scales of a fish and shimmer in the sunlight. In keeping with the maritime theme, appropriate for the setting, the skylights of the largest gallery (formerly known as the Fish gallery) are designed to look like the fins of fish. Many parts of the building are purely decorative, and don't serve any purpose. The permanent collection is not particularly impressive, but the museum always hosts at least one interesting temporary exhibit, frequently comprised of masterpieces from the other Guggenheim collections. Adults €13.00; students under 26: €7.50; children under 12: free. 
  • 🌍 Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía (Museo Reina Sofía / Reina Sofía National Museum and Art Center), C/ Santa Isabel, 52 (Madrid, Spain). Housed in a former public hospital with an adjacent modern wing, this museum contains Spain's largest collection of 20th century art. It includes many of Pablo Picasso's most revered works including his renowned Guernica. The Reina Sofía also houses masterpieces by other Spanish masters including Joan Miró, Salvador Dalí, Juan Gris, and others, as well as works by a number of international artists, including Vasily Kandinsky, Paul Klee, Francis Bacon, and more.
    Purchasing tickets in advance online will give you a discounted entry (€6 for adults, €3 for special exhibits), as well as a way to beat the queues. During free admission periods, it is still required to pick up a ticket at the ticket office; these times are especially busy and it best to arrive a bit before the free period actually begins. Photography is permitted, except in the room with Picasso's Guernica and the other rooms adjacent to it. Backpacks are not permitted, but there are free lockers after both entrances (in the older and modern wings).     (updated Jan 2017)
  • 🌍 Château de Montsoreau-Museum of Contemporary Art, Château de Montsoreau F-49730 (Montsoreau, France), e-mail: . UNESCO World Heritage site Housed in the first castle of the Loire to have been built, this museum contains the world's largest collection of Art & Language works, assembled by Philippe Méaille during the last 25 years. Art & Language is a british art movement that has invented and deeply influenced conceptual art and music. The museum includes most famous works of Art & Language, including their renowned Mirror piece, and hosts at least two temporary exhibitions of contemporary artists a year, and many conferences. Photography is permitted. Backpacks are not permitted, but there are free lockers after entrance. (updated Jun 2018)
  • 🌍 Tate Modern, London.  
  • 🌍 National Gallery, Oslo. featuring Edvard Munch's The Scream  
  • Paris: 🌍 Musée d'Orsay   contains Impressionist and early Modernist works. 🌍 Centre Pompidou   contains post-modern works.
  • Prague: 🌍 DOX - Centre for contemporary art.  
  • Stockholm Metro: The urban rail system of Sweden's capital has an impressive art collection.
  • 🌍 Millesgården ([ˈmɪlˌəsˈgoːɖən]), Herserudsvägen 32 (Lidingö outside Stockholm, Sweden), ☎ +46 8 446 75 90. Open M-Su 11:00-17:00 15 May-30 Sep, Tu-Su 12:00-17:00 1 Oct-14 May.. The former residence and studio of world-renowned sculptor Carl Milles (1875-1955). His own work is showcased in an outdoor park with an astounding view of Stockholm Harbour. The indoor section displays Milles' collection of ancient Roman sculptures, along contemporary Swedish and international works.  
  • 🌍 Van Gogh Museum, Amsterdam. featuring the largest collection of Van Gogh's paintings and drawings in the world  
  • 🌍 Moscow Museum of Modern Art. (updated Nov 2018)
  • Glasgow International Art Festival. 2-3 weeks in April / May of even years. A biennal modern art festival in about 60 venues around the city. The modern art exhibits are in regular galleries and a variety of temporary exhibition spaces. Glasgow also has a good Gallery of Modern Art open all year. free. (updated Jan 2018)

North America

United States

Canada

Mexico

Asia

Africa

South America
  • 🌍 Inhotim. (updated Nov 2018)
  • 🌍 Museum of Contemporary Art of Rosario. (updated Nov 2018)

Oceania

Buy
See also: Art and antiques shopping

Purchase of high-value art usually takes more knowledge than can fit into an article.

For copyright reasons, replicas of modern art usually cost more than replicas of older art.

Respect

While in many countries the copyright of art expires 70 years after the artist's death (applying to most 19th century art), reproduction of newer art is usually restricted. Photographing the art might be prohibited.

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See also
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