40 Popular Types Of Art: Styles And Movements

"Art" is simply human creations that express ideas, emotions, or beauty. Art uses different mediums and techniques to evoke experiences, challenge perceptions, or simply delight the senses of the viewers.

There are different forms of art. For example, visual arts, performing arts, and literary arts. Every art movement expresses ideas and emotions.

This is where the various art styles stem from. The desire to express ideas in a unique way has led to more than 50 types of art movements.

The types of art include various art styles and art movements such as Abstract Expressionism, Art Deco, Art Nouveau, Avant-garde, Baroque, Bauhaus, Classicism, CoBrA, Color Field Painting, Conceptual Art, Constructivism, Cubism, Dada / Dadaism, Digital Art, Expressionism, Fauvism, Futurism, Geometric, Harlem Renaissance, Impressionism, Installation Art, Minimalism, Naturalism, Neo-Impressionism, Neoclassicism, Neon Art, Op Art, Performance Art, Photorealism, Pop Art, Post-Impressionism, Precisionism, Rococo, Romanticism, Spiritual Art, Street Art, Surrealism, Suprematism, Symbolism, and Zero Group. 

The types of arts, including different artistic styles and artistic movements, are described below:

Abstract Expressionism: Abstract expressionism is the art style in which emotions are splashed onto the canvas through abstract forms and energetic brushwork.

Art Deco: Art Deco refers to geometric shapes, bold colors, and luxurious motifs reflecting the Jazz Age.

Art Nouveau: This art movement involves organic forms inspired by nature with flowing lines and muted elegance.

Avant-garde: Avant-garde artistic movement requires the artist to push artistic boundaries and challenge traditional forms. 

Baroque: Baroque is an art style characterized by dramatic lighting, religious themes, and opulent grandeur.

Bauhaus: Bauhaus is all about merging art and function with geometric forms and emphasis on practicality.

Classicism: Classicism can be defined by idealized beauty, balance, and harmony inspired by Greek and Roman art.

CoBrA: CoBrA is the art covering the expressionist movement in Europe after WWII with childlike spontaneity.

Color Field Painting: Color field painting refers to large-scale abstract works focusing on the emotional impact of color.

Conceptual Art: In conceptual art, the artwork takes precedence over its visual form.

Constructivism: Constructivism is defined as geometric sculptures and abstract paintings that celebrate the machine age.

Cubism: Cubism is an art style involving fragmenting objects into geometric shapes to show multiple viewpoints.

Dada / Dadaism: Dada or Dadaism as an art style rejects traditional aesthetics through nonsensical and playful works. 

Digital Art: Digital art is an art style that is created or manipulated using digital technology.

Expressionism: Expressionism, as an art movement, distorts reality to convey emotional experience.

Fauvism: Fauvism is using bold, non-naturalistic colors to express emotions.

Futurism: Futurism refers to the glorification of speed, technology, and movement.

Geometric: Geometric is an art movement that emphasizes geometric shapes and forms.

Harlem Renaissance: Harlem Renaissance can be defined as an artistic movement celebrating African American culture during the 1920s-30s.

Impressionism: Impressionism refers to capturing the fleeting effects of light and atmosphere.

Installation Art: Installation art is the artwork that transforms a space and involves the viewer.

Minimalism: Minimalism is a style of art that requires using essential elements to create simple and stark works.

Naturalism: Naturalism is creating art that depicts nature realistically and objectively. 

Neo-Impressionism: Neo-impressionism refers to the use of small dots of pure color to create a shimmering effect.

Neoclassicism: Neoclassicalism is the revival of classical ideals and forms in the 18th and 19th centuries.

Neon Art: Neon art refers to the use of neon lights to create sculptures and signs.

Op Art: Op art is the style of painting that creates visual illusions through optical effects. 

Performance Art: Performance art is the art movement that uses the artist's body or actions as the medium.

Photorealism: Photorealism is characterized by paintings that are so realistic that they resemble photographs.

