50 Art Movements You Should Know: From Impressionism to Performance Art (50 You Should Know)

The latest volume in this beautifully produced and affordable series introduces readers to the major developments in the history of modern art—from Realism to the New Leipzig School. The story of modern art begins with a revolution—when the realists started rejecting romanticism in favor of depicting life as it really was. Since that movement began in the mid- 19th century, painters have been rebelling, rethinking, deconstructing, and challenging notions of what art is. Filled with stunning reproductions of some of the world’s greatest masterpieces, this reference book offers a chronological journey through artistic revolutions. Each movement is presented in a series of informative presentations—a concise definition and description; full-page and smaller detailed color illustrations; and in-depth profiles of the artists crucial to the style’s development. Covering a wide range of movements both familiar and obscure, this accessible and informative volume is a perfect introduction for readers interested in art’s constantly evolving story.

ROSALIND ORMISTON is an art and architectural historian. She writes for the online arts magazine Cassone and is the author of books on Leonardo, Michelangelo, Rembrandt, Van Gogh, Edward Hopper, Art Deco, and Art Nouveau.