Abstract Art

Abstract art can be either a painting or sculpture. It that does not depict a person, place or thing in the natural world, even in an extremely distorted or exaggerated way. Therefore, the subject of the work is based on what you see: color, shapes, forms, lines, brushstrokes, size, scale and, in some cases, the process (see action painting). Abstract art began in 1911 with such works as Picture with a Circle (1911) by the Russian artist Wassily Kandinsky (1866-1944).

Wassily Kandinsky "Picture with a Circle" - Oil on Canvas

Abstract art began in 1911. Some of the first works were "Picture with a Circle" painted in 1911 by Wassily Kandinsky. This type of art can either be a painting or a sculpture. It does not exactly depict something (a person, place or nature), not even in distortion or exaggerating ways. It is what the artist sees, could be a colour, shapes or size and scale, brushstrokes even. This type of art challenges the emotions of the viewer to stop trying to understand what the artist meant and instead make his own interpretation.

Artists always looked for new ways for expressing their worlds. The 20th century brought technological developments that demanded a bigger response. More progressive and new thinking had to be applied to art. This is when Cezanne, Matisse and Picasso begun to move away from the traditional paintings to abstract. Kandinsky quickly followed when in 1911 he produced his work in complete abstract. In France, artist Robert Delaunay started moving away from his usual Cubist-art to the more colourful world of Abstract. This was evidently shown in the new energy and vibrancy and experimentation with primary colours in his work.  

 11A-Jackson Pollock

Brown, Blue, Brown-Mark Rothko

Not mentioned. (2014). What is Abstract Art?. Available: http://arthistory.about.com/od/glossary_a/a/a_abstract_art.htm. Last accessed 3rd January '14.