Pop Art: Pop art refers to everyday objects and mass culture imagery used in fine art.

Post-Impressionism: Post-impressionism is an art style that builds on Impressionism with a focus on structure and symbolism.

Precisionism: Precisionism entails sharp-edged, realistic paintings that depict modern life and technology.

Rococo: Rococo is a playful, decorative art style with light colors, curves, and mythological themes.

Romanticism: Romanticism is defined as an art movement emphasizing emotions, imagination, and nature.

Spiritual Art: Spiritual art is the art movement that is intended to evoke a spiritual or religious experience.

Street Art: Street art is artwork created in public spaces, often with a social or political message.

Surrealism: Surrealism refers to juxtaposing dreamlike imagery and irrational elements to explore the subconscious.

Suprematism: Suprematism is an artistic style referring to abstract geometric compositions using basic geometric forms.

Symbolism: Symbolism is a form of art created by using symbols and metaphors to convey deeper meanings.

Zero Group: Zero group is a post war European art style characterized by used light, space, and simple materials to explore new artistic possibilities.

Abstract Expressionism

Abstract expressionism is an artistic movement in which emotions take center stage with large scale, abstract works. The term ‘action painting’ is often used when talking about it because it requires the use of energetic brushstrokes and gestural marks.

Abstract expressionism started in the late 1940s in the United States. This art movement was influenced by post-WWII American artists like Jackson Pollock and Mark Rothko. Some popular art styles include One: Number 31 by Jackson Pollock, Rothko Chapel paintings by Mark Rothko, and Woman I by Willem de Kooning.

Art Deco

This artistic movement is a mix of modernity and luxury. It combines geometric forms, rich colors, and lavish materials to evoke a sense of glamor, progress, and opulence. Art Deco emerged in the early 1910s and flourished during the 1920s and 1930s. It drew inspiration from various types of art styles like the Early 20th Century Modernism, Cubism, Art Nouveau, and The Machine Age.

Some infamous art styles paintings from Art Deco include Autoportrait by Tamara de Lempicka, American Progress by Jose Maria Sert, and Victoire by René Lalique.

Art Nouveau

Art Nouveau incorporates sinuous curves and organic forms inspired by plants, flowers, and insects, creating a sense of harmony and movement. It emerged in the late 19th century.

Similar to Art Deco, this art movement wasn't a product of a single source. It was a confluence of artistic movements in the late 19th century, such as Japanese Art (Ukiyo-e), Romanticism, and Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood. The Kiss by Gustav Klimt, Primavera by Sandro Botticelli, and Casa Batlló by Antoni Gaudí are famous art styles from this era.

Avant-Garde

Avant-garde styles of art are characterized by experimentation, unconventional materials, and radical ideas to challenge the status quo, provoke thought, and redefine the very concept of art itself. The term originated in the military context in the Middle Ages, referring to the "advance guard" soldiers scouting ahead of the main army. 

Romanticism, Industrial Revolution, Social and Political Upheavals, and Philosophical Movements influenced its beginning. Les Demoiselles d'Avignon by Pablo Picasso, Guernica by Pablo Picasso, and Fountain by Marcel Duchamp are still famous.

Baroque

Baroque art movement refers to grandiose compositions, dramatic lighting, and religious themes. The term "Baroque" originated from the Medieval Latin word "baroco," used to describe a complex and flawed argument. This art style emerged in late 16th century Italy. 

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HEADING: Art Styles That Stem From Baroque 

CONTENT: 1. Rococo

2. Neoclassicism 

3. Romanticism 

Its beginning was influenced by a mix of historical and artistic factors like Counter-Reformation, Renaissance Legacy, and Theatrical Influence. Popular types of art from Baroque include The Ecstasy of Saint Teresa by Gian Lorenzo Bernini, Las Meninas by Diego, and David by Michelangelo.

