There’s something about Minimalist Art that makes it so captivating. Perhaps it’s the clean lines and simple shapes. Whatever the reason, Minimalist Art has a certain appeal that can’t be denied. If you’re interested in learning more about this movement, this guide is for you.
We’ll explore the history of this type of art, as well as how it influenced the art world today. We’ll also take a look at some of the most famous minimalist artworks. So whether you’re an artist yourself or just appreciate the beauty of simplicity, read on to learn all about it.
If you want to know more about the pioneers of this movement, I can recommend this article to you: Minimalist Artists: Pioneers Of The Movement
The development of Minimalist Art
The art movement originated in the 1950s and 1960s in the United States of America and is defined as a style that uses simple, clean forms and lines. The goal of minimalism is to strip down the work to its essentials, to create a work that is free of distractions and superfluous elements.
Minimalism can be applied to many different types of art, including painting, sculpture, architecture, photography, and even music. While it is often associated with the art of the 1960s, minimalist aesthetics have their roots in earlier movements such as De Stijl and Bauhaus. Some of the pioneers of this movement were Donald Judd, Robert Morris, Carl Andre, Agnes Martin, and many more.
What you see is what you see
Quote on Minimalist Art by Frank Stella
The movement was a reaction against the excesses of Abstract Expressionism, the dominant artistic movement of the time, which was focused on symbolism and drama. Well-known representatives were, for example, Jackson Pollock or Franz Kline.
And although the movement was a rejection of the abstract expressionist movement, the Russian avant-garde of the 1910s and 1920s, such as Constructivism and Suprematism, were very influential in the development of Minimalist Art.
Artists, such as Kazimir Malevich (the founder of Suprematism, which advocated reduction to the simplest geometric forms in the service of illustrating ‘highest’ human cognitive principles) were creating artworks reduced to the essentials as early as the 1915s.
The rise of a movement
But it was not until the end of the 1950s that a group of artists sought to create art that was more grounded, more rational, and more ordered. They believed that by simplifying their work, they could create a more powerful visual impact.
It was about getting viewers to have an immediate and pure visual response to their art, without thinking about what it might represent. The artists believed that this would create a personal connection with the art and that viewers would engage with its qualities more.
Frank Stella for example, an artist who was once part of the abstract expressionist movement, is most well-known for his Black Paintings – For some viewers, his monochromatic paintings still define the artist as a minimalist. He was only 23 when he first displayed four of his Black Paintings at the Museum of Modern Art in New York in 1959 (see picture below right).
In 1962, a book on the Russian avant-garde, The Great Experiment in Art was published by Camilla Gray. This book brought the concerns of the Russian avant-garde movements to a wider audience and helped inspire more and more artists¹.
Furthermore, the 1966 exhibition „Primary Structures“ at the Jewish Museum in New York inspired the movement. In 1968, works of American Minimal Art were shown in Europe for the first time as part of an exhibition tour of the same name.
How Minimalist Art influenced the art world
Even though there were many controversies about the art movement, Minimalism has had a profound impact on the art world, and its influence can still be seen in many contemporary artists.
Minimalist Art has been influential in both the fine art world and the world of design. In the fine art world, it has led to the popularity of abstract and conceptual art. In design, it has influenced everything from architecture to fashion. The impact can be seen everywhere in our modern world. It is a style that has been embraced by many and has become an integral part of our visual culture.
My favorite books* on Minimalist Art
My thoughts
Minimalist Art has had a major impact on the art world. Today, it is still being made, and its simplicity continues to resonate with viewers. If you want to see how artists are creating minimalist art these days, feel free to check out the art category.
While Minimalism is often associated with cold and impersonal art, the best works of the movement are actually quite engaging and thought-provoking. By stripping away all the distractions, Minimalism allows the viewer to focus on the essentials of the work, and to see it in a new and different light.
The best minimalistic works are those that are able to say more with less, and that can convey a powerful message with simplicity.
Further reading
¹ https://www.tate.org.uk/art/art-terms/m/minimalism
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minimalism
https://www.moma.org/collection/terms/minimalism
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