For those who find beauty in paintings of pretty landscapes, or sculptures of chivalrous knights, or books with detailed maps of the world and its history, art is a source of enjoyment. But art also reflects the dynamism of culture and human society; it reflects the power of social forces to transform or destroy societies, and to shape the way we see the world around us. That’s why it is important to understand how art has changed over time and what makes some work of art incredible, or not.
When the power of the church and aristocracy declined in the 17th century, a new group of wealthy secular people developed. They had the money to purchase artworks, and they created marketplaces where artists could promote themselves and sell their creations. This ushered in the modern art movement, and it allowed a small number of artists to redefine what was “art.”
A key concept was that art could no longer be defined by rules, like perspective or realistic colors; it had to be free of any rule and be purely expressive. Pablo Picasso and Georges Braque broke with tradition to create a form of cubism that was more expressive than representational. Dada challenged the notion that art had to be “sensible,” depicting nonsensical scenes. And Jackson Pollock and Helen Frankenthaler smashed the boundaries of what could be considered art by splashing macho streaks of paint on the canvas.
But even as artists began to redefine what was “art,” they still needed a guide to help them recognize it. So they turned to what was already there, and what had always been there: the art world itself. They argued that only those things that the art community – artists, critics, and art historians – agreed were “art” would qualify. This became known as Institutionalism, and it opened the door for a whole new generation of painters to declare their work as art.
The underlying issue is that once a work leaves the artist’s studio, it becomes the property of everyone who sees it. It can be loved or hated, significant or trivial, but it is no longer the artist’s to define for posterity. This has made many artists frustrated. It is one reason why so many of them have written manifestos, or tried to establish a “true art” that could stand against the tides of change. In short, they wanted to make sure that art always remained incredible. They were worried that without this, it might become humdrum and lose its appeal. They were right to be concerned. But they were also wrong to think that this was the only way to ensure that art remained incredible. It was never that simple. Art has always been about the human experience, and it is that which continues to inspire people to produce and appreciate it. So, while some works are indeed extraordinary, they have been rare, and will continue to be. For more on this topic, check out 50 Artists You Should Know.