Analyzing Key Art Movements Through Iconic Paintings
The Shootings of May 3rd, Goya (Early 19th Century)
Spanish Painting, Neoclassical Period with Romanticism elements.
Goya anticipates contemporary art and expressionism, depicting the horrors of war. This painting, part of a series on the war of independence against Napoleonic France, portrays the execution of Spanish rebels on May 3, 1808. It’s a powerful protest against conflict and human suffering.
Composition: Four distinct groups – the firing squad, those awaiting death, the central figure raising his arms, and the dead. The lantern creates dramatic contrasts of light and shadow, emphasizing the emotional intensity.
The Angelus, Jean-François Millet (19th Century)
Realism
Reflects the rise of the bourgeoisie and industrialization. Millet, along with Courbet and Daumier, focused on social issues and the lives of the working class.
Subject: Two farmers praying in a field at the end of the day. The scene is idealized and poetic, elevating the everyday to a spiritual level.
Technique: Simple composition, with a focus on the figures against a serene landscape. The golden light adds a mystical quality.
Impression, Sunrise, Claude Monet (1874)
Impressionism
Marks the beginning of the Impressionist movement, emphasizing light and color over realistic representation. The painting captures the port of Le Havre in the morning mist.
Technique: Loose brushstrokes and pure colors create a vibrant, dynamic effect, capturing the fleeting moment.
Starry Night, Vincent van Gogh (Late 19th Century)
Post-Impressionism
A highly emotional and expressive landscape painted during Van Gogh’s psychiatric crisis. The swirling sky and distorted forms convey his inner turmoil.
Technique: Thick, impasto brushstrokes and vibrant colors create a sense of movement and intensity.
The Scream, Edvard Munch (Late 19th Century)
Expressionism
A pioneering work of Expressionism, reflecting anxiety and psychological distress. The distorted figure and swirling colors convey a sense of primal fear.
Technique: Bold, non-naturalistic colors and strong lines create a powerful emotional impact.
Guernica, Pablo Picasso (1937)
Cubism
A powerful anti-war statement depicting the bombing of Guernica during the Spanish Civil War. Picasso uses Cubist techniques to convey the chaos and suffering.
Technique: Fragmented forms, monochromatic palette, and symbolic imagery create a haunting and unforgettable image.
Marilyn Monroe, Andy Warhol (1960s)
Pop Art
Reflects the consumer culture of the postwar era. Warhol uses silkscreen printing to create multiple images of Marilyn Monroe, blurring the lines between art and mass production.
Technique: Bold, flat colors and simplified forms create a graphic, iconic image.
Fagus Factory, Walter Gropius and Adolf Meyer (20th Century)
Functionalist/Rationalist Architecture
A landmark of modern architecture, characterized by its use of glass and steel. The building reflects the principles of the Bauhaus school, emphasizing functionality and simplicity.
Design: Glass facade supported by steel columns, creating a light and airy interior. The building embodies the idea of form following function.