A Brief Timeline of 20th Century Visual Art Movements

A comprehensive list of the most well-known visual art movements during the 20th century, spanning two world wars and several cultural revolutions.
Feb 19, 2020 • By Charlotte Davis

The 20th century saw a new era of visual artists who challenged the precedent art styles. Beauty and aesthetics gave way to abstraction, expression and symbolism. This metamorphosis formed numerous distinct and important art movements which presented a new type of aesthetic, some which overlap with or influenced the others. Below is a broad overview of the most influential visual art movements during the 20th century, excluding some of those shorter-lived or lesser known.

Fauvism (1905-1908)… Etc