Modern Art is a form of visual expression that challenges traditional categories of aesthetics and content. Until the late nineteenth century, most art adhered to a naturalistic and representational approach. Impressionism, a branch of modern art, introduced non-naturalistic colour schemes and opened up new realms of creativity. Likewise, Cubism broke down the idea of depth in painting and opened the door to more abstract art. This trend paved the way for a variety of avant-garde movements, such as Futurism, Pop-Art, and Conceptualism.

Art can also serve social causes. It has been used to raise awareness of issues such as cancer, ocean conservation, human trafficking, and human rights in Darfur. While many forms of art serve a practical or decorative purpose, some are intended to serve ritualistic or cosmological purposes. In this sense, art is an important part of human culture, and can be an important tool for social change.

Although art has no universal definition, it is a conscious creation that requires skill and imagination. It is an enduring form of human expression. Over the centuries, the value of art has fluctuated. A painting by Jean Basquiat recently sold for $110.5 million at a Sotheby’s auction, while a Renaissance masterpiece would have received only a fraction of that amount. The word “art” is derived from the Latin word “ars” (skill). It is thought that the first use of the word art dates back to the thirteenth century. Hence, art has existed in Western culture since the founding of Rome.

The development of art and its influence on the modern world has had a profound impact on human life. Historically, art has contributed to the development of standardized tools and processes. It has also helped us discover chemical reactions, as well as the scientific discoveries. But as with anything, art reflects the culture and time period in which it was created. Thus, primitive African art and prehistoric murals cannot be compared to Michelangelo’s Old Testament frescoes in the Sistine Chapel.