In simple form, abstract art is a visual representation of form, color, shape and line in such a way that it triggers imagination as it is independent from visual references in the world. abstract art aims to give freedom to the viewer to have their own interpretation of the art. Today famous artist websites are full of abstract paintings as it is usually the most favorite painting style of artists. Let us dwell further in how abstract art originated:
Abstract art in early cultures:
In the earliest cultures, one can observe that any signs or marks on textiles, inscriptions and paintings were simple. Looking at Islamic calligraphy or Chinese calligraphy, one can immerse in the art without even being able to read it.
19th century:
Romanticism, expressionism and impressionism served as basis of abstract art development. Artistic independence advanced during 19th century. A painting Nocturne in black and gold: the falling rocket by James McNeill Whistler laid emphasis on visual sensation and that provided hint of abstract art development. Expressionist painters made bold use of paint surface by drawing distortions and exaggerations. They created paintings that triggered emotions.
Moreover, in the late 19th century, the mystical teaching by Georges Gurdijeff had an important influence on development of geometric abstract style painting.
20th century:
Paul Gauguin and Vincent van Gogh gave way to further strengthening of abstract art in 20th century. In the early 20th century Henri Matisse along with pre-cubist Raoul Dufy and Georges Braque brought revolution in Paris art world through their expressive landscapes and multi-colored painting called Fauvism.
Fauvism gave rise to abstraction. Pablo Picasso was the first one to make cubist painting. In 1912 work of several artists including Sonia Delaunay, Robert, Orphism was interpreted to be a sole creation of artists and the painting was created from no elements taken from visual sphere. The Rayist drawings of Mikhail Larionov and Natalia Goncharoya used lines such as rays of light. Kasimir Malevich completed his first abstract art work, the Suprematist ‘Black Square’. Piet Mondrian evolved his abstract language.
Music:
As visual art starts becoming abstract art, it starts to steal characteristics of music. Wassily Kandinsky was keen to resound the soul through associative colour. Abstract artists in Russia became constructivists and believed that art was not remote but it was life.
The Bauhaus:
The Bauhaus was founded by Walter Gropius. The philosophy underneath worked to unite visual and plastic arts from painting and architecture to stained glass and painting.
1930’s and 1940’s:
In 1930’s Paris hosted artists that made use of geometric forms. Some artists applied mathematical ideas to sculpture making.In 1940’s cubism, expressionism and abstraction were represented in New York. The famous group of American artists came to be known as Abstract expressionists. By the end of 1940, work of Arshile Gorky and Willem de Kooning’s figurative work was evolved into abstraction.
21st century:
With the arrival of digital technology, all art forms were influenced by it. Barnett Newman and Agnes Martin along with other artists exemplified the main themes of abstraction such as transcendental, the contemplative and timeless.
So, be it art galleries in Dubai or any other part of the world, abstract art is highly prevalent and admired by viewers.
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