For a long time, Paris held the position of the Art Center of the world. However, over time, New York City slowly debased that title, dethroning Paris and taking the position of the Art World's epicenter. In this blog I will explore how this happened, the dates, and significant events that defined this transition from Paris to New York City.
King Louis XIV of France was a world leader who used his power to promote art and culture. He established the Académie Royale, which became the leading institution for the training of artists. He also commissioned many works of art, and he used art to decorate his palaces and other buildings. As a result of Louis XIV's patronage, France became the art capital of the world in the 17th and 18th centuries.
In the 19th century, Paris was the undisputed center of the art world. The city was home to some of the greatest artists of the time, including Edward Manet, Claude Monet, Pierre-Auguste Renoir, and Edgar Degas. In the early years, Paris attracted artists from all over the world, Picasso became famous there, and many more would inspire to travel to Paris to study at some of the prestigious art academies the world had to offer.
Throughout the 20th century, Paris continued to dominate the art world, with a focus on post-impressionism, surrealism, and cubism. However, as the century wore on, a new art movement began to emerge in the United States that would eventually take the world by storm - Abstract Expressionism.
Abstract Expressionism was a radical movement that fully embraced abstractionism. It's characterized by large canvases, bold colors, and bold brushstrokes, avant-garde techniques that are unconcerned with figurative or representational concepts. The movement was a game-changer and marked a clear deviation from the status quo, which eventually led to Paris losing its central position to New York City.
The movement began in the 1940s, with the work of artists such as Jackson Pollock, Willem de Kooning, and Mark Rothko, who were based in New York City. These artists painted sensational pieces that were both massive in terms of sheer size and in concept. Due to the democratic nature of the art form, Abstract Expressionism caught on rapidly, causing critics and art enthusiasts to take notice. New York City rose as a formidable art center, matching and even surpassing esteemed galleries in Paris.
In 1950, the Museum of Modern Art in New York City held a huge exhibition, titled "Abstract Painting and Sculpture in America," that featured the works of all the leading Abstract Expressionist artists, instantly putting New York City on the map. By the 1960s, New York City had firmly taken hold of its position as the Art Capital of the World, and collectors clamored to acquire groundbreaking pieces as part of their collections.
Today New York City still wears the crown as the the cultural art capital of the world; a hub for creativity, innovation, and experimentation. With a wealth of galleries, museums, theaters, and world-class artists, New York City serves as a cultural center that attracts millions of tourists every year. From the Metropolitan Museum to the Museum of Modern Art to the Guggenheim Museum and the Whitney Museum of American Art, New York City offers an impressive collection of art from all over the world. Alongside its galleries and museums, New York City also boasts a vibrant cultural scene that includes the Broadway theater district and a variety of music venues. With such a strong artistic pedigree, it's no wonder that New York City remains at the forefront of cutting-edge artistic exploration and expression.
The rise of Abstract Expressionism marked a significant turning point in the evolution of the worldwide art collective, obliterating the centuries-old reign of Paris as the cultural hub. New York City's emergence as the Art Capital of the World marked a significant turning point in art history, which we celebrate to this day.
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