Modern art opens up a broad spectrum of innovation and movements that cropped up in the mid-19th century. The Industrial Revolution ushered in a series of changes in the society, thereby forming the platform for a series of movements. These movements have left a huge impact on the art and culture of the contemporary period. For instance, the 20th century has witnessed a huge influx of new artistic techniques and materials, not to mention the modes of expression!

The history of modern art can be traced to a group of French artists who broke from the formal, realistic art of their contemporaries thus introducing the movement of Impressionism. Notable among the Impressionist painters were Edouard Manet, Claude Monet, Edgar Degas, Camille Pissarro and Pierre Auguste Renoir of France and Alfred Sisley of England. Impressionists, through the dramatic use of light and color, introduced a whole new approach to art. The tradition became highly popular and evolved to give rise to a number of Post-Impressionistic movements.

Hailed as one of the prime Post-Impressionistic movements, Fauvism, believed in the use of simplified designs in combination with an "orgy of pure colors". The famous artists during this period were Henri Matisse, Andre Derain, Maurice de Vlaminch, Kees van Dongen and Raoul Dufy. The German form of Fauvism is known as Expressionism.

In 1880, there emerged a new elaborate style of art called Art Nouveau. The painting of Gustave Klimpt, whose stunningly adorned, often mysterious women became the rage of the time. The Art Deco Movement can be regarded as a follow-up style of the Art Nouveau. The great artist, Pablo Picasso, heralded the tradition of Cubism- an art form favoring geometrical forms and fragmentations.

The following period saw a number of artists revolting against the contemporary art forms, which they considered as obscure and sophisticated. Andy Warhol led the movement to Pop Art. His works featured the portraits of renowned personalities, which he reduced to almost cartoon-like simplicity. Amongst the other art movements of the 20th century, Surrealism, Abstract Movement, and Op Art Movement (Optical Art) are significant.

The contemporary scenario of modern art still continues to be inspired by all the art styles, beginning with Impressionism. The dynamic nature of this creative genre is hopeful of evolving and reaching new heights in future.