The Early Modern art movement was developed in the late 19^th century and embraced a number of influences such as Impressionism, which was concentrated around Paris, and Expressionism, originating in Germany. Stimulus was derived from a variety of sources: from the introduction to Eastern decorative arts like Japanese printing, to the colouristic experiments of Turner and Delacroix, and the illustration of working-class life by artists such as Millet. Popular opinion was that art had to be the exact illustration of an object, whilst simultaneously demonstrating the ideal. A refute of this idealisation and depiction was consequently viewed as an artistic statement that had both social and economic impact.

The early modern artists did not necessarily associate themselves with cultural progression or radical artistic freedom, but instead viewed their work as presenting society with universal standards and truth. The Impressionists for example, claimed that people only see objects or scenes through the light that they reflect, and thus painters should work in natural light instead of studios to demonstrate the effects of light in their art.

The mounting support and international adoption of the Impressionist style ensured its establishment as an artistic movement, and it is this trait of a working method and style that was to be repeatedly demonstrated in a number of movements throughout the early modern art period.

Our Art on Demand gallery contains the following early modern prints, posters and canvases: