Modern Art Movements and the Rise of Fascism

Avant-Garde Art

Cubism

Inspired by Cézanne and influenced by physics and Schopenhauer, Cubism transforms the conventional approach using multiple points of view; light fades and reality breaks down into planes. Its works feature traditional themes from a new perspective. Notable artists include:

• Braque: Maintains recognizable elements of reality and uses the technique of collage.
• Juan Gris: Prefers still lifes.
• Léger: Works with geometric shapes.
• Pablo Ruiz Picasso (1881-1973): The best-known Cubist painter.

Expressionism

Expressionists reflect the inner world—mysterious and heartbreaking—using sinuous lines and dark tones to achieve truly disturbing pictures, such as those found in Munich.

Futurism

These artists reject the past and glorify new technical developments, seeking dynamism in their work. Movement is their main theme, represented by artists such as Carrà and Balla.

Dadaism

The vision of the world becomes gloomy, tormented, and disillusioned. The Dada movement embodies this frustration through the absurd, seeking to "destroy" all traditional artistic standards.

Surrealism

Surrealism attempts to shape the world of dreams and the unconscious, with influence extending to painting, poetry, theater, and cinema. Authors seek to challenge and break with social conventions. Two important Spanish painters include:

• Joan Miró (1893-1983): Practiced a lyrical and imaginative surrealism.
• Salvador Dalí (1904-1989): Depicts unreal beings and situations by changing the properties of matter with precise drawing and unreal light.

General Characteristics of Fascism

Fascism is a reaction against liberalism and socialism in crisis. It arose across most of Europe due to economic instability and the desire to curb revolutionary movements. Its social base consists of employees, officers, students, and professionals—the petty bourgeoisie—driven by great social unrest.

The ideology of fascism includes the following tenets:

• National Unity: The people must be united without social differences, supported by nationalistic and racist ideas. The totalitarian state guides and organizes the people.
• Leadership: The nation requires a clear leader (e.g., Hitler, Mussolini, Il Duce).
• Scapegoating: To ensure nothing obstructs the common destiny, the state eliminates scapegoats, whether outside or inside the nation (e.g., Jews, Freemasons, Gypsies).
• Economic Stance: It defends private property against the bourgeoisie while simultaneously promoting anti-capitalism against workers.
• Militarism: The ideal management of everyday life is military-style.

Methods of Government

• Single Party: Identified with the state, containing a minority leader and an active, often paramilitary, organization.
• Irrational Terror: Total and permanent repression to dominate the masses (e.g., Gestapo, OVRA).