Art By Decade: Artists, Styles And Trends Since The 1920s
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A guide to the art of each decade, from art deco to AI images.
Pick an era below for its artists, its movements, what was changing in art and design, and what people actually had on the wall at home.
Each guide links to that decade's calendar, films, fashion and year pages.
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Pick a decade
- 1920s - Art deco everywhere, surrealism beginning, and Bauhaus teaching design to think. Guide: /blogs/news/1920s-art
- 1930s - Depression-era realism, British modernism at St Ives, and the poster as public art. Guide: /blogs/news/1930s-art
- 1940s - War artists, utility design and abstract expressionism arriving at the end. Guide: /blogs/news/1940s-art
- 1950s - Festival of Britain optimism, contemporary pattern, and abstract expressionism at its peak. Guide: /blogs/news/1950s-art
- 1960s - Pop art, op art and psychedelia - the decade art escaped the gallery. Guide: /blogs/news/1960s-art
- 1970s - Conceptual art, punk graphics and the brown-and-orange decade at home. Guide: /blogs/news/1970s-art
- 1980s - Neo-expressionism, street art and the arrival of design on a computer. Guide: /blogs/news/1980s-art
- 1990s - Young British Artists, rave flyers and design going fully digital. Guide: /blogs/news/1990s-art
- 2000s - Tate Modern opens, street art goes mainstream, and everything is designed on screen. Guide: /blogs/news/2000s-art
- 2010s - Instagram reshapes what art is for, flat design takes over, and immersive shows sell out. Guide: /blogs/news/2010s-art
- 2020s - Galleries closed and reopened, NFTs came and went, and AI images arrived for everyone. Guide: /blogs/news/2020s-art
How art changed
- 1920s-1930s: deco and surrealism, and design taught as a profession for the first time.
- 1940s-1950s: war art and utility, then Festival of Britain colour and pattern.
- 1960s-1970s: pop and op art, then conceptual work and punk graphics.
- 1980s-1990s: neo-expressionism, street art, the Mac, and the Young British Artists.
- 2000s-2020s: Tate Modern, Instagram, NFTs and AI images.
How to write it so it lands
- Pair a decade's art guide with its fashion guide and the party theme writes itself.
- Gallery art and home decor moved at different speeds; check both sections before dressing a room.
- Ask an older relative what picture was over their fireplace. It is a better question than asking their favourite artist.
Where to shop next
- 1920s art and artists
- 1930s art and artists
- 1940s art and artists
- 1950s art and artists
- 1960s art and artists
- 1970s art and artists
- 1980s art and artists
- 1990s art and artists
- 2000s art and artists
- 2010s art and artists
- 2020s art and artists
- The 2020s so far
- The 2010s: the whole decade
- The 2000s: the whole decade
- The 1990s: the whole decade
- The 1980s: the whole decade
- The 1970s: the whole decade
- The 1960s: the whole decade
- The 1950s: the whole decade
- The 1940s: the whole decade
- The 1930s: the whole decade
- The 1920s: the whole decade
- Shop art prints and posters
- Shop greetings cards
- Shop birthday cards
- Shop funny cards
- Milestone birthday cards
- Nostalgia gift shop
- Retro party supplies
- Decade history: key events, politics and culture by era
- Decade books: best novels, authors and reading trends
- Decade art: artists, styles and trends by era
- Decade films: best movies and directors by era
- Decade guides: books, films and TV by era
- Decade fashion: clothes, hair and accessories by era
- Music by decade: albums, artists and songs
- Decade calendar: every year from 1920
- Decade trivia: fun facts by era
- Decade trivia game: play for points
- All decade guides in one place
- Decade food: dishes, restaurants and eating trends
- Decade travel: destinations and holidays
- Decade technology: gadgets and computers
- Decade shopping guides
- Decade games: board, card and video games by era
- Decade quizzes: questions and answers by era
- Decade quiz: test your memory
- Planning the party? Birthday party ideas
- How to make a balloon arch
- Photo booth prop ideas
- Good luck cards
- All guides
Frequently asked questions
What decades are covered?
Every decade from the 1920s to the present, each with its artists, styles, trends and home decor.
Are these real artists and movements?
Yes. Every artist, movement and date is real, with years given where they help. The picks are editorial - nothing invented.
Can I use these for a quiz or a themed party?
Yes, freely. Print them, read them out, copy them - no permission needed.
What is a good example of decade art guides?
"1920s-1930s: deco and surrealism, and design taught as a profession for the first time." is one of 16 examples on this page. Pick the one closest to the tone you want, then add a specific detail of your own - a shared memory, a date, a name - so it reads as yours rather than copied.