Formalism and Modernism

I. Discuss the idea of ‘formalism’ in relation to Whistler‘s, Nocturne and Cezanne‘s, Madame Cezanne. The term ‘formalism’ applies to any type of artwork in which the artist places emphasis solely on form rather than allegorical or contextual qualities. In this mode of artistic creation the main goal of the work is the effective organization of the elements of art through the principles of design. It can also be considered nearly synonymous with …

…in portraying three-dimensional objects on a two dimensional surface. This innovation was clearly a boon to the entire art world. As with all of Modernism, Picasso and Gauguin’s work led the way to the truly abstract realm of art. The leaps and bounds made by the modernists were the first steps toward real expression of the higher mind within the medium of paint on canvas and, therefore, justify their departure from the naturalist tradition.