Concepts and Problems in the Visual Arts, Lecture H8: When did modernism begin?

About this video

• Video Title: Concepts and Problems in the Visual Arts, Lecture H8: When did modernism begin?
• Channel: James Elkins
• Speakers: James Elkins
• Duration: 00:26:45

Overview

This lecture explores the complex question of when modernism in visual art began. James Elkins discusses four main theories, examining different historical periods and artistic movements that have been proposed as the starting point for modernism. He emphasizes how defining this beginning impacts our understanding of art history and an artist's place within it.

Key takeaways

• Defining Modernism's Start is Crucial: The beginning of modernism is a debated topic with significant implications for how art history is understood and how artists connect with their practice.
• Renaissance as a Potential Start: One theory suggests modernism began during the Italian Renaissance, marked by the emergence of art criticism, the idea of artistic innovation, multiple styles coexisting, and the concept of art history itself.
• French Revolution Era: Another perspective places the start of modernism around the French Revolution (1790s), citing Jacques-Louis David's "The Death of Marat" as a pivotal work due to its originality, reliance on immediate context (contingency), and secular nature.
• Monet's "Olympia" as a Catalyst: Édouard Manet's 1865 painting "Olympia" is presented as another potential starting point, recognized for its anti-academic technique, challenging subject matter (prostitution), and the unresolved tension between its form and content.
• Cézanne and Picasso's Influence: A more recent view points to the early 20th century, specifically artists like Cézanne and Picasso, as the beginning of modernism. This perspective emphasizes a move towards simplification, abstraction, and a separation of visual and tactile experiences in art.