Early Modern Art and WW1

 WW1 and its Influence on Early Modern Art

There were many influences on Early Modern art, but the most interesting is the influence of World War One. Before the war, many artists were trying to break away from the strict rules under art. You can see this change when you look at art from the end of the Romantic era because there is a shift in the aesthetic representation. Of course, most of this shift had to do with the fact that young men were laying down their lives at war, and artists were too horrified to paint impressions of light and entertainment. Obviously, the war shook the art world to its core, but the destruction of traditional values inspired artists to rebuild. This is when new styles such as Dada, Surrealism, De Stijl, and abstract sculptures emerged. There are a few characteristics of Early Modern art that can help you identify it such as innovation and experimentation with shapes, colors, and lines. In addition, there was some rejection of history and conservative values.  

"Soldiers" by Emil Nolde
Germany, 1913

This oil on canvas painting was created around the time that WW1 broke out in Europe. For many artists and non-artists, the mood was pretty divided: "apocalyptic sentiment and a fear of conflict had gripped some, but others were longing for the war to purge society of its ailments" (Deutsche Welle). I believe this painting illustrates the divided emotions around WW1 perfectly because the emotions felt while viewing this piece can be different for each person. For me, I feel a bit of fear when I view this piece because there are rows of soldiers carrying their guns ready to fight. Even though I'm married to a wonderful soldier, it still makes me nervous to see something like this because war is so unpredictable. This is a great example of Early Modern art because we can already see the shift in the aesthetic representation compared to the end of the Romantic era. The lines and shapes are more abstract and the colors are much darker. 

"The Fallen Man" by Wilhelm Lehmbruck
Germany, 1916

Wilhelm Lehmbruck was a German sculptor who became inspired by the war and created this sculpture which represents "man's vulnerability against the destructive forces of war" (Deutsche Welle). Lehmbruck was so traumatized and unsettled by his experience in WW1 that he, unfortunately, died of suicide shortly after creating this piece. When I learned this about him, my emotions about this sculpture changed a lot. At first, it seemed like this "fallen man" was surrendering at war because he was so tired. After learning about Lehmbruck's death, I now see a fallen man being weighed down by the harsh realities of war, so traumatized and too tired to get up and keep going; he was suffering. If anything, this man wasn't surrendering from war, he was surrendering from life. 

"Apocalyptic Landscape" by Ludwig Meidner
Germany, 1913

This oil on canvas painting is actually part of a series that depicts the anticipation of the destruction of WW1 and how it affects people's lives and homes. There is so much detail in this one piece, if you look closely you can see terrified figures fleeing from danger, the skies and buildings are on fire, and black smoke fills the empty spaces from the fire. The lines in this piece appear to be almost energetic and intense; like there's a lot of aggression which exhibits the anxiety and fear many had envisioned of the future. The helpless figures seem to seek shelter, but there isn't really anywhere safe to go anymore, "bodies and land are indistinguishable; everything is wounded and confused" (AIC). Meidner does a wonderful job illustrating this fear everyone was feeling about WW1, it captures the impending doom. 

Elements of Art 

Before the war, many artists were trying to break away from the strict rules under art. You can see this change when you look at art from the end of the Romantic era because there is a shift in the aesthetic representation. Early Modern Art was a rejection of history and conservative values because many artists were tired of the conformity and old traditions of art; they wanted to break free. When World War One began, many artists were in shock and became very traumatized, however, they took this opportunity to create a new style of art. Early Modern Art has a mix of straight and broken lines which appear to be intense and jagged. Even though the lines are a bit sharp, the texture of the paint strokes seems soft. In addition, the colors during this era are much darker and more depressing. Of course, war is depressing and you can most definitely feel those emotions of fear and uncertainty when you look at these pieces. 

Works Cited.  

“Apocalyptic Landscape .” Art Institute Chicago, www.artic.edu/artworks/198864/apocalyptic-landscape.

Farrell, Jennifer. “Art as Influence and Response: A First Look at World War I and the Visual Arts.” The MET, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 16 Oct. 2017, www.metmuseum.org/blogs/now-at-the-met/2017/world-war-i-and-the-visual-arts-introduction.

“Modern Art and World War I.” DW, Deutsche Welle, 4 Oct. 2014, www.dw.com/en/modern-art-and-world-war-i/g-17558156.