Modern European Art in Context, C. 1850-1950

3 units

When displayed against pristine white gallery walls, modern art may seem detached from everyday reality. However, modern artists responded strongly to the drastic technological, social, economic, political and cultural changes that transformed Europe from 1850-1950. The period between the revolutions of c. 1848 and the end of World War II therefore witnessed the rapid development of new artistic styles and movements. This course considers movements ranging from Realism, Impressionism, Post-Impressionism, Fauvism, Expressionism, Cubism, Dada, Surrealism to the Bauhaus. By practicing careful visual analysis of artworks-including painting, printmaking, photography, sculpture and architecture-and weighing the historical contexts in which they were created, it aims to clarify the relationship between modernist aesthetics and modern life. No prerequisites. Does not count towards the Art History major.