Visual Art

During the 1920s, modernism became the norm in the art world. Modern art is a representation of the world that is less than literal. Photography had been invented, so the need for realistic paintings was no longer there. Artists began coming up with new ways to show how they viewed the world. The painting on the right is Geopoliticus Child Watching the Birth of New Man by Salvador Dali.


Beneath the umbrella of modernism, surrealism tries to express "the true function of thought, defying all logic and lies outside any normal or moral interpretations of life." Surrealists had vivid imaginations and were extensively creative. Two examples of surreal artists are Salvador Dali and Max Ernst, who painted The Golden Eye as pictured on the left.

Sources: http://www.allbuyart.com/art-movement-surrealism.asp
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Introduction: Historical Context of 1920s Art

Post war prosperity greatly influenced the art of this time period. The United States' economy was booming, influencing the art of the time.
Surrealism came into existance, as well as art deco. African American art became popular during the Harlem Renaissance, which took place in the 1920s. The inkblot test which is used in psychology was also devolped during this time period.
Above is the art of the 1920s broken into different categories.

Sources: http://www.1920-30.com/art/
http://php.scripts.psu.edu/users/m/a/mas53/timln920.html