Most people understand that there are different movements within the world of art history – impressionism, cubism, realism, etc. But did you know that there are also defining moments in art history? These moments ring through time, changing the way we see art forever.
With that in mind, let’s take a few minutes to talk about some of these iconic moments and their impact on art and art history – not to mention our culture as a whole.
American Gothic
One of the most significant works of 20th-century American art is Grant Wood’s “American Gothic.” In this special Moment in Art History, we’ll be examining the painting and learning more about the artist.
British Artists During World War II
The First World War significantly changed how people viewed art in the UK. Many of the country’s artists refused to let the event pass them by and instead signed up to serve in the war.
During the First World War, artists such as Kennington were sent to various locations in different parts of the world. One of these places was France. During the first winter of the war, the temperatures in the area were extremely cold. At one point, he spent almost four days without sleep due to the harsh weather.
In 1915, he almost lost his entire foot due to an infection. He was then discharged from the army, but he came back as an official war artist. After volunteering with the Red Cross, he worked at a casualty clearing station.
During the war, he witnessed the horrific effects of artillery fire, which left hundreds of dead and wounded people. He also got rheumatic fever, forcing him to leave the army. Like Kennington, he went back to war and became an official artist. Many more British artists risked their lives to create art pieces that brought back fragments of Europe.
Da Vinci Paints the Mona Lisa
Leonardo da Vinci created one of the most famous works of art during his time, the Mona Lisa. He was a polymath who made significant breakthroughs in various fields, such as painting and mathematics. The painting was commissioned by the artist’s wife, Lisa. Unfortunately, it was stolen in 1911. The security at the Louvre was reportedly so lax that it didn’t realize that the painting had been stolen for a whole day.
An Italian artist named Vincenzo Perugia was apprehended after he tried to sell “American Gothic” to the Uffizi gallery in Florence.