Art movements

Art movements are groups of artists who share a common aesthetic, philosophy, and approach in their work. Art historians often use this term when the artists involved have a defined theory or manifesto guiding them. Sometimes, the term "artistic current" is used to describe broader trends and styles that emerge over time. They can either be defined by the artists themselves or identified later by art critics and historians.

An art movement can originate from various sources. It might form around a leading artist whose style and ideas attract followers (e.g. the Caravaggisti, stylistic followers of the Baroque artist Caravaggio). Artists who shared similar training or backgrounds might form a movement or a "school" (e.g. the Pont-Aven School was a group of artists who settled in Pont-Aven, a town in Brittany, France, in the 19th century). More frequently from the 20th century to the present day, they may originate from a specific text or manifesto that outlines a new aesthetic philosophy (e.g. Filippo Tommaso Marinetti's Futurist Manifesto).

These movements can be named in multiple ways. Some directly take their names from their place of origin, especially when they are art colonies, like the Barbizon School from France. Others, like Impressionism, are named after a critical remark or joke. In some cases, a movement might be named after a prominent artist, like Caravaggism. Art categorization can be more often than not arbitrary. Most art movements, especially those that predate the 19th century, were named by art critics and historians reflecting on historical trends.

Art Periods[]

Art Periods are longer spans of time in art history where certain styles and ideas dominated the art world. They can encompass several different art movements with shared characteristics. For example, the Renaissance period, spanning roughly from the 14th to the 16th centuries, started with European society looking back on classical art and philosophies, which led to advancements in perspective and the development of realism. But it is not a single aesthetic; it includes various movements that share similar sensibilities, such as the Early Renaissance, High Renaissance, and Mannerism.

Art Colonies[]

Art Colonies are communities of artists who gathered together in specific locations. Art movements belonging to this category are often named after their town of origin. For example, the Barbizon School in France was known for its landscape painting and influenced Realism, while the Newlyn School from Cornwall, England, focused on depicting the daily lives of local fishermen.