European Modernism was a cultural movement that emerged in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, characterized by a break from traditional forms of art, literature, and architecture. It sought to capture the rapidly changing world through innovative techniques and new perspectives, reflecting the effects of industrialization, urbanization, and the aftermath of World War I. Key figures included artists like Pablo Picasso and writers such as James Joyce. This movement encompassed various styles, including Cubism, Futurism, and Dadaism, each challenging conventional aesthetics and exploring abstraction and fragmentation. Modernism also influenced architecture, with designs by Le Corbusier and Walter Gropius emphasizing functionality and simplicity. Overall, European Modernism reshaped cultural expressions and laid the groundwork for contemporary art and thought.