Styles & Periods

• Artists
• Styles & Periods
• Associations
• Glossary
• Projects
• Purchase Guides

Minimalism

Minimalism developed out of a reaction to modernism and its emphasis on the painting. Instead, by reducing their field of vocabulary to only the most essential components, minimal artists, quite often sculptors, reintroduced the importance of shape. The illusion inherent in Old Masters’ works and the emotional expression of paintings in the 1950s was discarded by the minimalists, in favor of the supremacy and timelessness of objects in their environments. The minimalist movement stems from several moments in the history of art. The abstract geometry of Kazimir Malevich, the machine-like forms of Constantine Brancusi, and the Spatialism of Lucio Fontana all contributed to artists working within minimalist ideals. Some leaders include sculptors Carl Andre, Tony Smith, Donald Judd, and painters Frank Stella and Ellsworth Kelly. In traditional painting, the presence of a human hand and a personal vision are often evident. In Minimalism, modules of color, shape or materials are used to build the artwork, resulting in a finished product that is free from overt narrative.

Some Artists In This Style

Frank Stella
(1936-)

Feeling inspired? Try out these fine products…

From $13.03 System 3 Acrylic Pad by Daler-Rowney Practice makes perfect	Up to 40% Off 300 Series Sketch Pads by Strathmore Proven and affordable	From $29.99 How to Create Encaustic Art by Schiffer A guide to painting with wax.
Up to 40% Off Classic Cream Drawing Pad by Canson Old-fashioned sketching	Up to 52% Off Pro Series Stretched Canvas by Fredrix The absolute best	Up to 50% Off Series 965 Golden Nylon & Natural Hair Wash Brushes by Winsor & Newton Perfect for watercolor washes