Art Movements: History, Types, List of Art Movements

In this article, we will be covering the different Art movements holding significance to NID-DAT examinations and other DAT examinations conducted by various institutions, both public and private. This section has frequently been asked under the general awareness section of the examination for questions from different art movements. Read the complete article to know more about different art movements and art movements timelines.The Art Movements here are classified as Indian Art Movement and Western Art movements asked frequently.

Major Indian Art Movements

1. Indian Bengal School of Art

At the beginning of the 20th century, the Bengal School of Painting was born out of contrast to Western academic painting styles. The famous painter Abanindranath Tagore was heading this movement to bring back Indian creative traditions and focus on the Indian themes and methodologies for making natural pigments and mythological subjects. The movement played an important role in India’s campaign to create a sense of National identity.

2. The Baroda Group

The Baroda Group was founded in the 1950s at the Baroda famous Maharaja Sayajirao University, close to Indian traditions and reality and socially attached to Indian societies. By adopting modernist techniques, renowned artists such as Bhupen Khakhar and K.G. Subramanyan depicted contemporary subjects and helped to overcome the gap between Global modernism and Traditional Indian Art Styles.

3. Indian Madhubani Art

Mithila celebrates the traditional art of Madhubani, which originated in Bihar. It differentiates itself by its intricate patterns and vivid use of colours. Its distinguishing style depicts a sense of cultural legacy and nature, imbibed in mythology from the stories of everyday life. It is practised by women on the walls and floors during the festivals.

4. Indian Tanjore Painting

Tanjore paintings originated from the southern part of India i.e. Tamil Nadu and are known for their vibrant colours, rich surface creation, and compact composition styles. This is the celebrated South Indian Art Form, which typically utilised motifs inspired by Hindu gods and goddesses, blending the devotion in the art form to represent the cultural and religious heritage by using materials like gold foils to create a perception of 3-dimension.

5. Indian Progressive Artists' Group

The Progressive Artists' Group in Bombay started in 1947. They showed what made India after gaining independence. Artists like F.N. Souza and M.F. Husain used modern techniques. They mixed local themes with styles from around the world. Thanks to their efforts, due to them contemporary Indian art started flourishing.

Important Western Art Movements

1. Greek Art Movement

Greeks’ art bloomed between the 8th and 1st century B.C. Paid much attention to beauty, balance, & natural looks; It had a great impact on the western art. Due to this civilising process and vast context, this movement embraced human body and mythology in sculptures, pottery and buildings.

2. Roman Art Movement

From about the 1st century BCE to the 4th century CE, Roman art showed realism and usefulness. The mighty Roman Empire used sculptures, mosaics, & large buildings to show off its power. They borrowed many ideas from Greek art too.

3.Egyptian Art Movement

Egyptian art existed for more than three thousand years! It was characterised by rather singular & symbolic elements. It was preoccupied with afterlife a lot of the time. Great pyramid and elaborated paintings of tombs were characteristic features of this epoch. Statues underlined such notions as order, stability, deities, etc. The Great Sphinx of Giza is a perfect example of this movement, which reconstructs the past with few of the original features of Egyptian sculpture.

4.Gothic Architecture

Gothic architecture popped up in the 12th century. It’s easily recognised by tall arches, flying buttresses, & ribbed vaults. The goal was to create awe and bring people closer to God through light & height—just look at those beautiful cathedrals with their colourful stained glass!

5. Italian Renaissance Art

The Italian Renaissance happened between the 14th and 17th centuries. This period brought back humanistic ideas and techniques from classical times. Artists created fantastic works in painting, sculpture, & building that celebrated human skills & our world.

6.18th Century Art

In the 18th century, Neoclassicism emerged, focusing on ancient architecture's grand yet simple styles. Rococo also became popular during this time with intricate decorations and playful designs! These movements reflected both reason and escapism that were present in society.

7. Cubism

Cubism began in the early 20th century! This new style changed visual art completely by showing objects from multiple perspectives—at once! It broke away from traditional views by highlighting geometric shapes & abstract designs.

8. Abstract Expressionism,

In the period of the 40s and the 50s Abstract Expressionism dominated the American art scene. This movement made artists paint feelings in creation—usually, raw and free; some artists used bright colours and vigorous compositions to depict the spirit and novelty

9. Surrealism in Art

Surrealism started in the early 20s and deals with the creative aspect of our subconscious minds! Some artists painted dreamlike objects which blur the actual reality by juxtaposing unrelated things. The style in question has affected visual artistry, literature and film in the international arena.

10. Neoclassicism

Neoclassical style emerged when Italy uncovered the city of Pompeii in the eighteenth century. This referred to art revival that was centred on paintings and sculptures pertaining to the Greek and Roman mythology which replicated temple designs, thus reintroducing classicism.

Conclusion

For the aspirants who are willing to perform well in the DAT exams, it is important to understand that the awareness of these art movements assist one to put into a critical thinking process on how the artistic skills developed through the social cultures. It enables the student to understand more about the power stories of Art movements & styles that revolutionised the whole concept of contemporary art and its forms. It is also important for students to understand the timeline of art movements.