Legacy

The idea that art had its own intrinsic value released it from the obligation of having a moral or historical meaning. This rejection of the past and of narrative became vital for modern painters. It was thought that the artist should have freedom of expression - in terms of subject choice and stylistic representation.

This concept of self-expression combined with an eagerness to explore the formal aspects of painting (color, form, and composition), culminated in the Abstract Expressionist movement of the mid-20th century and continues to be a basis of creative exploration for many contemporary artists in the 21st century.