Bauhaus

This influential 20th-century design movement originated at the Bauhaus school in Germany. It emphasizes functionality and clean aesthetics. Bauhaus’s main principle is to prioritize an object's practical purpose over purely decorative elements.

The term has German origin. Bau translates to building, and Haus translates to house. So, it literally means "building a house." The Bauhaus movement was influenced by De Stijl, The Machine Age, and Mr. Walter Gropius. Gropius House, Universal typeface, and Posters originated during the Bauhaus.

Classicism

Classicism is one of the art types that hark back to the ideals of ancient Greece and Rome. It emphasizes balance, harmony, and idealized beauty, with focus on realistic figures, clear compositions, and mythological themes. 

Classicism is primarily a movement of the 17th, 18th, and early 19th centuries. The rediscovery of ancient Greek and Roman texts laid the groundwork for its beginning. Popular artistic styles from Classicism include The Death of Marat by Jacques-Louis David, The Oath of the Horatii by Jacques-Louis David and Venus de Milo.

CoBrA

The term CoBrA is an acronym for Copenhagen, Brussels, and Amsterdam. It emerged in response to the devastation of World War II. It championed a return to childlike spontaneity and embraced bold colors, expressive brushstrokes, and symbolic imagery. 

This art movement officially began in 1948 and disbanded around 1951. Its key influences were Surrealism, Primitive Art, and Existentialism. Notable works include Questioning Children by Asger Jorn, Composition by Karel Appel, and Fête Nocturne by Corneille.

Color Field Painting

Color Field Painting emphasizes large areas of flat, saturated color. In this art style, emotions and mood take center stage, with minimal use of figures or objects. It emerged as a distinct style in the mid-20th century.

Mark Rothko's early use of large, color-saturated rectangles on canvas is often seen as a pivotal moment in its development. Some popular Color Field Paintings include No. 61 & Seagram Mural, PH-147 & 1957-P, and After Hours.

Conceptual Art

Conceptual Art movement uses everyday objects, actions, or performances to convey a message or spark a reaction. This art movement emerged in the mid-20th century.

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HEADING: The Best Conceptual Artists in 21st Century

CONTENT: 

Marina Abramović 

Kara Walker 

Theaster Gates 

Sophie Calle 

Barbara Kruger 

Its beginning can be traced back to Henry Flynt and Sol LeWitt. Henry Flynt coined the term "concept art", describing it as art where the concept takes priority over traditional artistic skills. Sol LeWitt also published a paragraph defining conceptual art in 1967. The Fountain, One and Three Chairs, and I ♥ NY are famous conceptual art styles paintings.

Constructivism

Constructivism embraces geometric forms and industrial materials. This style of art aimed to create utilitarian objects and sculptures that celebrated the machine age. It emerged as a distinct movement in the early decades of the 20th century. 

Sculptors Antoine Pevsner and Naum Gabo, known for their geometric metal sculptures, coined the term "Constructivism" around 1920 in their "Realistic Manifesto." Notable constructivist creators include Vladimir Tatlin, El Lissitzky, Alexander Rodchenko, and Kazimir Malevich.

Cubism

Cubism is one of those types of art that turn shattered objects into geometric forms, presenting multiple viewpoints on a single plane. This results in a fragmented yet dynamic composition.

Cubism is primarily an art movement of the 20th century. In 1908, a French art critic named Louis Vauxcelles saw a painting by Georges Braque and mockingly referred to it as "bizarreries cubiques," which translates to "bizarre cubes." Cubism originated from there. Popular Cubist artworks include Guernica, Violin and Candlestick, and Head of a Woman.

Dada / Dadaism

The Dada art movement rebelled against traditional aesthetics and reason. It embraced irrationality, humor, and chance, often using collage, found objects, and satire to challenge the status quo. It began in 1916.

