Module 10: Modern Art – Post‑Cubism to 1980

This module guides you through the turbulent and revolutionary era of Modern Art — from post‑Cubist experimentation through avant‑garde developments, abstraction, expressionism, Dada, Surrealism, Pop, Minimalism, Conceptual Art and beyond to 1980. You will explore how global upheaval, social change, technological advances and evolving philosophies shaped modern artistic expression over decades.

Why This Module Matters

The 20th century up to 1980 saw art redefined: boundaries between media blurred, traditions challenged, global perspectives expanded, and art began to reflect rapid social, political and cultural transformation. Studying this module helps you recognize how movements such as Expressionism, Dada, Abstract Art, Pop, Minimalism and Conceptualism responded to and shaped their times.

• Recognize the defining movements and stylistic innovations in Modern Art from post‑Cubism to 1980.
• Understand how war, social upheaval, technological change and global exchange influenced artistic production.
• Develop analytical tools to analyze artworks across media — painting, sculpture, photography, conceptual and mixed media.

By the end of Module 10, you’ll be able to interpret major modern artworks, understand the historical and cultural context behind them, and appreciate the diversity and complexity of 20th‑century art.

What You’ll Learn

• Post‑Cubist & Avant‑Garde Movements
  How early modern movements responded to upheaval.
• Dada, Surrealism & Metaphysical Art
  The breakdown of traditional values for the irrational, the subconscious and the conceptual.
• Mid‑Century Abstraction & Expression
  From Abstract Expressionism to Post‑Painterly Abstraction — mid‑century abstraction.
• New Trends
  How art engaged with consumer culture, politics, identity, media, and evolving art itself.

What You’ll Do

• Analyze Key Movements
  Study key artworks to understand each movement’s techniques, form, and intent.
• Compare Across Movements & Media
  Contrast styles and approaches across painting, sculpture, conceptual and mixed media works.
• Contextualize Art Historically
  Contextualize works, noting war, modernity, globalization, and social change.
• Trace Influence & Legacy
  See how post‑1980 contemporary art builds on modern art’s legacy.

Module Content

This module covers the following topics:

• Introduction
• Cubism & Post‑Cubist Avant‑Garde (Vorticism, Futurism, Russian Avant‑Garde, Abstract Art)
• Expressionism & German/French/Austrian Schools
• The Bauhaus & Neo‑Plasticism
• Dada, Surrealism & Metaphysical Painting
• Abstract Expressionism, Hard‑Edge & Post‑Painterly Abstraction
• Pop Art, Op Art & Nouveau Réalisme
• Minimalism & Conceptual Art
• Neo‑Expressionism, Arte Povera, Photorealism
• Conclusion

Module Outcomes

By completing Module 10, you will:

• Understand the major movements that defined Modern Art between post‑Cubism and 1980.
• Be able to analyze artworks across different media and styles in their historical and cultural contexts.
• Recognize how global events, societal change, and technological progress shaped modern art’s evolution.
• Have a strong foundation to appreciate and interpret contemporary art informed by modern art’s innovations and legacy.

Guidance Every Step of the Way

Our expert tutors provide Module 10‑specific guidance, helping you analyze modern artworks, contextualize them within their political, social, technological and cultural environments, and recognize the significance of modern art movements and their legacy. With personalized feedback, tutors will support you in developing a deep, informed appreciation of 20th‑century art and build the critical vocabulary to engage with contemporary visual culture confidently.