PROGRESSIVE ERA ART HISTORY

      At the start of the 20 th century during the progressive era changes came in to all parts of life in American people. The changes happening during this time were in political, musical, industrial and artistic aspects of life. Many of the famous artist in this period in American history became known as the prominent figures of American Art during

   1890-1830 which is also known as the Progressive Era. Some of the artist of the Progressive Era were Thomas Eakins, Winislow Homer, Marry Cassatt, Whistler and Grant Wood they were some of the leaders of American Art   at this time.

       A Big art movement in America at the time was impressionism which was led by Thomas Eakins and Mary Cassatt. Impressionism is an art style that was created in Europe. The characteristics of impressionism are open composition, visible brushstrokes, emphasis on light and also the movement of human perception. Eakins was a great example of impressionism in America because of his painting " Max Schmitt In A Scull" that painting was a major contribution to impressionism and realism. Mary Cassatt was also a very influential artist of this era and impressionism because of her painting "La Toilette" which inspired many other artist who where doing impressionism because of the way she uses all the techniques of this art style.

        Impressionism was not the only art style present in the Progressive Era another style was landscape art. Landscape art is an art form which focuses on nature such as mountains, valleys, trees, rivers and the sky. Winslow Homer one of the memorable artist of America. His paintings include watercolors and Harsh nature. Some of his most recognizable paintings are "Cloud Shadow", "Sunlight on the Coast" and "After the Hurricane".

        Grant Wood is a very skillful artist and he is considered one of the best artist among modern American artist. Wood follows many different styles of painting and movements. He has painted landscapes, regionalism and impressionism and he also painted one of the most famous American paintings ever "American Gothic" because he involved all aspects of the progressive era and Aspects of the great depression.

         The Progressive Era was a very important movement for art. Impressionism, landscape art and realism gave future art styles great inspiration to advance on. New art that came out of the Progressive Era are abstract, expressionism, pop art, new realism and Neo-Dada. Many artist were also influenced by this time such as Andy Warhol, Robert Raushenberg, Agnes Martin, Jasper Johns and Edward hopper. The Progressive Era is a Time period that will never be forgotten because of all the inspiration that it brought to modern day artist.

Internet Sites

1) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Progressive_Era

2)http://bss.sfsu.edu/cherry/cultlexp/art.htm

3)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/grant_wood

Book Source

American pagent: David M. Kennedy, Lizabeth Cohen, Thomas A. Bailey