The history of art can be said to be a series of movements, and this definition is misleading when one expects movements to be thought of as solid categories that have definite end and start. In practice, the movements in art are more appropriate as the overlapping discourse of artists who react to similar cultures, technological developments and philosophical concepts. Every movement comes about as a result of discontent with current methods and a need to seek new methods of perceiving and articulating reality. In knowing about art movements, we have the opportunity to observe how art thinking changes over a period and how artists keep on redefining the use of art.

Realism emerged in the 19 th century in response to idealized and romanticized images that reached the fore in earlier traditions. The realist artists attempted to portray simple human beings, simple life, and simple surroundings. Instead, they concentrated on rural scenes, laborers and urban life as opposed to heroic or mythological themes. Such a change was an indication of social awareness and the reality of industrial society. Realism was concerned with sincerity and straightforward observation. Artists wanted to show the world as it was, without beautifying and dramatising it.

Impressionism was formed in response to the rigidity of academic painting to some degree. Impressionist artists did not focus on the minute detail as much, but rather in the moments of sunlight, color and ambiance which change quickly. They frequently painted on the roads, and they noted the effect of sunlight on the scenery and the city during the day. There was visibility of brushstrokes, brightness of colors and spontaneity of compositions. Impressionism stressed on the perception but not permanence. It implied that reality is dynamic and it is not static.

Post-Impressionism was created as artists expanded on the Impressionist concepts but aimed to enhance the structure, emotionalism or symbolism of the piece. Other artists were concentrated on powerful geometrical patterns. Expressive color and psychological intensity were stressed by others. Post-Impressionism proves that movements are not mono-polar. Artists can also take completely different directions though they are influenced by the same artists.

Cubism was a drastic break in the conventional representation. Cubist artists did not give one view of objects, instead, they gave a combination of several points of view. Shapes were dismantled and divided into geometric forms and fixed back onto the canvas. This methodology questioned the illusion of the 3D space. Cubism proposed reality could not be represented by only one standpoint. It portrayed novel thinking on time, space and perception.

The movement of art also suggests cultural movement. Artistic priorities are subject to changes in politics, science, philosophy, and technology. Art does not answer the question of a world surrounding artists in even the cases when artists want to avoid the surrounding. It is an intertwining of ideas that overlap, separate and come back. There are artists who revert to the past styles. There are those who incorporate various influences.

Knowing movements gives a background but it is also worthwhile to know individual creativity. Artists tend to defy whatever categories they may be placed in.Art movements are testaments that art is dynamic.It changes in line with new realities.It follows the changing human consciousness.Through Realism to Abstract Expressionism, art is in the process of seeking its purpose.It is seeking its purpose to date.