Activity 3.3 Art Movement Presentation

Activity (Module) 3.3

1. Art Movement Presentation:

In small groups, research a specific art movement and present its characteristics, historical context, and key artists. Include visual examples and analysis.

Impressionism: Painting Light and Life

Time Period: Late 19th century (1860s–1880s)

Location: France (especially Paris)

Context:

      • Reaction to the rigid rules of                academic art taught in salons.

      • Influenced by industrialization,             urban life, and photography.

      • Artists wanted to capture                    moments of everyday life with            spontaneity and natural light.

Characteristics of Impressionism

•Visible, short brushstrokes

•Bright, unmixed colors

•Outdoor (plein air) painting

•Focus on light, atmosphere, and       movement

•Everyday subjects – city scenes, landscapes, people at leisure

Loose and open composition

Key Artists

1. Claude Monet

       •Father of Impressionism

       •Famous Work: Impression,                  Sunrise (1872)

       •Focused on light and natural                landscapes

2. Edgar Degas

       •Known for painting dancers and          capturing movement

       •Often painted indoors using                unusual angles

3. Pierre-Auguste Renoir

       •Painted people and social                    scenes

       •Warm colors and joyful mood

Visual Examples & Analysis

🎨 Impression, Sunrise by Claude Monet

•Brushwork: Loose, sketchy

•Color: Cool blues, warm orange sun

•Theme: Momentary impression of sunrise over the port

•Impact: Gave the movement its name

🎨 Dance Class by Edgar Degas

•Composition: Cropped edges, asymmetrical view

•Technique: Pastel and oil

•Theme: Real-life moment of ballerinas in practice

 Legacy

Broke traditional rules and opened the path for Modern Art

Inspired Post-Impressionism (e.g., Van Gogh)

Impressionism remains one of the most popular and accessible art movements today

Conclusion

Impressionism captured fleeting beauty in everyday life

It changed the way we understand light, color, and perception

Encouraged freedom and individuality in art

 Sources & References

Art history textbooks

Museum websites (MoMA, Musée d'Orsay, etc.)

Online resources like Khan Academy or The Art Story

2. Comparative Analysis:

Compare two art movements (e.g., Baroque and Minimalism) in terms of their themes, techniques, and societal influences. 

Write a reflective essay based on your analysis.

Comparative Analysis Essay: Baroque vs. Minimalism

Introduction

     Art shows us what people think, feel, and believe during different times in history. The Baroque art movement, which began in the 1600s, and Minimalism, which started in the 1960s, are very different in style and purpose. Baroque art is full of emotion, detail, and drama. Minimalism is the opposite—it’s simple, clean, and focused on the basics. In this essay, I will compare these two art movements by looking at their themes, techniques, and what was happening in society when they were created.

Themes

     Baroque art often showed religious stories, powerful emotions, and grand scenes. It was meant to impress people and make them feel something strong—like fear, wonder, or love. Many Baroque artworks were used by the Catholic Church to bring people back to religion during the Counter-Reformation.

     Minimalism, on the other hand, focused on simplicity and clear design. Minimalist artists didn’t want to tell a story or show feelings. They just wanted people to see the art as it is—shapes, space, and materials. The goal was to remove extra details and focus only on the essentials.

Techniques

     Baroque artists like Caravaggio used strong contrasts between light and dark (called chiaroscuro), rich colors, and a lot of detail to make their paintings look alive. Sculptors like Bernini made marble statues that looked like they were moving.

     Minimalist artists like Donald Judd and Frank Stella used simple shapes, often made with industrial materials like metal or plastic. They used straight lines, repeated forms, and avoided showing the artist’s hand. Their work often looked very modern and clean.

Societal Influences

     Baroque art was influenced by religion, kings, and the power of the Church. It was used to show strength, wealth, and faith during a time of change and conflict in Europe.

     Minimalism came from a very different time—after World War II, when people were tired of too much emotion in art and everyday life. It was influenced by technology, factories, and a fast-changing world. Artists wanted to slow things down and make people think more deeply by showing less.

Reflection

     Looking at these two movements side by side helps me understand how art responds to the world. Baroque art is full of life and emotion, while Minimalism is calm and thoughtful. I personally like Minimalism because it feels peaceful and clear, but I also admire the skill and beauty of Baroque art. Both are powerful in their own way.

Conclusion

     Even though Baroque and Minimalism are very different, both show how artists react to the world around them. Baroque is dramatic and emotional, while Minimalism is simple and quiet. They remind us that art can be big or small, loud or soft—but it always has something to say.

3. Creative Application:

Create a work of art inspired by a historical art movement. Write a short explanation of how you incorporated the movement's characteristics into your piece.

Title of Artwork: "Fragmented City"

🎨 Art Movement: Cubism

     My artwork, "Fragmented City," is inspired by the Cubist art movement, especially the work of Pablo Picasso and Georges Braque. I used geometric shapes like triangles, rectangles, and sharp lines to break apart the image of a city skyline into different perspectives and angles. Instead of showing the buildings in a realistic way, I made them look like pieces of a puzzle, rearranged in a way that shows different sides at the same time.

     I also used muted colors (grays, browns, and blues) to reflect the Cubist style and give the piece a serious, thoughtful mood. This approach helped me show how busy and chaotic cities can feel—almost like they are many places in one.

     Through this artwork, I tried to capture how Cubism looks beyond surface appearances and lets us see things from multiple viewpoints all at once.