19th Century
The 19th century was a period of radical rebellion and rapid change in the art world. It began with the strict, heroic rules of Neoclassicism, but artists quickly pushed back. First came Romanticism, which favored intense emotion and the raw power of nature. By the middle of the century, Realism shocked the traditional art establishment by choosing to depict ordinary, working-class people instead of kings or mythological gods. As the Industrial Revolution transformed society, the later half of the century saw the birth of Impressionism. These artists left their dark studios to paint modern life and fleeting moments of sunlight outdoors. Finally, Post-Impressionists like Vincent van Gogh took these ideas even further, using bold colors and thick paint to express deep personal emotions. Overall, the 19th century completely broke the traditional rules of art and laid the foundation for modern art.