Learn about the mould breakers
The artists who pushed the boundaries and broke the rules
This is a very eventful period in the history of art. Many art movements and innovations came and went, driven by 20th century artists determined to make their mark in a radically changing world. Learn about the lives of these incredible artists.
Art is part of life – it helps us to understand the world
Artists experimented with new approaches to perspective. They discovered different ways of representing the world we see. These radical developments by 20th century artists reflected and were influenced by economics, industry and social unrest. This century saw the development of abstraction, expressionism post modernism and so much more.
For more comprehensive biographies, videos and other information about great 20th century artists, check out my art history website.
Featured Art History tutorials
The painter of the tortured soul
A star of British painting
Documented the Black experience
A pioneer of American painting
The creative genius of his time
He changed our view of the world
Explore the life stories of other famous 20th century artists
- The great Belgian surrealist artist : Rene Magritte
- The Polish artist who was the darling of the Roaring Twenties : Tamara de Lempicka
- The very eccentric English artist : Stanley Spencer
- Known as the painter of ‘Matchstick Men : L S Lowry
- Known as the painter of love : Marc Chagall
- The Picasso of India : M F Hussain
- One of the pioneers of Abstraction : Piet Mondrian
More art history tutorials you may be interested in
Art history provides a means of understanding our human past and its relationship to our present. The knowledge and inspiration gained contributes to how we feel, see and understand the world around us.
- The 19th century artists who inspired modernism? Learn more.
- Some of art history’s great female artists . Find out more.
Inspired by Art History?
Want to learn more about the lives of influential artists? What motivated and inspired them to create their art? The problems they encountered and the battles fought to achieve success. Their lives are intriguing.
