American Art

American Art starts before colonization with the many flourishing traditions of Native American art, followed by Spanish Colonial architecture and the accompanying styles in many different types of media.

Early colonial art on the East Coast initially relied on artists from Europe. In the late 18th and early 19th centuries,

American-born and foreign-born artists who migrated to and made America home were primarily painted portraits and landscapes in a style based mainly on European painting.

Furniture-makers imitating English styles and similar artisans were also established in the major cities, but in the English colonies, locally made pottery remained resolutely utilitarian until the 19th century, with the more refined products imported.

But in the later 18th century two U.S. artists, Benjamin West and John Singleton Copley became successful painters in London reflecting the many skilled American artists who stayed in America to make their name.

In the early 19th century American Art Institutions began to be established, and the American Revolution produced a demand for patriotic art, especially history painting, while other artists recorded the frontier country.

A parallel development taking shape in the rural U.S. was the American craft movement, which began as a reaction to the industrial revolution.

As more affluent Americans became very wealthy, the flow of European art to the US began. Art Museums started to be open, and Modern Art from Europe came to the U.S.

After World War II, New York became the center of the art world. Since then American Art have has shaped Modern and Postmodern art. Today, Art in the United States covers a vast range of styles.