| So what's the difference? This is a basic question, | | | | 1940's in the abstract expressionism movement with |
| and a little confusing to answer because the terms | | | | Jackson Pollock at the helm. Because abstract art is |
| "contemporary," "modern," and "abstract" can be used | | | | a style of painting and not a classification of an art |
| interchangeably at times. Let us start with "modern | | | | period, abstract paintings are still being created today. |
| art." Modern art is a classification of an art period | | | | And that brings us to right now. Right now we use |
| that started around 1870 by Impressionists like Claude | | | | the term "contemporary" to define artwork as being |
| Monet. It is understood that modern artists are those | | | | created in our lifetime or in the current present |
| who experimented with new ways of seeing, | | | | moment. So any paintings being created right now |
| expressing new ideas and methods. But technically | | | | are contemporary paintings no matter what the style. |
| the modern art movement ended around the 1960's | | | | What has happened is that people generally use |
| and 70's when the term "postmodern" started to be | | | | "contemporary art" to describe artwork from the |
| used and pop art became the new thing. | | | | 1970's until now. It is hard, if not near impossible to |
| Abstract art is a style of painting a departure from | | | | define a period while we are living in it. One might |
| reality and was definitely modern at the time. | | | | wonder, will we always use the word "contemporary" |
| Abstraction in paintings started to make the scene | | | | to describe the artwork being created in the present |
| right around the same time modern art became known | | | | moment? Or will there be an end to the use of the |
| because it is a painting style classified in the modern | | | | word "contemporary" signifying an end of another |
| art movement. But full blown abstract paintings really | | | | artwork period very similarly to how "modern" was |
| started appearing early 1900's in Europe by the likes of | | | | used. I don't know. But in any case, I hope this |
| Pablo Picasso and others in the cubism movement. | | | | information has helped and not confused you even |
| Abstract art really was not created in America until the | | | | more. |