"Modern Art" which simply implies the distinction between the past and present, was born during the 19th century with the realist and impressionist movements which took place in France. Impressionism was a movement that came about as a result for the search of freedom, the disregard of notions and constrictions, the revolt against the conventional. There are many traits that distinguish classical Academic art from impressionist art. I will focus mainly on two of those aspects which in my opinion are the most striking and characteristic of this new-born era. The drastic change in the aim of creating on the...
new-born era, among the most important are subject matter: the shift from portraying idealised or mythical figures to the everyday life of ordinary people, and painting technique. The later portraying a change in brushstrokes that have become visible and which brought forward all background elements that previously gave depth to the painting. "Birth of Venus" and "A Bar at the Folies-Bergere" were used to contrast those respective changes. Impressionism was a huge leap in the world of art; a leap that took centuries to happen but had such an impact that it altered the world of painting for ever.