What is the Difference Between Modern Art and Postmodern Art?

The main differences between modern art and postmodern art can be summarized as follows:

1. Era: Modern art emerged during the movement of Modernism, from roughly 1850 up to 1950. In contrast, postmodern art emerged during the movement of Postmodernism, from approximately 1950 up to the present day.
2. Philosophy and Ideology: Modern art is characterized by idealism, a belief in reason and progress, objectivity, and a focus on universal truths. Postmodern art, on the other hand, embraces skepticism, relativity, and personal experiences.
3. Form and Expression: Modern art often emphasized simplicity, elegance, and minimalism, while postmodern art is more likely to embrace complexity and even contradictions. Modern art remained strongly connected to traditional art forms, such as painting, drawing, or sculpture, while postmodern art explores new media, like installation, video, and performance.
4. Approach to Art: Modernist artists aimed for originality and artistic purity, while postmodern artists abandoned the notion of originality and focused on the deliberate use of mechanical or quasi-mechanical means, de-skilling, and mass production.

Comparative Table: Modern Art vs Postmodern Art

Here is a table comparing the differences between Modern Art and Postmodern Art:

Modern Art, which took place during the movement of Modernism, focused on the creative ability of the artist and the deep meaning in their works. It emphasized universal truths, objectivity, and progress. In contrast, Postmodern Art, which occurs during the movement of Postmodernism, is more focused on commentary and skepticism, with an emphasis on relativism and subjectivity. Postmodern artists often use imagery from popular culture and mass media, and their works are influenced by technology and media.