What is the difference between Modern and Contemporary art?

What are the differences between Modern and Contemporary art?

As a gallery owner, I am regularly asked what is actually the difference between modern and contemporary art. In this blog, I will explain where the differences lie.

Modern art: revolutionary changes

Modern art begins in the late 19th century and rocks until the 1960s. We are talking about a time when artists like Picasso, Van Gogh and Dali entered the playing field and shook things up considerably. They said goodbye to traditional techniques and began to experiment. Impressionism, cubism, abstract expressionism, surrealism: you can’t think of anything that doesn’t have its origins in this period. Modern art was a real gamechanger!

Contemporary art: the here and now

From the 1960s to today’s art, that’s what contemporary art is all about. This art form is perhaps even more diverse than modern art. Pop art, minimalism, postmodernism, conceptual art – it all falls under the umbrella of contemporary art. This art form is truly of today, responsive to what is happening in the world, and unafraid to embrace new technologies and media.

The main difference

If you want to capture the difference between modern and contemporary art in one sentence, remember that modern art refers to a specific historical period. Contemporary art, on the other hand, is more of a continuous, changing playing field that responds to current society.

Contemporary art: from painting to NFT

Contemporary art has many faces. It can be a painting, a sculpture, an installation, a performance, and even digital art such as NFTs. But what exactly are NFTs, and how are they changing the art world? We regularly get questions about this too, so perhaps I’ll devote a separate blog to that soon.

Conclusion: art enriches

At Amersfoort Art, we want to celebrate the beauty and diversity of both modern and contemporary art. It doesn’t matter if you like Picasso or Warhol, painting or photography – there is something here for everyone. Stay tuned for more insights into the art world and discover how art can enrich our view of the world.

Keywords: Modern Art, Contemporary Art, Amersfoort Art, Art Gallery, Art History, Art Movements, Picasso, Van Gogh, Dali, Warhol, Hockney, Hirst, NFTs.