In 1916, at the birth of Dada in Cabaret Voltaire, a dictionary was opened at random, and "Dada" (meaning "hobby-horse" in French) was chosen, embodying the movement's nonsensical spirit. Ultimately, it became a symbol of the defiance of established meaning. Infamous Dadaism artworks include Fountain (1917), L.H.O.O.Q. (1919), and Merzbild (1919).

Digital Art

Digital Art uses technology to create art. It encompasses a wide range of techniques, from computer-generated graphics and animations to digital painting and sculpting. It is often interactive. Digital Art is primarily an art movement of the late 20th century.

The rise of Digital Art happened because of Computer Science advancements, Fluxus movement, and a changing cultural landscape. Famous digital art styles painting include "The Next Day" by Robbie Barrat, "Allegory of the Cave" by Nancy Bechtol, and "Data Dreams" by Casey Reas and Noah Bre.

Expressionism

Expressionism emphasized emotional expression over realistic depiction. Expression artists use distorted forms, bold colors, and intense brushwork to convey their inner anxieties and psychological experiences. The term "Expressionism" emerged in Germany around the early 1900s when art critic Julius Meier-Graefe used it to describe a group of artists whose work emphasized expression over naturalism.

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HEADING: How To Spot Expressionism Paintings?

CONTENT:

- Bold colors, distorted forms, and visible brushstrokes.

- Subjective interpretation, emotional intensity, and lack of detail.

- Unconventional composition, use of symbolism, and personal experience influence.

- Rejection of strict realism in favor of subjective expression.

The rise of Expressionism wasn't due to one person or movement, but a combination of Post-Impressionism, Fauvism, German and Austrian anxieties, Primitive Art, and Psychoanalysis. The Scream (1893), The Kiss (1907-08), and Sorrow (1910) are popular creations.

Fauvism

This artistic movement emphasizes bold, non-naturalistic colors to evoke emotion rather than realistic depiction. The styles of art feature simplified forms and brushwork, creating a visually striking and emotionally charged effect. 

The term "Fauvism" originated in 1905 when Louis Vauxcelles used the term "les fauves" (meaning "the wild beasts") to describe the radical works exhibited by Henri Matisse. 

Henri Matisse and Paul Gauguin are the leaders of Fauvism. Matisse's bold use of color and Gauguin's paintings from Tahiti influenced others. Famous works include Dance (I) (1909), Bathers at Collioure (1905), and Port of Lorient (1905).

Futurism

Futurism refers to glorified speed, dynamism, and technology. It depicts motion and energy through dynamic compositions, fragmented forms, and overlapping planes, aiming to capture the essence of the modern world.

The term "Futurism" was coined in 1909 by Italian poet Filippo Tommaso Marinetti, who published the "Manifesto del Futurismo". "Futurismo" translates directly to Futurism in English. So, it's primarily an art movement of the 20th century.

Popular works include Dynamism of a Dog on a Leash by Giacomo Balla, Red Slippers by Constantin Brâncuși, and Armored Train in Action by Gino Severini.

Geometric

Geometric types of art styles emphasize the use of geometric shapes like squares, circles, triangles, and lines to create compositions. These compositions can be representational or abstract, but always focus on form and structure.

The origin of the term is a bit hazy, but it likely emerged in the early 20th century. It is inspired by multiple factors, including Egyptian Art, Greek Vase Painting, Islamic Art, Non-Western Art, and Artistic traditions from Africa, the Americas, and Oceania. The Step Pyramid of Djoser is the most famous geometric artwork.

Harlem Renaissance

Harlem Renaissance testing

The origin of the term is a bit hazy, but it likely emerged in the early 20th century. It is inspired by multiple factors, including Egyptian Art, Greek Vase Painting, Islamic Art, Non-Western Art, and Artistic traditions from Africa, the Americas, and Oceania. The Step Pyramid of Djoser is the most famous geometric artwork.The origin of the term is a bit hazy, but it likely emerged in the early 20th century. It is inspired by multiple factors, including Egyptian Art, Greek Vase Painting, Islam